Nonprofit · EIN 95-4704879
A STEP TO FREEDOM
Tax-exempt (reinstated) · LOS ANGELES, CA 90003
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $5,281,925 | $4,962,195 | $319,730 | $1,123,848 | $595,674 | $528,174 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $3,166,800 | $3,287,472 | -$120,672 | $683,901 | $688,433 | -$4,532 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $5,278,858
- of which government grants
- $4,318,710
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $2,598
- Other revenue
- $469
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $796
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $124,512
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,991,598
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $2,599,558
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $16,172
- Accounting fees
- $141,431
- Occupancy
- $839,689
- Travel
- $8,670
- Depreciation
- $4,580
- Program services (functional)
- $4,131,276
- Management and general (functional)
- $694,426
- Fundraising (functional)
- $136,493
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $683,901
- Total assets, end of year
- $1,123,848
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $595,674
- Net assets, end of year
- $528,174
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $64,133
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $528,174
- Gross receipts
- $5,281,925
- Employees
- 155
- Volunteers
- 200
- Year formed
- 1991
- State of legal domicile
- CA
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, 2024, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KENYA CROOM | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $118,558 | $5,954 |
| JIMAR WILSON | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KENDEL CROOM | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SEBASTIAN LOZANO | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KARIS JONES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LAKEESHA ALFORD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BRANDAN ALDRIDGE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 7 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KENYA CROOM | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $91,873 |
| JIMAR WILSON | BOARD PRESIDENT Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| KENDEL CROOM | TREASURER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| SEBASTIAN LOZANO | SECRETARY Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| KARIS JONES | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| LAKEESHA ALFORD | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BRANDAN ALDRIDGE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 156 E 104TH ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90003-4722
- In care of
- % KENYA CROOM
- Mailing address (990-N for 2008)
- 1665 S Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles CA 90006
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- KENYA CROOM, 164 W 80TH ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90003
- Principal officer (990-N for 2008)
- Kenya Kirkland, 1665 S Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles CA 90006
- Signed the 990
- KENYA CROOM, PRESIDENT & CEO
- Phone
- (323) 696-9727
- Website
- WWW.ASTEPTOFREEDOM.ORG
- Return prepared by
- CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP
California records
California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 95-4704879 or by the name A STEP TO FREEDOM.
- Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
- Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)
- Secretary of State, bizfile Online
- Corporation status, entity number, agent for service
- Franchise Tax Board
- Entity status letter (state tax exemption, good standing)
Mission
TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO STRUGGLE WITH SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES SUCH AS HOMELESSNESS, LACK OF EDUCATION, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL ILLNESS, AND RECIDIVISM BY PROVIDING A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT TO BREAK CYCLES, HEAL AND THRIVE.
Program accomplishments
- INTERIM HOUSING A STEP TO FREEDOM'S INTERIM HOUSING PROGRAM PROVIDES CRUCIAL SUPPORT AND STRUCTURE FOR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING STABILITY. OPERATING SIX FACILITIES WITH 202 BEDS, THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS IMMEDIATE SHELTER AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THOSE IN CRISIS. NOTABLY, IN 2024, A NEW SITE DEDICATED TO WOMEN OPENED, DELIVERING TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE THROUGH GENDER-RESPONSIVE PROGRAMS. THIS PROGRAM SERVES AS A VITAL FIRST STEP TOWARDS LONG-TERM WELL-BEING AND INDEPENDENCE.IN 2024, ASF PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE INTERIM HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO 303 JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS, WITH 85% ACCESSING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, 80% MAINTAINING MEDICATION ADHERENCE, AND 20 PARTICIPANTS SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONING INTO PERMANENT HOUSING, ILLUSTRATING ASF'S COMMITMENT TO STABILIZING LIVES AND BREAKING CYCLES OF HOMELESSNESS AND INCARCERATION.Expenses $4,106,834 · grants $796
- PERMANENT HOUSINGA STEP TO FREEDOM'S PERMANENT HOUSING PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SAFE, STABLE, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE EXITING HOMELESSNESS AND WORKING TOWARD LONG-TERM INDEPENDENCE. RECOGNIZING THAT HOUSING STABILITY IS A CRITICAL FOUNDATION FOR OVERALL WELL-BEING, THE PROGRAM COMBINES PERMANENT HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES WITH INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS NOT ONLY OBTAIN HOUSING BUT ARE EQUIPPED TO SUSTAIN IT.ASF SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED 21 PARTICIPANTS INTO SAFE AND STABLE PERMANENT HOUSING IN 2024, COMBINING LONG-TERM PLACEMENT WITH WRAPAROUND CASE MANAGEMENT, HEALTH SERVICES, AND FINANCIAL COACHING TO ENSURE SUSTAINED HOUSING STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE.Expenses $19,500
