First Steps Kent

What it reported doing in 2024

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.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 97.2%; rating input score 97
• Fundraising efficiency: $123.3 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.3%; rating input score 93; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 95%; rating input score 95; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -6.3%; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.34; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.59; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 1.5%; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 22.7% per year; rating input score 100; 92nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 17.1% per year; rating input score 100; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 9.3% per year; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings