Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by A STEP TO FREEDOM.

Totals

Total revenue: $5,281,925
Total expenses: $4,962,195
Contributions and grants received: $5,278,858
Grants paid: $796
Program service revenue: $0
Investment income: $2,598
Other revenue: $469
Total assets, end of year: $1,123,848
Total liabilities, end of year: $595,674
Net assets or fund balances, end of year: $528,174
Program services expenses (Part IX): $4,131,276
Management and general expenses: $694,426
Fundraising expenses: $136,493
Program service expenses (Part III): $4,131,276

Program services were 83.3% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

1e · Government grants (contributions)

$4,318,710
1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

$960,148
1g · Noncash contributions included above

$1,005
3 · Investment income

total $2,598 · excluded $2,598
11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE

total $469 · excluded $469
11e · Other revenue, total

$469

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

total $796 · program services $796
5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

total $124,512 · program services $18,677 · management and general $82,178 · fundraising $23,657
7 · Other salaries and wages

total $1,991,598 · program services $1,839,761 · management and general $151,494 · fundraising $343
8 · Pension plan contributions

total $8,844 · program services $7,797 · management and general $1,047
9 · Other employee benefits

total $266,974 · program services $229,599 · management and general $37,375
10 · Payroll taxes

total $207,630 · program services $180,823 · management and general $24,999 · fundraising $1,808
11b · Fees: legal

total $16,172 · program services $5,000 · management and general $11,172
11c · Fees: accounting

total $141,431 · program services $48,916 · management and general $91,927 · fundraising $588
11g · Fees: other

total $403,173 · program services $154,557 · management and general $164,697 · fundraising $83,919
12 · Advertising and promotion

total $38,352 · program services $12,023 · management and general $10,690 · fundraising $15,639
13 · Office expenses

total $29,463 · program services $24,763 · management and general $3,696 · fundraising $1,004
14 · Information technology

total $128,622 · program services $101,406 · management and general $22,230 · fundraising $4,986
16 · Occupancy

total $839,689 · program services $839,689
17 · Travel

total $8,670 · program services $3,124 · management and general $5,546
19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

total $11,228 · program services $2,898 · management and general $8,330
20 · Interest

total $14,642 · program services $398 · management and general $14,244
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

total $4,580 · management and general $4,580
23 · Insurance

total $32,032 · program services $12,437 · management and general $17,779 · fundraising $1,816
24a · Other expenses: FOOD

total $500,067 · program services $499,960 · management and general $107
24b · Other expenses: JOB SUPPLIES

total $93,240 · program services $93,240
24c · Other expenses: PAYROLL FEES

total $42,171 · program services $13,436 · management and general $28,568 · fundraising $167
24d · Other expenses: SITE IMPROVEMENT

total $16,664 · program services $16,664
24e · All other expenses

total $41,645 · program services $25,312 · management and general $13,767 · fundraising $2,566

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

beginning of year $164,052 · end of year $732,746
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

beginning of year $390,358 · end of year $188,719
4 · Accounts receivable

beginning of year $120,782 · end of year $137,279
8 · Inventories for sale or use

end of year $971
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

$81,158
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

$17,025
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

beginning of year $8,709 · end of year $64,133
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

beginning of year $48,381 · end of year $177,077
19 · Deferred revenue

beginning of year $262,500 · end of year $120,000
24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

beginning of year $377,552 · end of year $298,597
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

beginning of year -$4,532 · end of year $528,174

Mission and programs · 2024

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.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TRANSFORM LIVES AFFECTED BY HOMELESSNESS, ADDICTION, OR MENTAL ILLNESS.

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.

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

JIMAR WILSON

PRESIDENT

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
KENDEL CROOM

TREASURER

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
SEBASTIAN LOZANO

SECRETARY

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
KARIS JONES

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
LAKEESHA ALFORD

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
BRANDAN ALDRIDGE

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
KENYA CROOM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$124,512

From this org

$118,558

From related orgs

$0

Other

$5,954

Hours/week

40

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those.

Schedule J

Answered yes

3 · Form 990 of other organizations
3 · Written employment contract
3 · Compensation survey or study
3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
7 · Other non-fixed payments
8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 3: PROCESS - THE BOARD OR DESIGNATED COMPENSATION COMMITTEE SHALL REVIEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION ANNUALLY. - THE REVIEW WILL INCLUDE A COMPARABILITY ANALYSIS USING SALARY SURVEYS, FORM 990 DATA, OR OTHER THIRD-PARTY COMPENSATION STUDIES. - THE COMMITTEE SHALL DOCUMENT THE BASIS FOR ITS RECOMMENDATION, INCLUDING DATA SOURCES AND RATIONALE. - THE FULL BOARD SHALL REVIEW AND APPROVE THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE, DOCUMENTING THE DECISION IN MEETING MINUTES.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type: form_990
Tax year: 2024
Filed: 13 November 2025
IRS schema version: 2024v5.2
Source object: 202513189349309911

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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