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.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.8M
+41.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.0M
+6.8% YoY
Grant Count
22
-4.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$454K
+11.7% YoY
About First Steps Kent
Based on IRS filings
First Steps Kent is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in GRAND RAPIDS, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 22 grants totaling $10.0M.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,830,339 | $3,416,832 | $3,263,286 |
| Revenue | $12,965,156 | $10,520,422 | $8,534,103 |
| Expenses | $11,930,968 | $10,890,715 | $8,331,757 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | $-4,804 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
85 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Family Futures ($1,281,697), Kent County ($1,221,922), Kent Intermediate School District ($1,220,605).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADVANCE COMMUNITY FOR EQUITY NEW ORLEANS, LA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $48,000 |
| ARBOR CIRCLE GRAND RAPIDS, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $918,557 |
| BASIS POLICY RESEARCH CARRBORO, NC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $146,000 |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $318,658 |
| CHERRY STREET HEALTH SERVICES GRAND RAPIDS, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $451,807 |
| COMPREHENSIVE THERAPY CENTER GRAND RAPIDS, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $19,545 |
| COREWELL HEALTH GRAND RAPIDS, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $786,193 |
| DA BLODGETT - ST JOHN'S GRAND RAPIDS, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $84,251 |
| EASTERSEALS MICHIGAN AUBURN HILLS, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $54,056 |
| FAMILY FUTURES GRAND RAPIDS, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,281,697 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATE PEW WOLTERS | CO-CHAIR | 1 | — |
| LEW CHAMBERLIN | CO-CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JOSH SAYLES | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| LEAH ATKINS | PARENT LEADER | 1 | — |
| AMANDA BARBOUR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GUILLERMO CISNEROS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KEVIN CLAY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| REV HOWARD C EARLE JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HANNA C JAWORSKI MD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MELINDA JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RON KOEHLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| FLORA MA | PARENT LEADER | 1 | — |
| KRASHAWN MARTIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SEAN WELSH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RANDY THELEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE VAN DYKE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MILT ROHWER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANTHONY QUEEN | PARENT LEADER | 1 | — |
| KELSEY PERDUE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EMILY CANTOR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER HEADLEY-NORDMAN | PRESIDENT | 40 | $150,843 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is First Steps Kent?
First Steps Kent is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in GRAND RAPIDS, MI. It holds $4.8M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is First Steps Kent?
As of 2024, First Steps Kent holds $4.8M in total assets with $13.0M in annual revenue. It awarded 22 grants totaling $10.0M in 2024.
Where does First Steps Kent operate?
First Steps Kent has awarded grants in Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina.
What size grants does First Steps Kent award?
In 2024, First Steps Kent awarded 22 grants totaling $10.0M — an average of about $454K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is First Steps Kent's EIN?
First Steps Kent's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0640886. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in First Steps Kent's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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