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Steps 2 the Future Childcare NFP

EIN 92-0562293 · Calumet City, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceWeak41 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE SELF-ASSURANCE AND INDEPENDENCE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND TO PROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL, PROFESSIONAL, AND CONTEMPORARY CHILDCARE FACILITY. WE AIM TO PROMOTE EDUCATION AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR CHILDREN. WE STRIVE TO SERVE THE WHOLE CHILD AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Income
$733,897
Spending
$796,624
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 88%
Employees
7

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $720,267 spent. AFC ACTION FOR CHILDREN STATE FUNDED PROGRAM IS HOW WE RECEIVE OUR FUNDING. HEALTHY START STATE FOOD PROGRAM: THE TEACHERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER SEEING THIS PROGRAM MAKING SURE THAT ALL PAPERWORK IS FILLED OUT CORRECTLY AND TIMELY. WE SERVE BREAKFAST, LUNCH, SNACK, AND DINNER FOR EVENING CHILDCARE. PAPERWORK MUST BE FILLED OUT AND SENT IN TO THE STATE WHICH THEN PROVIDES FUNDING BACK INTO OUR PROGRAM FOR THE NEXT MONTH SO KIDS CAN EAT FREE. IF THIS IS NOT DONE CORRECTLY THE KIDS WILL NOT HAVE A FOOD PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM IS VERY IMPORTANT AND IS A VERY NEEDED PROGRAM FOR THE KIDS AND PARENTS. STEPS TO THE FUTURE CHILDCARE PROVIDERS PROVIDE A FOOD PROGRAM FOR ALL THE KIDS. A STATE FUNDED PROGRAM HEALTHILY START FOOD PROGRAM. PROVIDED 3 HOT NUTRITIOUS WELL BALANCED MEALS, WE SERVED BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, AND A EVENING SNACK. WITH THIS PROGRAM ALL KIDS ARE ABLE TO EAT LUNCH FOR FREE, ONLY BY FILLING OUT A FORM AT THE PROVIDER SITE THAT WE SEND INTO THE STATE. ONCE WE RECEIVE THE LETTER BACK THEY CAN BEGIN TO USE THE SERVICE PROVIDED WITH NO FEE TO THE PARENTS. AFC ACTION FOR CHILDREN STATE FUNDED PROGRAM IS HOW WE RECEIVE OUR FUNDING. HEALTHY START STATE FOOD PROGRAM: THE TEACHERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER SEEING THIS PROGRAM MAKING SURE THAT ALL PAPERWORK IS FILLED OUT CORRECTLY AND TIMELY. WE SERVE BREAKFAST, LUNCH, SNACK, AND DINNER FOR EVENING CHILDCARE. PAPERWORK MUST BE FILLED OUT AND SENT IN TO THE STATE WHICH THEN PROVIDES FUNDING BACK INTO OUR PROGRAM FOR THE NEXT MONTH SO KIDS CAN EAT FREE. IF THIS IS NOT DONE CORRECTLY THE KIDS WILL NOT HAVE A FOOD PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM IS VERY IMPORTANT AND IS A VERY NEEDED PROGRAM FOR THE KIDS AND PARENTS. STEPS TO THE FUTURE CHILDCARE PROVIDERS PROVIDE A FOOD PROGRAM FOR ALL THE KIDS. A STATE FUNDED PROGRAM HEALTHILY START FOOD PROGRAM. PROVIDED 3 HOT NUTRITIOUS WELL BALANCED MEALS, WE SERVED BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, AND A EVENING SNACK. WITH THIS PROGRAM ALL KIDS ARE ABLE TO EAT LUNCH FOR FREE, ONLY BY FILLING OUT A FORM AT THE PROVIDER SITE THAT WE SEND INTO THE STATE. ONCE WE RECEIVE THE LETTER BACK THEY CAN BEGIN TO USE THE SERVICE PROVIDED WITH NO FEE TO THE PARENTS.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2022.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.