Her Next Steps
Her Next Steps is a private foundation based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It supports women through microfinance projects and scholarships for trade or further education, with its 2024 filing describing direct charitable activity in developing countries.
Her Next Steps at a glance
In short: Her Next Steps gave $31K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), top state Florida. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $30,636
- +154.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- +150.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,064
- +1.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,899
- Total assets
- $208,304
- +82.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Florida (33% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Her Next Steps
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing says applications may be submitted throughout the year through various NGO trusted advisors, with no deadline. The application is a Word document provided by an advisor to women interested in the microfinance program. It requests personal information, previous work experience, a business plan, and a breakdown of costs, and is returned to the organization for committee review. The filing says awards are paid to in-country NGO partners for distribution to women for start-up projects, with awards limited to $2,000 maximum.
- Contact
Application contact: Various Ngo Trusted Advisors
Mailing address: 3 N Kingston Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Phone: (908) 329-7083
Website: https://hernextsteps.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Her Next Steps funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Puressa Humanitarian ($10K). Together the top 9 received $31K.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 19 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing describes the foundation’s direct charitable activity as supporting women in developing countries. Its 2024 grant purposes mention a sewing-machine purchase in India. The website describes projects involving women in Zambia, Mozambique, and Ethiopia, including business loans, a scholarship, and a café project. The 2024 filing reports that 33% of grant dollars went to recipients in Florida; the state is not identified for the other 67%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Her Next Steps gives
- In 2024 it paid out 422% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $7K (2022) to $31K (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $31K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Puressa Humanitarian Boca Raton, FL | India Purchase of Sewing Machines | $10,000 |
| Sibahle National Disability Projects | Work for Life Program | $6,943 |
| Family Hope Foundation | Business Loan Program, Computers, and Trusted Advisor Costs | $3,239 |
| Hope for Korah | Donation to Setup Hiwot Hairdress Salon | $2,032 |
| Teach Beyond NGO | Work for Life Program | $2,010 |
| Laure Nakweti | Rebuild Business Ruined by Fire. | $1,788 |
| Glory Baptist Church | Scholarship | $1,719 |
| Seed of Hope | Work for Life Training | $1,200 |
| Hannah's House | Sewing Project | $1,050 |
| Teach Beyond NGO | Business Loan Program | $655 |
Ready to take the next step with Her Next Steps?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $208,304 | $181,091 | $82,088 | $30,636 | 10 | $44,133 | $10,469 |
| 2023 | $114,251 | $22,652 | $31,641 | $12,051 | 4 | $13,498 | $5,870 |
| 2022 | $119,690 | $132,650 | $19,629 | $7,410 | 5 | $7,410 | $1,236 |
| 2021 | $5,269 | $11,247 | $5,978 | — | — | $2,200 | $99 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Her Next Steps reported a distributable amount of $10K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated charitable activities are creating microfinance loans for women in developing countries and providing scholarships for young women to pursue trade or further education. Its website describes support for educational training, entrepreneurial skills, and microloans.
Its 2024 grants included support for sewing projects, business loans, business training, a hairdressing salon, a scholarship, and rebuilding a business after a fire. Grants went to organizations and other recipients; the listed purposes describe the projects supported, not necessarily the grantees’ broader missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Her Next Steps reported 10 grants totaling $30,636. Grant amounts ranged from $655 to $10,000, with a median of $1,899.
The largest listed grants were $10,000 to PURESSA HUMANITARIAN for the purchase of sewing machines in India; $6,943 to SIBAHLE NATIONAL DISABILITY PROJECTS for a “Work for Life” program; and $3,239 to FAMILY HOPE FOUNDATION for a business loan program, computers, and trusted-advisor costs. Other listed grants included $2,032 to HOPE FOR KORAH for setting up a hairdressing salon, $2,010 and $655 to TEACH BEYOND NGO for a “Work for Life” program and business loan program, and $1,788 to Laure Nakweti to rebuild a business ruined by fire.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Tracy Kautzmann as CEO and co-founder, Tamera Peters as vice CEO and co-founder, Susanne Ritter as board chair, Deanne Wiebe as secretary, and Kristina Ptacek as treasurer. It also lists Laurie Wolters, Margaret Love, and Patricia Stuart as members.
Her Next Steps is led by Tracy Kautzmann, CEO & Co-Founder on every filing since 2021; none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Tracy Kautzmann
CEO & Co-Founder
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Susanne Ritter
Board Chair
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Deanne Wiebe
Secretary
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Laurie Wolters
Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Patricia Stuart
Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Tamera Peters
Vice CEO & Co-Founder
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Kristina Ptacek
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Margaret Love
Member
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Peggy Love (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Cristi Stuart (2021–2022) — Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Her Next Steps
How much does Her Next Steps give each year?
Her Next Steps gave $31K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $12K across 4 grants.
What is Her Next Steps's typical grant size?
Her Next Steps's median grant in 2024 was $1,899, and its average grant was $3,064, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Her Next Steps give grants?
Her Next Steps's top state is Florida, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Does Her Next Steps give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Her Next Steps's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Her Next Steps's largest grantees?
Her Next Steps's largest 2024 grantees include Puressa Humanitarian ($10,000), Sibahle National Disability Projects ($6,943) and Family Hope Foundation ($3,239), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Her Next Steps?
Her Next Steps reported $208K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $44K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Her Next Steps fund?
The foundation’s stated charitable activities are creating microfinance loans for women in developing countries and providing scholarships for young women to pursue trade or further education. Its website describes support for educational training, entrepreneurial skills, and microloans. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Her Next Steps?
The 2024 filing says applications may be submitted throughout the year through various NGO trusted advisors, with no deadline. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Her Next Steps's EIN?
Her Next Steps's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-2006034. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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