First Step Staffing
First Step Staffing consistently grows revenue and maintains strong financial health with zero reported officer compensation.
EIN: 208038859 · Atlanta, GA · NTEE: J22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is First Step Staffing Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
First Step Staffing directs 95% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About First Step Staffing
First Step Staffing (EIN: 208038859) is a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, GA, classified under NTEE code J22. The organization reported total revenue of $63.4M and total assets of $21.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of First Step Staffing's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
First Step Staffing is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 28.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $63.9M |
| Total Expenses | $63.2M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$703K |
| Total Assets | $24.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $14.9M |
| Net Assets | $9.2M |
| Operating Margin | 1.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 61.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 4.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, First Step Staffing reported a surplus of $703K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 4.6 months of operating reserves (adequate), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 61.9% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), First Step Staffing's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +3.7% | +6.6% | -5.7% |
| 2022 | -10.3% | -11.2% | +7.9% |
| 2021 | +16.2% | +12.2% | -1.1% |
| 2020 | +19.0% | +24.1% | -14.9% |
| 2019 | +19.8% | +16.7% | +56.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates First Step Staffing with a Mission Score of 92 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 3%
- programs: 95%
- fundraising: 2%
According to IRS 990 filings, First Step Staffing allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 3%, programs: 95%, fundraising: 2%. With 95% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $703K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 61.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
First Step Staffing consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through non-officer roles, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size and revenue ($63M+).
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of First Step Staffing's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed breakdown on program vs. administrative expenses in provided data (though inferred efficiency is high)
- Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation for an organization of this scale, which might warrant further inquiry into how leadership is compensated if not through officer roles.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for First Step Staffing:
- Exceptional revenue growth from $1.5M in 2014 to over $63M in 2023.
- Consistent positive net income, indicating sound financial management.
- Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a highly mission-driven approach.
- Strong asset base ($24M in 2023) relative to liabilities, indicating financial stability.
- High operational efficiency, with expenses closely tracking revenue, implying most funds go towards mission-related activities.
Frequently Asked Questions about First Step Staffing
Is First Step Staffing a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, First Step Staffing (EIN: 208038859) some concerns. Mission Score: 92/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does First Step Staffing spend its money?
First Step Staffing directs 95% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to First Step Staffing tax-deductible?
First Step Staffing is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208038859). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is First Step Staffing a good charity?
Based on its financial data, First Step Staffing appears to be a very good charity. It demonstrates strong financial health, consistent growth, and remarkably low administrative overhead, especially with 0% reported officer compensation. Its high program spending efficiency suggests effective use of funds towards its mission.
How has First Step Staffing's revenue grown over time?
First Step Staffing has experienced significant revenue growth, increasing from $1,502,184 in 2014 to $63,863,817 in 2023, demonstrating a substantial expansion of its operations and impact.
What is the organization's approach to executive compensation?
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation in all available IRS 990 filings, which is a highly transparent and mission-focused approach, suggesting that top leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other non-officer classifications.
How does First Step Staffing manage its liabilities?
While liabilities have fluctuated, they have generally remained manageable relative to assets. For example, in 2023, liabilities were $14,873,642 against assets of $24,034,616, indicating a healthy asset-to-liability ratio.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for First Step Staffing showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), First Step Staffing's revenue has grown by 1964.7%, moving from $3.1M to $63.9M. Total assets increased by 2396.5% over the same period, from $963K to $24.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 2795.5%, from $2.2M to $63.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), First Step Staffing reported a surplus of $703K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $14.9M in liabilities against $24.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 61.9%), resulting in net assets of $9.2M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $63.9M | $63.2M | $24.0M | $14.9M | — | — |
| 2022 | $61.6M | $59.3M | $25.5M | $17.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $68.6M | $66.8M | $23.6M | $17.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $59.1M | $59.5M | $23.9M | $19.6M | — | — |
| 2019 | $49.7M | $47.9M | $28.1M | $23.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $41.5M | $41.1M | $18.0M | $14.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $22.9M | $22.1M | $10.5M | $7.8M | — | — |
| 2016 | $21.1M | $20.2M | $8.6M | $7.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $4.0M | $3.8M | $9.1M | $8.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.5M | $1.8M | $420K | $14K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.8M | $1.8M | $675K | $19K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2.1M | $2.1M | $776K | $52K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $3.1M | $2.2M | $963K | $197K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $63.9M, expenses of $63.2M, and assets of $24.0M (revenue +3.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $61.6M, expenses of $59.3M, and assets of $25.5M (revenue -10.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $68.6M, expenses of $66.8M, and assets of $23.6M (revenue +16.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $59.1M, expenses of $59.5M, and assets of $23.9M (revenue +19.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $49.7M, expenses of $47.9M, and assets of $28.1M (revenue +19.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $41.5M, expenses of $41.1M, and assets of $18.0M (revenue +80.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $22.9M, expenses of $22.1M, and assets of $10.5M (revenue +8.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $21.1M, expenses of $20.2M, and assets of $8.6M (revenue +424.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $9.1M (revenue +167.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $420K (revenue -15.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $675K (revenue -15.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $776K (revenue -32.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $963K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for First Step Staffing:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for First Step Staffing is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.