The Step Forward Trust
The Step Forward Trust is a private foundation based in Boise, Idaho, filing as a Form 990-PF. Its 2025 grants supported organizations in Idaho and Illinois, including education, athletics, food assistance, health services, and charitable events.
The Step Forward Trust at a glance
In short: The Step Forward Trust gave $369K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $34K), mostly in Illinois. 20% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $368,719
- +86.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- -21.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $33,520
- +137.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $7,996,207
- -1.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (2 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (68% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Step Forward Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Trust states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1775 W State Street Pmb 177, Boise, ID 83702
Phone: (208) 407-6237
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Step Forward Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was YMCA ($250K). Together the top 10 received $367K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($2,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
69 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 63 grants of 69 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 68% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 32% to recipients in Idaho.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Step Forward Trust open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 10 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $39K. How we count
Medians: $26K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 80% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 70% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 82% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $198K (2024) to $1.2M (2022). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $369K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA Chicago, IL | Fundsy Gala Paddle Raise Match | $250,000 |
| College of Western Idaho Nampa, ID | Early Childhood Education Scholarship | $50,000 |
| Learning Lab Boise, ID | Literacy Education | $22,000 |
| St Joseph's Catholic School Boise, ID | Event Sponsor | $17,219 |
| Idaho Foodbank Boise, ID | Donation for Back to School Drive | $10,000 |
| Boise Rescue Mission Boise, ID | Donation for Highest Need | $7,500 |
| Bronco Athletic Association Boise, ID | Gift to Support BSU Student-Athletes | $5,000 |
| Terry Reilly Health Services Nampa, ID | Health Services | $3,000 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $2,000 |
| St Al's Foundation Boise, ID | Event Sponsor | $1,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Step Forward Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,996,207 | $296,282 | $441,450 | $368,719 | 11 | $368,719 | $242,946 | $448,153 |
| 2024 | $8,147,356 | $923,371 | $259,816 | $197,945 | 14 | $197,945 | $870,892 | $416,597 |
| 2023 | $7,478,308 | $416,944 | $393,638 | $325,155 | 11 | $325,155 | $351,661 | $392,467 |
| 2022 | $7,455,720 | $5,072,306 | $1,255,993 | $1,209,285 | 16 | $1,210,630 | $48,950 | $213,068 |
| 2021 | $3,639,425 | $160,663 | $251,037 | $205,437 | 17 | $205,720 | $76,466 | $214,278 |
| 2020 | $3,730,227 | $27,800 | $251,906 | $208,925 | 12 | — | $25,138 | $200,794 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Step Forward Trust reported a distributable amount of $448K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the Trust is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations and activities including early childhood education scholarships, literacy education, student-athlete programs, food assistance, health services, and event sponsorships.
Among the organizations it supported, Learning Lab describes its mission as creating welcoming classrooms and communities that support human connection and learning, using personalized education to serve adults and families. Bronco Athletic Association says it promotes and advances Boise State University’s athletic programs and creates opportunities for student athletes.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Trust made 11 grants totaling $368,719. Grants ranged from $500 to $250,000, with a median of $7,500. Notable grants included $250,000 to YMCA in Chicago for a gala paddle-raise match, $50,000 to College of Western Idaho for an early childhood education scholarship, and $22,000 to Learning Lab for literacy education. Other grants included $17,219 to St Joseph’s Catholic School for event sponsorship and $10,000 to Idaho Foodbank for a back-to-school drive.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists James Chalfant, Gayle Chalfant, Martha Chalfant, and John Chalfant as co-trustees.
The Step Forward Trust's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gayle Chalfant
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
James Chalfant
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
John Chalfant
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Martha Chalfant
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Step Forward Trust
How much does The Step Forward Trust give each year?
The Step Forward Trust gave $369K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $198K across 14 grants.
What is The Step Forward Trust's typical grant size?
The Step Forward Trust's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $33,520, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Step Forward Trust that year got $26K on average.
Where does The Step Forward Trust give grants?
The Step Forward Trust gives mostly in Illinois: 68% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Idaho (32%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boise, ID (7 grants) and Nampa, ID (2 grants).
Does The Step Forward Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on The Step Forward Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Step Forward Trust's largest grantees?
The Step Forward Trust's largest 2025 grantees include YMCA ($250,000), College of Western Idaho ($50,000) and Learning Lab ($22,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($2,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Step Forward Trust?
The Step Forward Trust reported $8.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $369K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $448K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Step Forward Trust fund?
No mission statement for the Trust is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations and activities including early childhood education scholarships, literacy education, student-athlete programs, food assistance, health services, and event sponsorships. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Step Forward Trust?
The Trust states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Step Forward Trust's EIN?
The Step Forward Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-2907927. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Step Forward Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Step Forward Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Idaho Community Foundation Inc
Boise, ID
The Idaho Community Foundation funds Idaho nonprofits, community organizations, and public entities in areas including health, housing, education, arts and culture, the environment, and community benefit. Its 2024 grants had a median of $14,082; its regional program typically awards $3,000–$8,000, with requests capped at $25,000. It accepts applications through specific programs and its online portal, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$260.6M
Grants
348
Total Given
$12.8M
Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation Inc
McCall, ID
The Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation supports qualified tax-exempt Idaho nonprofits, prioritizing outreach and education for children, underserved communities, and underserved populations; it also funds scholarships through participating colleges. In 2025, grants ranged from $825 to $480,050, with a median of $15,000. It accepts unsolicited applications through an annual online grant cycle.
Assets
$43.5M
Grants
85
Total Given
$4.9M
Four J Foundation
Boise, ID
The Four J Foundation funds qualified charities serving disadvantaged children, financially disadvantaged older adults, people experiencing homelessness, and people with disabilities, prioritizing programs that build self-reliance. Grants are typically around $5,000 (2025 awards ranged from $1,000 to $80,000), with nearly all funding going to Idaho and a small share to Oregon. It accepts written requests that include the organization’s budget and program description, and reviews prospective programs annually.
Assets
$3.7M
Grants
50
Total Given
$401K
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
St Luke's Health System Ltd
Boise, ID
St. Luke’s Health System funds nonprofit programs and community-focused events that improve health, with priority for needs identified in its community health assessments and social factors such as housing, behavioral health, and access to care. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,682 to $3.1 million, with a median of $14,576; funding supports communities across Idaho, including the Magic Valley. It provides an online application route for grant and sponsorship requests, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.6B
Grants
96
Total Given
$6.7M
Idaho Power Foundation Inc
Boise, ID
The foundation funds health and human services, arts and culture, and civic and community needs in Southern Idaho, Eastern Oregon, and Northern Nevada. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median of $2,500. It does not limit giving to preselected organizations; applications are available by request.
Assets
$5.4M
Grants
110
Total Given
$679K
More similar funders
More Funders in Idaho
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Step Forward Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-step-forward-trust-morg_4708d5d8ac3d420080bbe712b8b56484
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_822907927_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Step Forward Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-step-forward-trust-morg_4708d5d8ac3d420080bbe712b8b56484},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Step Forward Trust'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.
The Step Forward Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?