- OUTREACHWARM THE STREETS: ASF STRIVES TO BE ONE OF THE STRONGEST VOICES FIGHTING TO END HOMELESSNESS IN LOS ANGELES WITH A FOCUS ON SOUTH LOS ANGELES. EACH YEAR, ASF HOLDS TWO COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT EVENTS TO INCREASE AWARENESS WHILE PROVIDING VOLUNTEERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN SMALL ACTS OF COMPASSION THAT REACH THE UNHOUSED AND UNSUPPORTED, BUILDING TRUST AND CREATING PATHWAYS TO HEALTHY LIVING AND INDEPENDENCE. IN 2024, A STEP TO FREEDOM DISTRIBUTED OVER 10,000 BLANKETS AND PPE TO MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN LOS ANGELES, ATLANTA AND CHARLOTTE.Expenses $4,512
- WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTA STEP TO FREEDOM'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM EQUIPS JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND CONFIDENCE. THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO ENHANCE THEIR COMPETITIVENESS IN THE JOB MARKET, ENABLING THEM TO SECURE AND RETAIN STABLE, LIVING-WAGE EMPLOYMENT. THIS IS A CRUCIAL COMPONENT IN TACKLING HOMELESSNESS WITHIN THE SOUTH LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY.ASF EMPOWERED PARTICIPANTS THROUGH ITS FIVE-PILLAR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, WITH 20% OF ENROLLED PARTICIPANTS SECURING AND MAINTAINING EMPLOYMENT, AND AT LEAST 25% OF INTERIM HOUSING CLIENTS BECOMING WORKFORCE READY WITHIN 12 MONTHS - DEMONSTRATING ASF'S EFFECTIVENESS IN BUILDING ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND CAREER RESILIENCE.Expenses $430
- COMMUNITY SUPPORTS PROGRAM (HOUSING NAVIGATION AND TIME-LIMITED SUBSIDY)A STEP TO FREEDOM'S COMMUNITY SUPPORTS PROGRAM OFFERS VITAL RESOURCES, SERVICES, AND GUIDANCE, INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT, PEER SUPPORT, AND RESOURCENAVIGATION, TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OVERCOME HOMELESSNESS, UNEMPLOYMENT, FOOD INSECURITY, AND LIMITED HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND ACHIEVE STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES HOUSING NAVIGATION AND TIME-LIMITED SUBSIDY SERVICES.A STEP TO FREEDOM'S (ASF) HOUSING NAVIGATION AND TIME-LIMITED SUBSIDY (TLS) PROGRAMS WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THE COMPLEX NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIESEXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. GUIDED BY A TRAUMA-INFORMED AND CLIENT-CENTERED APPROACH, THESE SERVICES OFFER A TRANSITION FROM HOUSING INSTABILITY TO PERMANENTHOUSING, FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE, AND LONG-TERM STABILITY.ASF'S COMMUNITY SUPPORTS PROGRAM SUPPORTED 7 PARTICIPANTS IN 2024 AND GREW TO 17 ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN 2025, PROVIDING INTENSIVE HOUSING NAVIGATION ANDFINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT BRIDGES THE GAP FROM HOMELESSNESS TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH TRAUMA-INFORMED SERVICES AND SUBSIDIZED HOUSING SUPPORT.0
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 | Not 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
- 95-4704879
- 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
- 2020
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Housing and shelter (L41)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $1,123,848
- Income (IRS master file)
- $5,281,925
Revocation and reinstatement
- Exemption revoked
- May 15, 2012
- Posted by the IRS
- February 11, 2013
- Reinstated
- Effective May 15, 2012
From the IRS automatic revocation list: organizations that did not file a required return or e-Postcard for three consecutive years.
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2024 | $5,281,925 | $4,962,195 | $1,123,848 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $3,166,800 | $3,287,472 | $683,901 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $2,479,015 | $2,505,315 | $467,500 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-N for 2008 Officer: Kenya Kirkland | December 31, 2008 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
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 95-4704879).
Questions about A STEP TO FREEDOM
- What is the EIN of A STEP TO FREEDOM?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of A STEP TO FREEDOM is 95-4704879.
- Is A STEP TO FREEDOM tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS revoked its exemption on May 15, 2012 and reinstated it effective May 15, 2012.
- Are donations to A STEP TO FREEDOM tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does A STEP TO FREEDOM 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 A STEP TO FREEDOM due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did A STEP TO FREEDOM last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
- Who is the principal officer of A STEP TO FREEDOM?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names KENYA CROOM.
- Who are the officers and directors of A STEP TO FREEDOM?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 7 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $118,558 (KENYA CROOM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does A STEP TO FREEDOM have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $5,281,925, expenses of $4,962,195 and total assets of $1,123,848 at year end.
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- LTSC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION EIN 95-4444102 · last filed 990 for 2024
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- A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS EIN 95-4203106 · last filed 990 for 2025
- ABODE COMMUNITIES EIN 95-6377511 · last filed 990 for 2024
All nonprofits in LOS ANGELES · California · Housing and shelter