STEP FORWARD

EIN: 340965350 501(c)(3) Human Services

CLEVELAND, OH

Total Revenue
$44,227,967
Total Expenses
$43,814,075
Total Assets
$26,376,352
Net Assets
$4,591,138
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1964
Legal Domicile
OH
Principal Officer
JACKLYN CHISHOLM
Phone
2166969077
Tax Period
2024-02-01 to 2025-01-31

STEP FORWARD, founded in 1964, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Human Services sector that reported $44.2M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue decreased 17% compared to the prior year.

Mission

STEP FORWARD'S MISSION IS TO PROPEL EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR MULTIPLE GENERATIONS THROUGHOUT CUYAHOGA COUNTY.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $25,397,942 Revenue: $14,690

CHILD EDUCATION - STEP FORWARD'S HEAD START PROGRAM SERVED 1,741 CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE GREATER CLEVELAND COMMUNITY. IN PARTNERSHIP, STEP FORWARD AND ITS PARTNERS DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY EARLY...

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CHILD EDUCATION - STEP FORWARD'S HEAD START PROGRAM SERVED 1,741 CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE GREATER CLEVELAND COMMUNITY. IN PARTNERSHIP, STEP FORWARD AND ITS PARTNERS DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS IN SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENTS. IN ADDITION TO AN ENGAGING PRE-SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, STEP FORWARD HEAD START PROVIDES HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND DENTAL SCREENINGS, NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND FAMILY LITERACY OPPORTUNITIES TO INCORPORATE THE ENTIRE FAMILY INTO THE SPIRIT OF GROWTH AND RESPONSIBILITY.STEP FORWARD'S EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM INCORPORATES THE BELIEF THAT EDUCATION STARTS WHEN LIFE BEGINS. STEP FORWARD IS A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THE YOUNGEST OF CHILDREN AND THOSE WHO HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN BORN YET. STEP FORWARD SERVED 129 INFANTS, TODDLERS AND PREGNANT WOMEN, THROUGH THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES PRENATAL EXAMINATIONS, PARENTING CLASSES, AND QUALITY INFANT CARE TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES.

Program 2
Expenses: $7,361,597 Revenue: $0

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND HOUSING ASSISTANCESTEP FORWARD HELPS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY OVERCOME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY. IN 2024, THE AGENCY...

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COMMUNITY SERVICE AND HOUSING ASSISTANCESTEP FORWARD HELPS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY OVERCOME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY. IN 2024, THE AGENCY DISTRIBUTED $4 MILLION IN REMAINING COVID RELIEF FUNDS, BRINGING TOTAL HOME RELIEF ASSISTANCE TO MORE THAN $36 MILLION SINCE THE PANDEMIC. STEP FORWARD ALSO PROVIDED 400 FREE TAX RETURNS, SUPPORTED 83 MOTHERS THROUGH PARENTING AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND HELPED MORE THAN 250 CLIENTS BUILD JOB SKILLS AND CAREER READINESS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS, TRAINING, AND OUTREACH EVENTS.

Program 3
Expenses: $5,794,569 Revenue: $458,799

ENERGY ASSISTANCE -STEP FORWARD HELPS LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL UTILITY SERVICES THROUGH THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND PERCENTAGE OF INCOME PAYMENT PLAN PROGRAMS. IN 2024, THE AGENCY...

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ENERGY ASSISTANCE -STEP FORWARD HELPS LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL UTILITY SERVICES THROUGH THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND PERCENTAGE OF INCOME PAYMENT PLAN PROGRAMS. IN 2024, THE AGENCY RECEIVED 34,580 APPLICATIONS AND PROVIDED SERVICES TO 34,134 INDIVIDUALS, WITH 98.7 PERCENT RECEIVING ASSISTANCE. STEP FORWARD DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN $6.6 MILLION IN TOTAL AID, INCLUDING ENERGY, CRISIS, AND WATER ASSISTANCE, ENSURING HOUSEHOLDS REMAINED SAFE AND CONNECTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

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Trantor Score

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $43,713,625
Program Service Revenue $473,489
Investment Income $0
Other Revenue $40,853
TOTAL REVENUE $44,227,967

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $4,976,870
Salaries & Benefits $25,448,261
Fundraising Expenses $36,134
Program Expenses $39,157,931
Other Expenses $13,388,944
TOTAL EXPENSES $43,814,075

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $44,227,967 $53,256,619 -0.2%
Expenses $43,814,075 $54,010,201 -0.2%
Net Income $413,892 $-753,582 -1.5%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Liquidity & Cash Position

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Governance

Voting Members
14
Independent Members
14
Employees
437
Volunteers
1192

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
6
$463,852
Total Directors
20
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
5
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
LARESE PURNELL CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
JUDGE MICHAEL J RYAN VICE CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
CECIL LEE TREASURER 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
EUGENIA CASH-KIRKLAND SECRETARY 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
CASSANDRA BROWN-COLLIER BOARD MEMBER (TERMED SEPTEMBER) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHELLE CURRY BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DEIDRA DAVIS BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
YOMARIE GONZALEZ BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHRISTOPHER KELLY BOARD MEMBER (TERMED NOVEMBER) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
KIRA KEWKO BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARIKO LEWIS-HARPER BOARD MEMBER (TERMED AUGUST) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ASHLEY MILES BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL MOORE BOARD MEMBER (TERMED DECEMBER) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ANTHONY PEEBLES BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JERRY PRIMM BOARD MEMBER (TERMED AUGUST) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ADAM ROTH BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MILES SENIOR BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
QIANNA TIDMORE BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SHERELLE L TUCKER BOARD MEMBER (TERMED DECEMBER) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOYCE WALKER BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JACKLYN CHISHOLM PRESIDENT & CEO 40.00
Officer
$215,719 $38,024 $253,743
DEREK CLUSE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40.00
Officer
$166,757 $43,352 $210,109
DR THEA WILSON VP OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES 40.00
Highest
$186,388 $35,391 $221,779
MADELINE CORCHADO VP OF HUMAN RESOURCES 40.00
Highest
$178,483 $31,484 $209,967
JACQUELINE BOEHNLEIN VP OF COMMUNITY SERVICES 40.00
Highest
$169,269 $32,507 $201,776
DOUGLAS BENNETT VP OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS 40.00
Highest
$155,278 $22,033 $177,311
CHERYL ROSS APPLINE SENIOR DIRECTOR, PLANNING 40.00
Highest
$137,573 $41,167 $178,740
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $44,227,967 $43,814,075 $26,376,352 $413,892
2024 $53,256,619 $54,010,201 $22,778,842 $-753,582
2023 $69,715,341 $69,631,923 $27,745,416 $83,418
2022 $54,230,994 $54,908,720 $18,985,030 $-677,726
2021 $42,522,663 $41,537,145 $13,186,804 $985,518
2020 $34,819,536 $35,067,166 $8,893,851 $-247,630
2019 $32,080,182 $32,681,083 $9,212,274 $-600,901
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