Steps
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
STEPS (FORMERLY TODDLER LEARNING CENTER) PROVIDES THERAPY, EDUCATION, PARENT SUPPORT AND RESOURCES COORDINATION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS IN ANACORTES, ISLAND AND SAN JUAN COUNTIES IN WASHINGTON STATE.
- Income
- $2.9 million
- Spending
- $2.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 2.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 90%
- Employees
- 33
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $145,021, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $2.7 million spent. WE ARE THE ONLY NEURODEVELOPMENT CENTER PROVIDING EARLY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN BIRTH TO AGE 3 WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS IN ANACORTES,ISLAND AND SAN JUAN COUNTIES IN WASHINGTON STATE. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY SPEECH THERAPISTS, MOTOR THERAPISTS, INFANT TODDLER EDUCATORS, PARENT SUPPORT SPECIALISTS, INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST, AND FAMILY RESOURCES COORDINATORS. EARLY SUPPORT SERVICES BUILD UPON FAMILY STRENGTHS BY PROVIDING THERAPY, EDUCATION, PARENT SUPPORT, AND RESOURCES COORDINATION TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND/OR DISABILITIES THROUGH EVERYDAY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. 2024 OUTCOMES POSITIVE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL: 63.06% OF KIDS HAVE SHOWN SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THEIR RATE OF GROWTH AND 71.93% WERE FUNCTIONING LIKE SAME AGED PEERS. ACQUIRING AND USING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: 78.34% OF KIDS HAVE SHOWN SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THEIR RATE OF GROWTH AND 70.61% WERE FUNCTIONING LIKE SAME AGE PEERS. USE OF APPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS: 71.21% OF KIDS HAVE SHOWN SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THEIR RATE OF GROWTH AND 75.44% WERE FUNCTIONING LIKE SAME AGE PEERS. 2024 UPDATES LAUNCHED ABA SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH AN AUTISM DIAGNOSIS ON WHIDBEY ISLAND AGES BIRTH TO ENTERING KINDERGARTEN. EXPANDED INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH AND CHERISH SERVICES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN THROUGH AGE 5 IN ISLAND COUNTY. HIRED 4 NEW PROVIDERS INCLUDING TWO ABA THERAPISTS, ONE FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST, ONE INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST, AND A DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION TRAINING EQUIPPED STEPS TEAM WITH SKILLS TO RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS BIAS, FOSTER EMPATHY, AND STRENGTHENED OUR COMMITMENT TO CREATING AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR FAMILIES AND COWORKERS ALIKE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.