Overview
What is The First Step?
The First Step is a nonprofit organization situated in Belvidere, Illinois, which primarily focuses on promoting and fostering the overall development of children from low-income families in Boone County, Rockford, and McHenry City. The organization offers an educational environment for children starting at six weeks, continuing up until pre-K. To ensure the children's well-being, they provide nutritious meals, including breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks, along with an added morning snack. In addition, The First Step offers before and after school care, setting up an e-learning environment during school closures due to COVID-19 and being ready to activate it again if needed. They also assist school-age children in searching for resources in specific classes. The organization strives to provide extra-curricular activities, such as music, art, and social experiences, to enrich the children's lives. With a mission to be a supportive agency for working parents whose children come from low-income families, The First Step encourages developmental growth in children between six weeks and eleven years by offering them the necessary tools to foster their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Creating a safe, secure, and nurturing environment allows the children to thrive, learn, and grow. The nonprofit currently employs 34 individuals.
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: 79%, Three-Star out of Four Star rating
The First Step has earned a Three-Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting an overall score of 79%. This rating is based solely on accountability and finance metrics, which indicates a strong emphasis on the financial health and transparency of the organization. The charity scored particularly well in areas such as board composition and governance, receiving full marks for having a majority of independent board members and comprehensive financial oversight practices.
Strengths highlighted include an exemplary conflict of interest policy and the presence of a whistleblower policy, both of which contribute to strong governance. Additionally, The First Step has demonstrated effective management of its program expenses, with 68.67% of its expenditures directed towards its mission-related activities. This suggests a commitment to maximizing the impact of donor contributions.
However, the organization faces challenges in its financial ratios, specifically a liabilities-to-assets ratio of 194.38%, which could indicate potential financial strain. While the charity's governance and financial oversight are commendable, addressing its liabilities may be important for ensuring long-term sustainability and operational effectiveness. Overall, The First Step shows promise as a nonprofit, but there are areas in financial management that will require attention.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
Is The First Step legitimate?
The First Step is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. The First Step submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $55,068
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $609,306
For more financial information, click here
What is the mission statement of The First Step?
The mission of The First Step, as a supportive agency, is to cater to the needs of working parents whose children originate from low-income families or single-parent households. They aim to foster the developmental growth of children aged six weeks to eleven years by equipping them with the necessary tools to enhance their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. The organization provides a safe, secure, and nurturing environment, encouraging the children to explore freely, thereby enabling them to thrive, learn, and grow effectively.
Who is the CEO of The First Step?
Sue Wilson is the Executive Director of The First Step.
What is the revenue of The First Step?
The First Step's revenue in 2022 was $891,652.
Who are the executives of The First Step and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at The First Step during 2022 was $19,540. There are 34 employees and 6 volunteers at The First Step.
Here are 7 key members and their salaries:
- Compensation: $55,069
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
Where can I find the form 990 for The First Step?
The First Step's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.
Mission Statement of The First Step
The First Step is a supportive agency dedicated to aiding working parents whose families fall under low and/or single income categories. Its primary mission is to provide daycare services, focusing on children aged six weeks to eleven years. The organization's goal is to foster the holistic development of these children by offering them the necessary tools for social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. By creating a safe, secure, and nurturing environment, The First Step enables children to thrive, learn, and grow, encouraging them to explore freely. The organization's approach is centered on empowering children, providing them with the foundation they need to flourish in their formative years.
Shop smarter and support your favorite cause with the Give Freely browser extension. Save money with coupons and donate to charity with a single click. Download now!
Impact
October, 2024
The First Step significantly impacts low-income families by providing essential daycare services that promote the holistic development of children. Catering to families in Boone County, Rockford, and McHenry, the center supports children from as young as six weeks up to pre-kindergarten, ensuring that they receive a strong educational foundation.
The center prioritizes not only academic learning but also offers nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day, contributing to the children's physical health. By providing before and after school care, The First Step creates a stable environment for school-age children, which has been particularly valuable during disruptions like COVID-19, where they adapted to facilitate e-learning.
Moreover, the center enriches children's lives with extracurricular activities such as music, art, and social experiences, fostering their emotional and social growth. This nurturing approach allows children to thrive in a safe environment while equipping them with crucial tools for their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Overall, The First Step serves as a vital resource for working parents, enabling their children to access quality early education and support.
This information is meant to be a general summary of The First Step. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.
- Program Service Revenue: $176,332
- Gross Receipts: $893,613
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $15,614
- Total Liabilities: $18,899
- Net Assets: -$3,285
Want to help this charity, for free? You can click here to learn more about Give Freely
Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
PARENT FEES
Revenue
$176,332
Organization Details
Founding Year
1972
Phone
(815) 544-6560Principal Officer
Sue Wilson
Main Address
620 LOGAN AVE, BELVIDERE, IL, 61008
NTEE Category
Code: P330 - Human services
If you are a representative of The First Step and wish to learn more about how Give Freely can help you raise funds, please click here: https://givefreely.com/nonprofits/. Our services are offered at no cost to your organization.