Nonprofit · EIN 20-8038859
FIRST STEP STAFFING
Also known as DAVE SHAFFER
Tax-exempt · ATLANTA, GA 30312
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $53,343,075 | $56,444,943 | -$3,101,868 | $21,468,967 | $24,534,452 | -$3,065,485 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $63,422,854 | $72,503,911 | -$9,081,057 | $21,895,098 | $21,836,948 | $58,150 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $63,863,817 | $63,161,214 | $702,603 | $24,034,616 | $14,873,642 | $9,160,974 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $3,682,744
- of which government grants
- $743,093
- Program service revenue
- $49,583,828
- Investment income
- $58,706
- Other revenue
- $17,797
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $197,570
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $890,498
- Other salaries and wages
- $42,808,292
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $50,432,904
- Professional fundraising fees
- $14,074
- Legal fees
- $108,691
- Accounting fees
- $103,229
- Occupancy
- $473,094
- Travel
- $201,593
- Depreciation
- $941,765
- Program services (functional)
- $53,853,214
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,570,463
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,021,266
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $21,895,098
- Total assets, end of year
- $21,468,967
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $24,534,452
- Net assets, end of year
- -$3,065,485
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $69,765
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- -$4,977,985
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,912,500
- Gross receipts
- $53,343,075
- Employees
- 7,055
- Volunteers
- 17
- Year formed
- 2006
- State of legal domicile
- GA
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amelia Nickerson | CEO Officer | 40 | $393,173 | $0 |
| Matt Miller | COO Officer | 40 | $344,739 | $30,263 |
| Trevor Turner | VP of Northeast Highest-paid employee | 40 | $196,668 | $0 |
| Kellie Brownlow | CMO Highest-paid employee | 40 | $189,168 | $0 |
| Elizabeth Henderson | VP of Operations Highest-paid employee | 40 | $172,990 | $11,142 |
| Miguel Miranda | VP of Southern CA Highest-paid employee | 40 | $154,383 | $0 |
| Karima Rose | VP of Retention Services Highest-paid employee | 40 | $142,433 | $11,142 |
| Shelly Farrell | CFO Officer | 30 | $122,323 | $0 |
| Aubrey Harrell | Chairman Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Joe Guerra | Vice Chair/Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AJ Robinson | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Andrew Huff | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Anitra Walker | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Beth Kost | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Brent Reid | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
10 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Epps | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| James Roberts | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Joel Pascaner | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Kathleen Barton | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Kim Fleming | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Kurt Kargou | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Leigh Wood | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Mark Brodbeck | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Meghan Petrantonio | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Monica Block | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 20 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMELIA NICKERSON | CEO Officer | 40 | $385,710 | $10,432 |
| REGGIE HARMON | CFO Officer | 40 | $384,290 | $5,480 |
| MATT MILLER | COO Officer | 40 | $343,394 | $20,268 |
| TREVOR TURNER | VP, GENERAL MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $215,359 | $2,154 |
| KELLIE BROWNLOW | CMO Highest-paid employee | 40 | $217,423 | $0 |
| ABRAHAM HELLER | VP Highest-paid employee | 40 | $201,195 | $5,833 |
| SHENEVA HARRIS | VP Highest-paid employee | 40 | $181,420 | $20,329 |
| ELIZABETH HENDERSON | VP, OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $173,812 | $8,910 |
| AUBREY HARRELL | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE GUERRA | VICE CHAIR/SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICOLE ARMSTRONG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LARRY BAILEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MONICA BLOCK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK BRODBECK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIM FLEMING | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MEGHAN PETRANTONIO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRENT REID | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AJ ROBINSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANITRA WALKER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LEIGH WOOD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amelia Nickerson | CEO Officer | 40 | $400,000 | $69,293 |
| Matt Miller | COO Officer | 40 | $350,000 | $49,495 |
| Reggie Harmon | CFO Officer | 40 | $350,000 | $49,495 |
| Trevor Turner | VP, General Manager Highest-paid employee | 40 | $170,000 | $34,000 |
| Kellie Brownlow | CMO Highest-paid employee | 40 | $173,835 | $29,466 |
| Elizabeth Henderson | VP of Operations Highest-paid employee | 40 | $144,000 | $28,800 |
| Patricia Byers | Controller Highest-paid employee | 40 | $140,000 | $28,000 |
| Karima Rose | VP, Executive Director Highest-paid employee | 40 | $134,000 | $26,000 |
| Michael Cochran | Chairman Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Aubrey Harrell | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Joe Guerra | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Meghan Petrantonio | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Nicole Armstrong | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Anitra Walker | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Monica Block | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Paulino Barros | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AJ Robinson | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Larry Bailey | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Brent Reid | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Leigh Wood | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Harold T Epps | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 302 DECATUR ST SE STE 103, ATLANTA, GA 30312-1758
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- Amelia Nickerson, 302 Decatur St SE Suite 103, Atlanta, GA 30312
- Signed the 990
- Amelia Nickerson, CEO
- Phone
- (404) 577-3395
- Website
- firststepstaffing.com
- Return prepared by
- Mauldin & Jenkins LLC
Mission
First Step's mission is to end homelessness by helping men, women, and families develop a reliable source of income. We accomplish the mission with two programs. First Step Staffing provides jobs to individuals who can work. First Step Disability Services fast-tracks individuals with severe disabilities for disability income and health insurance.
