Quick charity verification for Steps Coalition (EIN: 113790429)
Verdict: Steps Coalition appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$691KRevenue
$429KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant deficit in the latest filing (2023: Expenses $1,034,024 vs. Revenue $482,782)
High year-over-year revenue and expense volatility, indicating potential funding instability
Substantial decrease in assets from 2022 to 2023 (from $1,296,215 to $415,729)
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for mission
Demonstrated ability to secure significant funding in certain years (e.g., $1,414,675 in 2022)
Relatively low liabilities in most years, suggesting prudent debt management
Spending Breakdown
How Steps Coalition allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Steps Coalition
Is Steps Coalition a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Steps Coalition (EIN: 113790429) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Steps Coalition a good charity to donate to?
Steps Coalition has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $691K. Assets: $429K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Steps Coalition?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Steps Coalition is 113790429. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Steps Coalition spend its money?
Steps Coalition allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Steps Coalition's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Steps Coalition's tax-exempt status using EIN 113790429 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
Steps Coalition demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past several years. While the organization reported significant revenue in 2022 ($1,414,675), the latest filing for 2023 shows expenses ($1,034,024) significantly exceeding revenue ($482,782), leading to a substantial deficit. This pattern of revenue and expense volatility, including a large deficit in 2018 ($161,967 revenue vs. $670,502 expenses) and a surplus in 2021 ($684,822 revenue vs. $178,991 expenses), suggests potential challenges in consistent financial management or reliance on unpredictable funding cycles. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive indicator of resource allocation towards its mission rather than executive pay.
The organization's asset base has also shown considerable fluctuation, peaking at $1,296,215 in 2022 and then dropping to $415,729 in 2023. Liabilities have generally remained manageable, though they increased in 2023 to $190,896. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings is a strong point for transparency and efficiency regarding leadership costs. However, the significant year-over-year swings in financial metrics warrant closer examination to understand the underlying operational stability and funding model.
Overall, Steps Coalition exhibits a commitment to minimizing executive overhead, which is commendable. However, the inconsistent financial results, particularly the recent deficit in 2023, raise questions about long-term sustainability and financial planning. Donors might want to investigate the reasons behind these fluctuations and how the organization plans to address future financial stability.