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Stepping Stone Charlottesville

EIN 87-3553555 · Charlottesvle, VA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STEPPING STONE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2021 TO MEET A UNIQUE NEED: TO PROVIDE CHILDREN AGE NEWBORN TO THREE FROM UNDER-RESOURCED FAMILIES WITH ESSENTIALS THAT ENSURE THEIR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND SAFETY. BY FOCUSING ON AN UNDERSERVED DEMOGRAPHIC AND AGE RANGE, WE MAKE SURE THE MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY START LIFE ON THE RIGHT FOOT.

Income
$382,003
Spending
$176,559
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
29 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
1
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$49,582, exec. direct

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $101,730 spent. FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO PAY RENT, UTILITIES, AND GROCERY BILLS OFTEN CAN'T AFFORD THE BASICS THEIR CHILDREN NEED EVERY DAY. AT STEPPING STONE, WE HELP FILL THIS CRITICAL YET OVERLOOKED NEED. TO BUILD AN INVENTORY OF ESSENTIALS FOR FAMILIES, STEPPING STONE RELIES ON THE DONATION OF NEW AND NEARLY NEW ITEMS THROUGH INDIVIDUAL GIVING AND GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY DRIVES. WE SORT, CLEAN, AND BUNDLE ITEMS, AND THEN OUR TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS DELIVERS THEM TO PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND CHILDREN. WHEN USED, HIGH-DEMAND NECESSITIES ARE SCARCE, FOR INSTANCE, STROLLERS AND PACK N PLAYS, WE PURCHASE THEM, THANKS TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY AND GRANT FUNDING. TO IDENTIFY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED, WE WORK WITH A NETWORK OF LOCAL AGENCIES, SHELTERS, HOSPITALS, AND NONPROFITS. PARTNERING WITH EACH OTHER TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF THE WHOLE CHILD, THESE ORGANIZATIONS PERFORM A WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, EARLY EDUCATION INTERVENTION, AT-HOME WELLNESS VISITS, AND REFUGEE RELOCATION AID. THROUGH THIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT, WE CAN MAKE SURE CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO DAILY ESSENTIALS, FROM DIAPERS AND CAR SEATS TO COATS AND SHOES. FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO PAY RENT, UTILITIES, AND GROCERY BILLS OFTEN CAN'T AFFORD THE BASICS THEIR CHILDREN NEED EVERY DAY. AT STEPPING STONE, WE HELP FILL THIS CRITICAL YET OVERLOOKED NEED. TO BUILD AN INVENTORY OF ESSENTIALS FOR FAMILIES, STEPPING STONE RELIES ON THE DONATION OF NEW AND NEARLY NEW ITEMS THROUGH INDIVIDUAL GIVING AND GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY DRIVES. WE SORT, CLEAN, AND BUNDLE ITEMS, AND THEN OUR TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS DELIVERS THEM TO PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND CHILDREN. WHEN USED, HIGH-DEMAND NECESSITIES ARE SCARCE, FOR INSTANCE, STROLLERS AND PACK N PLAYS, WE PURCHASE THEM, THANKS TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY AND GRANT FUNDING. TO IDENTIFY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED, WE WORK WITH A NETWORK OF LOCAL AGENCIES, SHELTERS, HOSPITALS, AND NONPROFITS. PARTNERING WITH EACH OTHER TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF THE WHOLE CHILD, THESE ORGANIZATIONS PERFORM A WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, EARLY EDUCATION INTERVENTION, AT-HOME WELLNESS VISITS, AND REFUGEE RELOCATION AID. THROUGH THIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT, WE CAN MAKE SURE CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO DAILY ESSENTIALS, FROM DIAPERS AND CAR SEATS TO COATS AND SHOES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2023.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.