Give.org logo
Support Give.org
Support Give.org
CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: September 2026 Expires: September 2028

Forward Steps Foundation

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
11
(303) 404-9966
Post Office Box 3484
Boulder, CO, 80307
https://forwardsteps.org
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Forward Steps Foundation does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 11 (Financial Statements)
Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

FSF does not meet this Standard because:

  • Although the organization reported total revenue in the amount of $538,577 for 2024, FSF states it does not have CPA-reviewed financial statements.

Forward Steps Foundation meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to advance equitable access along the education and workforce development continuum in Colorado serving youth and young adults facing adversity."

Year, State Incorporated:
2006, CO

Forward Steps Foundation (FSF) reports that it provides support, mentorship, and guidance to Colorado youth entering the workforce or completing postsecondary education. The organization’s Realizing Aptitudes program provides individualized, trauma-informed career and postsecondary readiness coaching for youth aged 14-25 who may be dealing with financial stress, housing instability, mental health challenges, or limited adult guidance. Realizing Aptitudes students receive one-on-one and small group career coaching, access to work-based learning opportunities, and support in identifying career and technical education pathways, apprenticeships, or other postsecondary options. FSF’s Guardian Scholars program serves current and former foster youth ages 18-26 with financial support, one-on-one mentoring, and other supports as they enroll, pursue, and complete their postsecondary education. Guardian Scholars are eligible for financial support to assist in education-related expenses, emergency needs, housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and childcare expenses.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, Forward Steps Foundation's program expenses were:

Realizing aptitudes $180,155
Guardian scholars $162,554
Total Program Expenses $342,709

Chief Executive
Jennifer Falkoski, Executive Director

Compensation*
$111,802

Chair of the Board
Robert Morrison Tiernan

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Consultant

Board Size
6

Paid Staff Size
5

*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Telephone appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Grant proposals, Internet, Workplace Giving

Fundraising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $539,770, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Forward Steps Foundation's IRS Form 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Source of Funds
Contributions $539,770
Total Income $538,577

Programs: 75% Fundraising: 16% Administrative: 9%

Total Income $538,577
Total expenses: $458,297
  Program expenses $342,709
  Fundraising expenses $73,661
  Administrative expenses $41,927
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $80,280
Beginning Net Assets $214,150
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $294,430
Total Liabilities $6,592
Total Assets $301,022

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance