Stepping Forward Foundation
Stepping Forward Foundation is a private foundation, based in Billings, MT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $905K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $89K. Net investment income was $22K.
Stepping Forward Foundation at a glance
In short: Stepping Forward Foundation gave $89K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $22K), mostly in Montana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $89,400
- -15.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $22,350
- -36.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $23,500
- Total assets
- $904,720
- +4.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Montana (65% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Stepping Forward Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Montana State University - Billings Foundation ($40K). Together the top 4 received $89K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 22 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How Stepping Forward Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−11%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 257% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $89K (2024) to $123K (2020). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $89K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Montana State University - Billings Foundation Billings, MT | Philanthropic Purpose | $39,900 |
| Schwab Charitable Orlando, FL | Philanthropic Purpose | $31,000 |
| Montana State University - Bozeman Bozeman, MT | Philanthropic Purpose | $16,000 |
| Billings Senior High - Holiday Gift Card Drive Billings, MT | Philanthropic Purpose | $2,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $904,720 | $178,161 | $141,562 | $89,400 | 4 | $134,434 | $22,034 | $52,377 |
| 2023 | $868,121 | $253,765 | $154,687 | $105,400 | 3 | $148,549 | $47,654 | $44,442 |
| 2022 | $769,043 | $276,444 | $151,218 | $101,900 | 6 | $143,521 | $20,394 | $39,413 |
| 2021 | $643,817 | $195,014 | $146,433 | $100,900 | 4 | $140,236 | $88,846 | $38,687 |
| 2020 | $595,236 | $68,301 | $170,203 | $123,197 | 5 | — | $12,360 | $37,376 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Stepping Forward Foundation reported a distributable amount of $52K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Stepping Forward Foundation is led by Lyn A. Findley, President, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lyn A. Findley
President, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Benjamin C. Findley
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Leah A. Findley
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Stepping Forward Foundation
How much does Stepping Forward Foundation give each year?
Stepping Forward Foundation gave $89K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $105K across 3 grants.
What is Stepping Forward Foundation's typical grant size?
Stepping Forward Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $23,500, and its average grant was $22,350, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Stepping Forward Foundation give grants?
Stepping Forward Foundation gives mostly in Montana: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (35%). The most frequent recipient cities were Billings, MT (2 grants).
Does Stepping Forward Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Stepping Forward Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Philanthropic Purpose" (4 grants).
How large is Stepping Forward Foundation?
Stepping Forward Foundation reported $905K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $134K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $52K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Stepping Forward Foundation's EIN?
Stepping Forward Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-4013541. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Stepping Forward Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Stepping Forward Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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