Nonprofit · EIN 27-0640886
FIRST STEPS KENT
Tax-exempt · GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $10,788,371 | $11,465,683 | -$677,312 | $3,929,520 | $2,315,874 | $1,613,646 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $12,965,156 | $11,930,968 | $1,034,188 | $4,830,339 | $2,539,381 | $2,290,958 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 | $10,520,422 | $10,890,715 | -$370,293 | $3,416,832 | $2,160,062 | $1,256,770 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $10,760,907
- of which government grants
- $10,334,121
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $0
- Other revenue
- $27,464
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $9,755,324
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $172,190
- Other salaries and wages
- $741,662
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,144,436
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $8,576
- Accounting fees
- $20,563
- Occupancy
- $87,748
- Depreciation
- $7,117
- Program services (functional)
- $11,147,391
- Management and general (functional)
- $231,020
- Fundraising (functional)
- $87,272
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $4,830,339
- Total assets, end of year
- $3,929,520
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $2,315,874
- Net assets, end of year
- $1,613,646
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $19,386
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $234,044
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,379,602
- Gross receipts
- $10,788,371
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 21
- Year formed
- 2009
- State of legal domicile
- MI
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 September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER HEADLEY-NORDMAN | PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $150,843 | $15,618 |
| KATE PEW WOLTERS | CO-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LEW CHAMBERLIN | CO-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSH SAYLES | SECRETARY/TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LEAH ATKINS | PARENT LEADER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AMANDA BARBOUR | DIRECTOR THRU 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GUILLERMO CISNEROS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN CLAY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV HOWARD C EARLE JR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HANNA C JAWORSKI MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELINDA JOHNSON | DIRECTOR THRU 9/21/25 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FLORA MA | PARENT LEADER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRASHAWN MARTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SEAN WELSH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RANDY THELEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
8 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHELLE VAN DYKE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANTHONY QUEEN | PARENT LEADER THRU 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KELSEY PERDUE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| EMILY CANTOR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR RON GORMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TANIAH INGRAM | PARENT LEADER BEGAN 3/25 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CLAUDIA JONES | DIRECTOR BEGAN 3/25 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KATE PINKHAM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER HEADLEY-NORDMAN | PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $150,843 | $15,618 |
| KATE PEW WOLTERS | CO-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LEW CHAMBERLIN | CO-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSH SAYLES | SECRETARY/TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LEAH ATKINS | PARENT LEADER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AMANDA BARBOUR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GUILLERMO CISNEROS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN CLAY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV HOWARD C EARLE JR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HANNA C JAWORSKI MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELINDA JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RON KOEHLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FLORA MA | PARENT LEADER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRASHAWN MARTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SEAN WELSH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RANDY THELEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE VAN DYKE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MILT ROHWER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANTHONY QUEEN | PARENT LEADER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELSEY PERDUE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY CANTOR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 19 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER HEADLEY-NORDMAN | PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $136,857 |
| KATE PEW WOLTERS | CO-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| LEW CHAMBERLIN | CO-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| JOSH SAYLES | SECRETARY/TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| DR JUAN OLIVAREZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| AMANDA BARBOUR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOSLYN WARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CARL VER BEEK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REV HOWARD C EARLE JR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| HANNA C JAWORSKI MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MELINDA JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RON KOEHLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CLAIRE GUISFREDI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KELSEY PERDUE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SEAN WELSH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RANDY THELEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MICHELLE VAN DYKE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MILT ROHWER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANTHONY QUEEN | PARENT LEADER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 401 HALL STREET SW STE 385, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503-5098
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- JENNIFER HEADLEY-NORDMAN, 401 HALL STREET SW STE 385, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503
- Signed the 990
- JENNIFER HEADLEY-NORDMAN, PRESIDENT
- Phone
- (616) 632-1003
- Website
- WWW.FIRSTSTEPSKENT.ORG
- Return prepared by
- REHMANN ROBSON LLC
Mission
TO CREATE A COORDINATED, INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES THAT SUPPORTS ALL FAMILIES IN KENT COUNTY SO EVERY YOUNG CHILD IN KENT COUNTY WILL ENTER KINDERGARTEN READY TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE. THE ORGANIZATION'S MOST SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY WAS OBTAINING GRANTS AND DONATIONS TO IMPLEMENT, INCREASE, STRENGTHEN, AND COORDINATE THE NETWORK OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES IN KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Program accomplishments
- EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT FIRST STEPS KENT ADMINISTERS AND OVERSEES THE READY BY FIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD MILLAGE (THE "READY BY FIVE MILLAGE") FOR PROGRAMS THAT IMPROVE THE HEALTH, SCHOOL READINESS, AND WELLBEING OF CHILDREN THROUGH AGE FIVE. IT ALLOWS MORE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FROM ACROSS KENT COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMS THAT ARE PROVEN TO INCREASE THEIR LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND BEYOND. COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS APPLY FOR FUNDING TO PROVIDE SERVICES SUCH AS HOME VISITING, PLAY AND LEARN GROUPS, DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING, AND NAVIGATION SUPPORT TO HELP FAMILIES ACCESS THE HELP THEY NEED AND WANT. DECISIONS ABOUT WHICH ORGANIZATIONS TO FUND ARE BASED ON COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE RESIDENT PROPOSAL REVIEW BOARD, WHICH INCLUDES PARENTS, KENT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF, A COMMUNITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERT, AND A FIRST STEPS KENT COMMISSIONER.Expenses $10,367,536 · grants $9,755,324 · revenue $10,334,121
- MAINSPRING EARLY CARE ALLIANCE - INCREASES ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, QUALITY CHILDCARE FOR WORKING FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN BY MAXIMIZING EARLY CHILDCARE PROVIDER CAPACITY. THE SHARED SERVICES INITIATIVE OFFERS RESOURCES TO INCREASE BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH SUPPORTS SUCH AS: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM EXPERTS ON SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEBINARS AND WORKSHOPS ON BEST PRACTICES IN QUALITY CHILDCARE, AND DEVELOPING A COORDINATED PURCHASING SYSTEM TO ENSURE PROVIDERS RECEIVE VOLUME DISCOUNTS THAT WILL INCREASE THEIR BUYING POWER FOR SUPPLIES.Expenses $329,008
- EARLY LEARNING INITIATIVES-FIRST STEPS KENT WAS ESTABLISHED TO BE THE SYSTEMS LEVEL ORGANIZATION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD IN KENT COUNTY, BORN OUT OF PLANNING BETWEEN COMMUNITY LEADERS, FUNDERS AND THE KENT COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IN 2009. ALTHOUGH TERMS AND THE VERNACULAR HAVE SHIFTED OVER SEVERAL YEARS, PROMOTION AND ADVOCACY FOR EARLY LEARNING FOCUSED ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COVERING THE AGE CONTINUUM FROM PRENATAL TO 5 YEARS OF AGE IS A LARGE PART OF THE WORK OF FIRST STEPS KENT. THE MEASURABLE OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS WORK ENSURES THAT CHILDREN ARE BORN HEALTHY AND ARE REFERRED TO SERVICES TO ASSIST THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE RESOURCES AND SERVICES, SO THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO ENTER KINDERGARTEN READY TO LEARN AND REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. FIRST STEPS KENT IS A LEAD CONVENER IN KENT COUNTY, STATEWIDE AND EVEN NATIONALLY TO PROMOTE AND ADVOCATE FOR EVIDENCED BASED MODELS TO ENHANCE THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. THESE INITIATIVES INCLUDE DOZENS OF MEETINGS, CONVENINGS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LATEST RESEARCH DOCUMENTS CREATED BY PARTNERS LIKE THE BUILD INITIATIVE, THE PRITZKER CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE, THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES AND THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL POLICY. FIRST STEPS KENT STRIVES TO ADVOCATE FOR SERVICES AND RESOURCES FOR OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROVIDING IMPACT REPORTS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENTS SHOWING WHERE GAPS EXIST IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD LANDSCAPE.Expenses $439,373
- DATA PROJECTS-FIRST STEPS KENT SUPPORTS COMMUNITY-WIDE DATA COLLECTION INITIATIVES FROM SERVICE PROVIDERS TO SUPPORT UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF EXPECTANT PARENTS AND FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN KENT COUNTY. THIS PROJECT TRACKS THE PROGRESS OF PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES ALIGNING IN THREE KEY AREAS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO KINDERGARTEN READINESS, INCLUDING: CHILDREN ARE BORN HEALTHY, CHILDREN ARE DEVELOPMENTALLY ON TRACK AND CHILD HEALTH. PROJECTS HAVE INCLUDED A FORMAL PROCESS TO COLLECT FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY WITH THE IDENTIFYING OF CONTRIBUTING INDICATORS THAT ADD A MEASURABLE CONTEXT TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD VISION FOR KENT COUNTY, DEVELOPMENT OF A SYSTEMS STAKEHOLDER MAP SHOWING THE CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS AMONG EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS DESIGNING PERFORMANCE BASED METRICS THAT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE AGREEMENTS EXECUTED WITH AGENCIES RECEIVING READY BY FIVE MILLAGE FUNDING.Expenses $11,474
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 September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 27-0640886
- 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
- 2009
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B90)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $3,929,520
- Income (IRS master file)
- $10,788,371
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $10,788,371 | $11,465,683 | $3,929,520 | XML |
| 990 | September 2024 | $12,965,156 | $11,930,968 | $4,830,339 | XML |
| 990 | September 2023 | $10,520,422 | $10,890,715 | $3,416,832 | XML |
| 990 | September 2022 | $8,534,103 | $8,331,757 | $3,263,286 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 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 27-0640886).
Questions about FIRST STEPS KENT
- What is the EIN of FIRST STEPS KENT?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of FIRST STEPS KENT is 27-0640886.
- Is FIRST STEPS KENT tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2009.
- Are donations to FIRST STEPS KENT tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does FIRST STEPS KENT 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 STEPS KENT due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did FIRST STEPS KENT last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of FIRST STEPS KENT?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names JENNIFER HEADLEY-NORDMAN.
- Who are the officers and directors of FIRST STEPS KENT?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 23 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $150,843 (JENNIFER HEADLEY-NORDMAN, PRESIDENT).
- How much revenue does FIRST STEPS KENT have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $10,788,371, expenses of $11,465,683 and total assets of $3,929,520 at year end.
Other nonprofits in GRAND RAPIDS
- CALVIN UNIVERSITY EIN 38-3071514 · last filed 990 for 2025
- DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY EIN 38-1945965 · last filed 990 for 2025
- AQUINAS COLLEGE INC EIN 38-1367080 · last filed 990 for 2025
- CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY EIN 38-1443369 · last filed 990 for 2025
- GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS EIN 38-1880873 · last filed 990 for 2025
- MICHIGAN FAMILY RESOURCES EIN 38-2942671 · last filed 990 for 2024
- NORTHPOINTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS EIN 38-1986748 · last filed 990 for 2025
- GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION EIN 38-6100380 · last filed 990 for 2025