Program accomplishments
- First Step Staffing, an Alternative Staffing Organization, is designed to eliminate barriers to employment. First Step believes in providing an economic opportunity for everyone. To do so, First Step contracts with businesses and directly employs men and women who have experienced homelessness, veterans, and returning citizens to fill these contract jobs. To help our clients successfully re-enter the job market and support job retention, First Step provides training, job coaching, transportation assistance to/from work, and any necessary uniforms, tools, or equipment. First Step has had a powerful impact on individuals' lives and in the community. Since being founded in Atlanta in 2007, First Step Staffing has helped thousands of individuals re-enter the workforce in its eight current locations (Atlanta, Augusta, Nashville, Orlando, Philadelphia, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Fontana) and paid millions in earned wages.Expenses $52,785,969 · revenue $49,352,938
- First Step Disability Services helps men and women with severe disabilities access Social Security Disability Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Prior to First Step Disability Services, only 19 percent of homeless people who applied for disability are approved. In contrast, over 80 percent of First Step's clients are approved and in an average of 12-24 months (compared to 3-5 years in Georgia). Over the last five years, First Step Disability Services has secured approximately $3,000,000 in retroactive benefits and almost $200,000 in recurring monthly benefits.Expenses $869,675 · revenue $230,890
- First Step operates a housing assistance program in Atlanta, GA and Philadelphia, PA. The program provides direct housing assistance to those facing eviction and/or homeless during their employment with FSS. Housing payments vary and do not extend past 6 months.Expenses $197,570 · grants $197,570
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 20-8038859
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2007
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Employment (J22)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $21,468,967
- Income (IRS master file)
- $53,343,075
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $53,343,075 | $56,444,943 | $21,468,967 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $63,422,854 | $72,503,911 | $21,895,098 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $63,863,817 | $63,161,214 | $24,034,616 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $61,601,643 | $59,275,663 | $25,483,348 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS publishes only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years appear here as 990.tax collects the monthly files. 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS.
Questions about FIRST STEP STAFFING
- What is the EIN of FIRST STEP STAFFING?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of FIRST STEP STAFFING is 20-8038859.
- Is FIRST STEP STAFFING tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2007.
- Are donations to FIRST STEP STAFFING tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does FIRST STEP STAFFING file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of FIRST STEP STAFFING due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did FIRST STEP STAFFING last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of FIRST STEP STAFFING?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names Amelia Nickerson.
- Who are the officers and directors of FIRST STEP STAFFING?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 25 people; 8 received compensation from the organization, the highest $393,173 (Amelia Nickerson, CEO).
- How much revenue does FIRST STEP STAFFING have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $53,343,075, expenses of $56,444,943 and total assets of $21,468,967 at year end.
Other nonprofits in ATLANTA
- INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS EIN 58-0299730 · last filed 990 for 2024
- NOBIS WORKS INC EIN 58-1290439 · last filed 990 for 2025
- BOBBY DODD ENTERPRISES INC EIN 45-4883167 · last filed 990 for 2025
- INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SHEET METAL AIR RAIL & TRANSPORTATION EIN 58-0299716 · last filed 990 for 2024
- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SENIOR MANAGEMENT FORUM INC EIN 36-4252672 · last filed 990 for 2024
- GEORGIA STRATEGIC ALLIANCE FOR NEW DIRECTION AND UNIFIED POLICIES EIN 20-0984437 · last filed 990 for 2024
- CAREERRISE INC EIN 87-0904286 · last filed 990 for 2024
- GEORGIA SHEET METAL JOINT APPRENTICESHIP COMMITTEE EIN 58-0692705 · last filed 990 for 2025