Sacramento Steps Forward
The Organization's mission is to ensure that individuals and families experiencing homelessness or the risk of homelessness are able to access housing services and resources on their path to economic stability. The Organization is the lead agency for the Sacramento Homeless Continuum of Care and administers and oversees grants for homeless related programs in Sacramento County which are received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and are passed through to various non-profit organizations as sub-grants. The Continuum of Care Program is designed by HUD to promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. Since becoming the lead agency in the Continuum of Care in 2011, the annual level of grant funding provided to the Sacramento community by HUD has increased by five million dollars. This funding supports twenty-two permanent supportive housing programs and retains housing and supportive services for people who were previously homeless.
Sacramento Steps Forward at a glance
In short: Sacramento Steps Forward gave $14.5M across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $1.6M), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $14,469,254
- +21.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- +12.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,607,695
- +7.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $303,587
- Total assets
- $24,466,304
- -12.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Sacramento Steps Forward funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Shelter Inc ($4.7M). Together the top 9 received $14.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 19 grants of 43 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Sacramento Steps Forward gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+18%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $12.0M (2023) to $23.2M (2019). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $14.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter Inc Concord, CA | Homeless services | $4,666,931 |
| Lutheran Social Services Concord, CA | Homeless services | $4,411,343 |
| Saehc Sacramento, CA | Homeless services | $4,294,898 |
| Lao Family Community Dev Oakland, CA | Homeless services | $340,111 |
| Sacramento Cottage Housing Sacramento, CA | Homeless services | $303,587 |
| My Sisters House Sacramento, CA | Homeless services | $250,923 |
| Waking the Village Sacramento, CA | Homeless services | $107,979 |
| Bridging Initiatives Internat Citrus Heights, CA | Homeless services | $51,651 |
| Community Link Capital Region Sacramento, CA | Homeless services | $41,831 |
Ready to take the next step with Sacramento Steps Forward?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $24,466,304 | $24,261,724 | $30,157,356 | $14,469,254 | 9 | $661,503 |
| 2023 | $27,900,600 | $38,108,824 | $26,169,820 | $11,951,620 | 8 | $532,220 |
| 2022 | $16,252,714 | $20,331,274 | $19,959,476 | $13,302,362 | 6 | $182,530 |
| 2021 | $15,140,259 | $24,231,781 | $18,071,589 | $12,278,798 | 7 | $31,930 |
| 2020 | $9,271,126 | $22,291,647 | $16,131,537 | $12,761,950 | 13 | $22,181 |
| 2019 | $3,544,879 | $26,322,040 | $26,080,095 | $23,233,682 | 7 | — |
About Sacramento Steps Forward
Based on IRS filings
Sacramento Steps Forward is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Sacramento, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $24.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 9 grants totaling $14.5M. Net investment income was $662K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Sacramento Steps Forward is led by Lisa R Bates, CEO on every filing since 2019; 8 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lisa R Bates
CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$152K (2019) → $211K (2024)
A Jonathan Porteus PhD
Chair
Director → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Bell
Planning Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$107K (2023) → $116K (2024)
Kimberly Winters
Committee Impact Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$126K (2024)
Ashley Brand
Director
Director → Chair, 2022
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Maxwell
Director
Treasurer → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin Johansen
Director
Director → Continuum of Ca, 2021
Continuum of Ca → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angela Upshaw
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashleigh Martinez
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Heller de Leon
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachael Brown
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amber Kemp
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michele Watts
Planning Officer
Cpo → Planning Officer, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$92K (2019) → $126K (2024)
Michael J Colton
CFO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$77K (2022) → $135K (2024)
Trent Simmons
Data & Analytics
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$122K (2023) → $126K (2024)
Rachel Wickland
Deputy CEO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$151K (2024)
Roseanne Lopez
Chief Administrator Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$151K (2024)
Cassandra Jennings
Vice Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Husid
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alissa Ko
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Matt Keasling (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Michelle Odell (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Rodolfo Davidson (2019–2023) — Strategic Init Director
- Former: Rachel Bereza (2023) — Deputy CEO
- Former: Tamu Nolfo Green (2020–2021) — Sys Perf. Advisor
- Former: Rolf Davidson (2021) — COO
- Former: Stephen Perez (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Brian Augusta (2019–2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Sarah Bontrager (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Ya Yin Isles (2019–2020) — Csio
- Former: Steve Perez (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $211K, to Lisa R Bates (CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Sacramento Steps Forward
How much does Sacramento Steps Forward give each year?
Sacramento Steps Forward gave $14.5M across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $12.0M across 8 grants.
What is Sacramento Steps Forward's typical grant size?
Sacramento Steps Forward's median grant in 2024 was $303,587, and its average grant was $1,607,695, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Sacramento Steps Forward give grants?
Sacramento Steps Forward gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sacramento, CA (5 grants) and Concord, CA (2 grants).
Does Sacramento Steps Forward give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Sacramento Steps Forward's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Homeless services" (9 grants).
Who are Sacramento Steps Forward's largest grantees?
Sacramento Steps Forward's largest 2024 grantees include Shelter Inc ($4,666,931), Lutheran Social Services ($4,411,343) and Saehc ($4,294,898), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 92% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sacramento Steps Forward?
Sacramento Steps Forward reported $24.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $24.3M.
What is Sacramento Steps Forward?
Sacramento Steps Forward is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Sacramento, CA. It holds $24.5M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Sacramento Steps Forward's EIN?
Sacramento Steps Forward's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-4907397. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS November 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sacramento Steps Forward's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
Sacramento Region Community Foundation
Sacramento, CA
The Sacramento Region Community Foundation supports local nonprofits, community initiatives, scholarships, and capacity-building through funds established by local philanthropists, serving El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo counties. Grant sizes vary by fund; one listed opportunity offers up to $55,000 per year, and its application begins with a Letter of Interest, with selected organizations invited to apply.
Assets
$257.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$26.6M
Pfund Family Foundation
Sacramento, CA
The foundation supports California charities, with 2024 grants focused on children and families, food assistance, housing, and services for women. Its grants ranged from $2,500 to $10,000, with a median of $5,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$2.4M
Grants
28
Total Given
$138K
Greater Salina Community Foundation
Salina, KS
The Greater Salina Community Foundation funds charitable projects and programs in areas including arts and culture, education, health and human services, community development, parks, and public safety, generally within the geographic areas it serves. Grants vary widely; its 2025 median grant was $14,350, and Responsive Grants consider requests up to $2,500. The Foundation describes application options for eligible organizations but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$318.9M
Grants
328
Total Given
$24.1M
Community Foundation of Northern Nevada
Reno, NV
The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada supports nonprofits and community projects, including nonprofit capacity-building, mental health access, housing, and watershed protection, primarily in Northern Nevada. Its 2024 grants had a median of $20,000, though amounts varied widely; it accepts applications through specific funding opportunities and RFP cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts general unsolicited requests.
Assets
$178.2M
Grants
207
Total Given
$16.0M
Rochester Area Community Foundation
Rochester, NY
Rochester Area Community Foundation supports nonprofits and public-sector entities working on upward mobility, arts and culture, and environmental justice and sustainability across an eight-county Greater Rochester region. Competitive grants typically range from $500 to $50,000, depending on the opportunity. It accepts applications through its online grant portal for listed opportunities.
Assets
$510.7M
Grants
554
Total Given
$22.9M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Sacramento Steps Forward's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Sacramento Steps Forward down — hundreds of funders to go?