Nonprofit · EIN 34-0965350
STEPFORWARD
Tax-exempt · CLEVELAND, OH 44114
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 31, 2025 | 990 | $44,227,967 | $43,814,075 | $413,892 | $26,376,352 | $21,785,214 | $4,591,138 |
| January 31, 2024 | 990 | $53,256,619 | $54,010,201 | -$753,582 | $22,778,842 | $18,601,596 | $4,177,246 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended January 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $43,713,625
- of which government grants
- $43,496,036
- Program service revenue
- $473,489
- Investment income
- $0
- Other revenue
- $40,853
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $4,976,870
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $483,399
- Other salaries and wages
- $17,933,959
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $25,448,261
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $45,682
- Accounting fees
- $102,500
- Occupancy
- $3,196,342
- Travel
- $410,600
- Depreciation
- $622,908
- Program services (functional)
- $39,157,931
- Management and general (functional)
- $4,620,010
- Fundraising (functional)
- $36,134
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $22,778,842
- Total assets, end of year
- $26,376,352
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $21,785,214
- Net assets, end of year
- $4,591,138
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $2,796,114
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $3,376,680
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,214,458
- Gross receipts
- $44,227,967
- Employees
- 437
- Volunteers
- 1,192
- Year formed
- 1964
- State of legal domicile
- OH
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 January 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JACKLYN CHISHOLM | PRESIDENT & CEO Officer | 40 | $215,719 | $38,024 |
| DR THEA WILSON | VP OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $186,388 | $35,391 |
| DEREK CLUSE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $166,757 | $43,352 |
| MADELINE CORCHADO | VP OF HUMAN RESOURCES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $178,483 | $31,484 |
| JACQUELINE BOEHNLEIN | VP OF COMMUNITY SERVICES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $169,269 | $32,507 |
| CHERYL ROSS APPLINE | SENIOR DIRECTOR, PLANNING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $137,573 | $41,167 |
| DOUGLAS BENNETT | VP OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $155,278 | $22,033 |
| LARESE PURNELL | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JUDGE MICHAEL J RYAN | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CECIL LEE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EUGENIA CASH-KIRKLAND | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CASSANDRA BROWN-COLLIER | BOARD MEMBER (TERMED SEPTEMBER) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE CURRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEIDRA DAVIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| YOMARIE GONZALEZ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
12 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER KELLY | BOARD MEMBER (TERMED NOVEMBER) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KIRA KEWKO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARIKO LEWIS-HARPER | BOARD MEMBER (TERMED AUGUST) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ASHLEY MILES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MOORE | BOARD MEMBER (TERMED DECEMBER) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANTHONY PEEBLES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JERRY PRIMM | BOARD MEMBER (TERMED AUGUST) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ADAM ROTH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MILES SENIOR | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| QIANNA TIDMORE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHERELLE L TUCKER | BOARD MEMBER (TERMED DECEMBER) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOYCE WALKER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended January 31, 2024: 26 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JACKLYN CHISHOLM | PRESIDENT & CEO Officer | 40 | $204,121 | $51,749 |
| DEREK CLUSE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $189,398 | $46,455 |
| DR THEA WILSON | VP OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $183,485 | $35,883 |
| MADELINE CORCHADO | VP OF HUMAN RESOURCES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $168,224 | $30,933 |
| CHERYL ROSS APPLINE | SENIOR DIRECTOR, PLANNING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $135,221 | $44,186 |
| PATRICIA SIMS | PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $138,963 | $35,912 |
| DOUGLAS BENNETT | VP OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $152,308 | $21,570 |
| LARESE PURNELL | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHRYN HALL | CHAIR (TERMED SEPTEMBER) Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JUDGE MICHAEL J RYAN | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CECIL LEE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN GALLAGHER | TREASURER (TERMED MAY) Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EUGENIA CASH-KIRKLAND | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CASSANDRA BROWN-COLLIER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE CURRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEIDRA DAVIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| YOMARIE GONZALEZ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRISTOPHER KELLY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIRA KEWKO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARIKO LEWIS-HARPER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MOORE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JERRY PRIMM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ADAM ROTH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| QIANNA TIDMORE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERELLE L TUCKER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOYCE WALKER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1801 SUPERIOR AVE STE 400, CLEVELAND, OH 44114-2135
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- JACKLYN CHISHOLM, 1801 SUPERIOR AVENUE 400, CLEVELAND, OH 44114
- Signed the 990
- JACKLYN CHISHOLM, PRESIDENT & CEO
- Phone
- (216) 696-9077
- Return prepared by
- WIPFLI ADVISORY LLC
Mission
STEP FORWARD'S MISSION IS TO PROPEL EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR MULTIPLE GENERATIONS THROUGHOUT CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
Program accomplishments
- 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.Expenses $25,397,942 · revenue $14,690
- 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.Expenses $7,361,597 · grants $2,420,636
- 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.Expenses $5,794,569 · grants $2,539,335 · revenue $458,799
- FOOD PROGRAMSExpenses $581,351 · grants $16,899
- OTHER PROGRAMSExpenses $22,472
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 January, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 31, 2026 | June 15, 2026 | Not on file |
| 2024 | January 31, 2025 | June 16, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | January 31, 2024 | June 17, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 34-0965350
- 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
- 1966
- Accounting year ends
- January
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Human services (P200)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $26,376,352
- Income (IRS master file)
- $44,227,967
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | January 2025 | $44,227,967 | $43,814,075 | $26,376,352 | XML |
| 990 | January 2024 | $53,256,619 | $54,010,201 | $22,778,842 | XML |
| 990 | January 2023 | $69,715,341 | $69,631,923 | $27,745,416 | IRS |
| 990 | January 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | January 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | January 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | January 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | January 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 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 (search EIN 34-0965350).
Questions about STEPFORWARD
- What is the EIN of STEPFORWARD?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of STEPFORWARD is 34-0965350.
- Is STEPFORWARD tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1966.
- Are donations to STEPFORWARD tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does STEPFORWARD 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 STEPFORWARD due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending January 31, 2026) is due June 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did STEPFORWARD last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended January 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of STEPFORWARD?
- The 990 for the year ended January 31, 2025 names JACKLYN CHISHOLM.
- Who are the officers and directors of STEPFORWARD?
- The 990 for the year ended January 31, 2025 lists 27 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $215,719 (JACKLYN CHISHOLM, PRESIDENT & CEO).
- How much revenue does STEPFORWARD have?
- On its 990 for the year ended January 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $44,227,967, expenses of $43,814,075 and total assets of $26,376,352 at year end.
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