First Step Foundation

Public charity · Grantmaker Hot Springs, AR EIN: 20-1876745

To support first step, inc.

Key facts about First Step Foundation

EIN
20-1876745
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Total assets
$1,179,729

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$1.2M

+4.8% YoY

Revenue

$55K

-22.3% YoY

Net Investment Income

$43K

+0.9% YoY

Expenses

$1K

+0.3% YoY

About First Step Foundation

Based on IRS filings

First Step Foundation is a public charity focused on Youth Development, based in Hot Springs, AR. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. Net investment income was $43K.

Focus Areas

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with First Step Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

States

Cities

Hot Springs

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K$200K1 grant2019 0 grants2020 0 grants2021 0 grants2022 0 grants2023 0 grants2024 0 grants2025

In 2019 it made 1 grant totaling $200K.

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$500K$1M$1.5M2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$1,179,729$1,126,221$1,056,940
Revenue$54,953$70,722$1,010,446
Expenses$1,445$1,441$475
Net Investment Income$43,141$42,741$9,058

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 13, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 9, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 26, 2022)
  4. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

First Step Foundation is led by Donna Merriweather, President since 2021 (on filings since 2019); none of the 10 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Donna Merriweather

    President

    Vice President → President, 2021

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Anna Sue McCoy

    Secretary

    Director → Secretary, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Mike Long

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Richard Holden

    Treasurer

    Director → Treasurer, 2021

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Robbie Cox

    Vice President

    Director → Vice President, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Wayne Reynolds

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Tyrone Flowers

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Chris Smith

    CFO & First St

    On filings since 2022

    No compensation reported

  • Don Gooch

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    No compensation reported

  • Thomas Smith

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    No compensation reported

Former officers (4)
  • Former: Courtney Eubanks (2019–2024) — Vice President
  • Former: Travis Morrissey (2019–2024) — Director
  • Former: Tom French (2019–2023) — Director
  • Former: Lance Lefever (2019–2020) — President

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about First Step Foundation

How large is First Step Foundation?

First Step Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $55K.

What is First Step Foundation?

First Step Foundation is a public charity focused on Youth Development, based in Hot Springs, AR. It holds $1.2M in total assets as of 2025.

Where does First Step Foundation operate?

First Step Foundation has awarded grants in Arkansas.

What is First Step Foundation's EIN?

First Step Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1876745. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching First Step Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in First Step Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Similar funders in Arkansas

Walton Family Foundation Inc

Bentonville, AR

The Walton Family Foundation funds K–12 education, river and ocean conservation, and quality-of-life initiatives in Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta; its grants also support organizations and projects elsewhere in the U.S. Its 2024 grants had a median of $200,000, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $35.6 million. It does not accept unsolicited requests except from eligible public charter school developers applying to its startup grant program; other organizations must first submit a letter of inquiry and await an invitation.

Assets

$6.1B

Grants

1,020

Total Given

$562.3M

Arkansas Community Foundation Inc

Little Rock, AR

Arkansas Community Foundation funds nonprofits in education, arts, health, human services, food security, and community development, primarily across Arkansas through statewide and local grant programs. Its 2025 grants had a median award of $17,000, though amounts varied widely; some specific programs offer fixed awards of $5,000 or $15,000. It accepts applications through competitive grant cycles, including Giving Tree grants.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$895.9M

Grants

827

Total Given

$58.7M

Arvest Foundation

Bentonville, AR

Arvest Foundation funds economic development, community programs, arts, nonprofit capacity, scholarships, and construction projects, primarily in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $75,000, with a median of $5,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$21.0M

Grants

562

Total Given

$4.3M

Windgate Charitable Foundation Inc

Little Rock, AR

Windgate Charitable Foundation funds contemporary craft and visual arts education across the United States, plus education, health, and community initiatives for Arkansas organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,000 to $7.52 million, with a median of about $54,700. It does not accept unsolicited requests; organizations funded in the past five years may apply through its grantee portal.

Assets

$421.0M

Grants

341

Total Given

$105.6M

Wend II Inc

Bentonville, AR

Wend II Inc funds racial justice, youth, river stewardship, and community-support initiatives, with 2025 grants ranging from $23,050 to $724,972 and a median of $174,713. Its 2025 grants went to organizations in Virginia, Arizona, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Massachusetts. The foundation funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$153.6M

Grants

5

Total Given

$1.2M

WAL-Mart Foundation

Bentonville, AR

The Walmart Foundation funds economic opportunity, sustainability, community strength, racial equity, and related priorities such as conservation, healthier food, and supply-chain workers, especially in communities where Walmart operates. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $8.51 million, with a median of $430,000; local grants are $250–$5,000 and Northwest Arkansas grants are $20,000–$100,000. It accepts applications for Spark Good Local Grants and Northwest Arkansas Giving, and accepts concept notes only for its Healthier Food for All focus area.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$23.4M

Grants

144

Total Given

$113.9M

Alumbra Innovations Foundation

Bentonville, AR

Alumbra Innovations Foundation funds community, environmental, and economic resilience, including ocean vitality, land and water stewardship, youth, education, and civic and cultural initiatives. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,100 to $5.5 million, with a median of about $70,000; giving was concentrated in California, with additional support in other U.S. states and Baja California Sur, Mexico. It does not accept unsolicited requests and funds only preselected organizations.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$113.5M

Grants

137

Total Given

$28.5M

The Schmieding Foundation

Springdale, AR

The Schmieding Foundation funds organizations benefiting children and older adults, including work in healthcare, education, food assistance, and community services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $150 to $603,500, with a median of $10,000; most funding went to Arkansas, with additional grants in Alabama and Nebraska. It accepts requests from organizations not limited to preselected recipients; applicants are directed to contact Lance Taylor and submit a preprinted application.

Human Services

Assets

$12.0M

Grants

108

Total Given

$2.4M

The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation

Little Rock, AR

The foundation funds efforts advancing economic, educational, social, ethnic, and racial equity through systems and policy change, including advocacy, organizing, and projects challenging harmful narratives about poverty. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $600,000, with a median of $30,000, and support must directly benefit Arkansas. It asks prospective applicants to share a brief idea summary; the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$151.5M

Grants

106

Total Given

$6.5M

Simmons First Foundation Inc

Pine Bluff, AR

The foundation funds youth development programs for K–12 students, especially in education and health care, and its 2027 cycle also includes an Environmental Grant category. Its Mini Grants are $1,000–$2,500 and Make a Difference Grants are $2,500–$25,000; it serves organizations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. It accepts unsolicited Letters of Intent for Make a Difference and Environmental Grants from April 6 through June 30, 2027.

Assets

$19.3M

Grants

102

Total Given

$868K

Alice L Walton Foundation

Bentonville, AR

The foundation funds arts and culture, education, health and well-being, and economic opportunity, prioritizing communities in Northwest Arkansas while also supporting organizations elsewhere. In 2024, grants ranged from $3,500 to $12 million, with a median of $50,000. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests and gives only to preselected organizations.

Assets

$4.7B

Grants

95

Total Given

$47.1M

Pure Inc

Bentonville, AR

PURE INC supports projects in food, freedom, health, opportunity, water, and relief through peer-to-peer fundraising and grants. Its 2024 grants ranged from about $5,000 to $16.1 million, with a median of about $44,000; most funding went to Texas-based recipients. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.

Human Services

Assets

$1.4M

Grants

93

Total Given

$27.3M

More Funders in Arkansas

First Step Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?