# First Step

Child day care nonprofit in Belvidere, Illinois 61008. EIN 36-2740242. Data as of November 8, 2026.

Page: https://backpr.com/find/nonprofit/362740242-first-step

## Mission (the organization's own words)

> An agency supportive to low and/or single income working parents. We encourage developmental growth in children aged 6 weeks to eleven years by providing them with the tools needed to further their social, emotional, physcial and intellectual development.

Source: Form 990, year ending Jun 2025: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362740242/202620569349301037/full

## IRS facts

- Type: Child day care (IRS activity code P330)
- Tax status: 501(c)(3), contributions deductible, recognized 1973
- Source: IRS Business Master File, posted October 13, 2026: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-business-master-file-extract-eo-bmf

## Finances (IRS Form 990 e-file data)

| Year ending | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Employees | Volunteers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2025 | $1,062,343 | $1,023,209 | $11,423 | -$45,130 | 29 | 6 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362740242/202620569349301037/full) |
| Jun 2023 | $993,110 | $1,005,648 | $16,764 | -$15,823 | 31 | 6 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362740242/202401369349307915/full) |
| Jun 2022 | $891,652 | $918,784 | $15,614 | -$3,285 | 34 | 6 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362740242/202330609349301418/full) |
| Jun 2021 | $960,693 | $841,411 | $37,966 | $23,846 | 34 | 0 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362740242/202230669349301513/full) |

Expense split, year ending Jun 2025: programs $805,554 (79%), management $217,655 (21%), fundraising $0 (0%).

Revenue sources, year ending Jun 2025: gifts and grants $961,485, program fees $97,491, investment income $0.

Growth label: **Steady** (about +3% a year, Jun 2021 to Jun 2025). Growth label: we compare total revenue on the oldest and the newest return shown above. Growing means revenue rose by more than 10% a year on average, Shrinking means it fell by more than 10% a year, and Steady means a change between -10% and +10% a year. The rate is the compounded yearly average between the two returns, so it hides ups and downs in between (see the table). We only label groups with returns at least a year apart and at least $5,000 of revenue on the oldest one. This is our own calculation, not an IRS rating or a judgment of quality.

## How it compares

- Revenue $1,062,343 is higher than roughly 60 to 70% of 99 child care nonprofits in Illinois; median $776,601.
- Source: IRS Business Master File, posted October 13, 2026; BackPR analysis.

## Local context

- Boone County, Illinois: about 12,249 children under 18 (U.S. Census Bureau, July 1, 2024): https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2024/counties/asrh/cc-est2024-agesex-all.csv
- 34 youth and community nonprofits in this directory in the county: 2.8 per 1,000 children.
- Licensed programs in Belvidere: 5 licensed child care centers: https://backpr.com/find/illinois/belvidere
- Illinois rules: https://backpr.com/resources/states/illinois

## Questions

**What is First Step's EIN?**

First Step's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2740242. It is the nine-digit number the IRS uses to identify the organization. Source: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File posted October 13, 2026.

**Is First Step a nonprofit?**

Yes. The IRS lists First Step in Belvidere, Illinois as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), recognized since 1973. This is from the IRS Business Master File posted October 13, 2026. Status can change, so check its current status on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search before you donate.

**Are donations to First Step tax-deductible?**

Yes, the IRS lists gifts to First Step as tax-deductible (IRS Business Master File posted October 13, 2026). How much you can deduct depends on your own taxes, and this is not tax advice. Check its current status on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search before you donate.

**What does First Step do?**

In its own words on its Form 990 for the year ending Jun 2025: "An agency supportive to low and/or single income working parents. We encourage developmental growth in children aged 6 weeks to eleven years by providing them with the tools needed to further their social, emotional, physcial and intellectual development." The IRS classifies it as: Child day care.

**How much money does First Step take in?**

For the year ending Jun 2025, First Step reported total revenue of $1,062,343 and total expenses of $1,023,209 on its Form 990 (IRS Form 990 e-file data).

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Data as of November 8, 2026. Sources: IRS Business Master File, IRS Form 990 series e-file data, U.S. Census Bureau. No officer or staff names are published.