The Next Step Foundation
The Next Step Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Portland, OR. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2020. As of 2020, the organization holds $15K in total assets. In 2020, it awarded 1 grant totaling $5K.
The Next Step Foundation at a glance
In short: The Next Step Foundation gave $5K across 1 grant in 2020 (avg $5K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2020)
- $5,000
- -50.0% vs 2019
- Grants made (2020)
- 1
- Average grant
- $5,000
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $15,111
- +7811.5% vs 2019
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2020 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2020 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2020; updated September 2026.
Who The Next Step Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2020
The largest 2020 recipient was Lower Columbia College ($5K).
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2020 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2020, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2020) to $10K (2019). In 2020 it made 1 grant totaling $5K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Columbia College Longview, WA | To Provide Highereducation to Individuals | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $15,111 | $19,930 | $5,010 | $5,000 | 1 | $148 |
| 2019 | $191 | $10,250 | $10,059 | $10,000 | Total only | — |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Next Step Foundation reported a distributable amount of $148 for 2020 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Next Step Foundation is led by Rick Arkell, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2020 report compensation.
Officers on the 2020 filing
Rick Arkell
President
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Lang
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Rich Best
Vice President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2020. "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 The Next Step Foundation
How much does The Next Step Foundation give each year?
The Next Step Foundation gave $5K across 1 grant in 2020, according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2019 it reported $10K in grants paid.
How large is The Next Step Foundation?
The Next Step Foundation reported $15K in total assets on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $20K.
What is The Next Step Foundation?
The Next Step Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Portland, OR. It holds $15K in total assets as of 2020.
Where does The Next Step Foundation operate?
The Next Step Foundation has awarded grants in Washington.
How much is The Next Step Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2020, The Next Step Foundation reported a distributable amount of $148 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Next Step Foundation's EIN?
The Next Step Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 32-0572886. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2020.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 19, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2020
Live grants for the work The Next Step Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Next Step Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Next Step Foundation'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.
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