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Step by Step Family Support Center

EIN 91-1871945 · Puyallup, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EQUIPPING PREGNANT WOMEN, MOTHERS, AND FAMILIES TO POSITIVELY IMPACT GENERATIONS.

Income
$15.2 million
Spending
$12.1 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
-5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
279
Volunteers
827
Highest pay
$258,919, president/executive direct

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    9 of 15

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

  • 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, 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 (2)
  1. $1.8 million spent. STEP BY STEP HELPS FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY, BY GIVING BABIES A HEALTHY START AND MOMS THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO THRIVE. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS BOTH MATERNITY SUPPORT SERVICES AND INFANT CASE MANAGEMENT, USING A HOLISTIC APPROACH THAT INCLUDES HOME VISITS FROM REGISTERED NURSES, LICENSED COUNSELORS, AND REGISTERED DIETITIANS. STEP BY STEP IS ALSO PROUD TO OFFER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUPS, JOB TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS, AND PEER MENTORSHIP, WHILE ALSO FULFILLING TANGIBLE NEEDS SUCH AS CAR SEATS, STROLLERS, AND FOOD.
  2. $9.5 million spent. FARM 12 RESTAURANT & EVENTS IS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE OF STEP BY STEP FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER. FARM 12 RESTAURANT & EVENTS WAS BUILT TO PRESERVE A HISTORIC PIECE OF FARMLAND, ENRICH LIVES AND HOLISTICALLY STRENGTHEN FAMILIES, CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES, BE A GATHERING PLACE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND ULTIMATELY, PRODUCE PROFITS TO FUND THE MISSION OF STEP BY STEP. THE ENTITY ACTIVELY ENGAGES WITH CLIENTS OF STEP BY STEP TO TAKE ON ROLES AT FARM 12 TO ALLOW THE CLIENTS TO GAIN JOB AND LIFE SKILLS AS PART OF THE PROGRAM.

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

  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 2024.

    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 February 1998.

    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.