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Stepping Stone of San Diego

EIN 95-3080619 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE STEPPING STONE OF SAN DIEGO PROVIDES ALCOHOL AND DRUG REHABILITATION SERVICES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON SERVING THE NEEDS OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 65%
Employees
45
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$175,934, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 72% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 77 out of 100.

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $2.4 million spent. THE RECOVERY HOME PROGRAM CENTERS AROUND MOVING CLIENTS THROUGH A PROGRESSIVE RECOVERY JOURNEY, TAILORED TO THEIR TREATMENT NEEDS. THE PROCESS STARTS WITH ACCLIMATION TO THE PROGRAM, AND THEN PROVIDES A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL LONG-TERM RECOVERY.
  2. $276,077 spent. FOLLOWING THEIR THREE-MONTH RESIDENTIAL STAY, CLIENTS PARTICIPATE IN A 12-WEEK AFTER-CARE PROGRAM WHICH HELPS TO FACILITATE A SMOOTHER TRANSITION FROM THE STRUCTURE OF RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, CLIENTS IN AFTER-CARE PROGRAM HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROCESS TRANSITIONAL ISSUES AND CONCERNS, SHARE RESOURCES, NETWORK, AND ENGAGE IN MUTUAL RECOVERY SUPPORT.
  3. $961,050 spent. THE STEPPING OUT ALCOHOL AND DRUG OUTPATIENT TREATMENT PROGRAM SERVES THE LGBTQ AND HIV/AIDS-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 November 6, 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 June 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 June 1977.

    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 November 4, 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.