StepStones for Youth
STAR RATINGCi's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics: |
✔+
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
Audited financial statements for current and previous years available on the charity’s website.
A+
RESULTS REPORTING
Grade based on the charity's public reporting of the work it does and the results it achieves.
n/r
DEMONSTRATED IMPACT
The demonstrated impact per dollar Ci calculates from available program information.
NEED FOR FUNDING
Charity's cash and investments (funding reserves) relative to how much it spends on programs in most recent year.
75%
CENTS TO THE CAUSE
For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 75 cents are available for programs.
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OVERVIEW
About StepStones for Youth:
StepStones for Youth is a 5-star charity with an above-average results reporting grade of A+. For every dollar donated, 75 cents are available to go towards the cause. Its reserve funds can cover almost eight months of annual program costs.
Founded in 2004, StepStones for Youth (StepStones) supports youth involved in the child welfare system in Toronto, Ontario. StepStones states that about 11,700 children and youths are under state guardianship in Ontario. The charity also reports that 58% of youths experiencing homelessness report some involvement with Child Protection Services. StepStones for Youth runs three programs: Building Connections, Housing Subsidy, and Engagement. In 2024, StepStones for Youth spent $2.2m on its programs. In 2024, the charity’s programs helped 480 youths.
Building Connections was 73% of program spending in 2024. This program includes homelessness prevention, education and employment, and belonging and mental health. The Building Connections program provided 233 youths with full wrap-around supports in 2024. In 2024 the charity provided 976 emergency food and care packages and 12,348 hours of supportive counselling.
In 2024, StepStones for Youth’s Housing Subsidy program was 17% of program spending. It provided 505 housing subsidies for youths in 2024. The average subsidy was $526 and the median was $440 in 2024 with those receiving the most having their first and last month’s rent covered.
Engagement was 10% of program spending in 2024. This program consists of workshops, celebrations, and community dinners to develop trust and relationships with the youth that are served. In 2024, StepStones for Youth facilitated 64 workshops and events for youth that resulted in 200 hours of youth engagement.
A Charity Intelligence 2024 Top 100 Rated Charity.
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Results and Impact
In 2024, StepStones for Youth reports the following results for its Building Connections program that served 233 youths:
- 80% of youths in the program demonstrate a sense of belonging in the community
- 198 youths (85%) are in stable housing after six months at StepStones.
- 82% of youths (192) are currently attending school or have graduated high school.
- 7% of youths described having stable mental health at intake to StepStones. 88% of youths stabilized their mental health after 12 months at StepStones for Youth.
In F2024, StepStones for Youth provided 505 housing subsidies for youth. The charity indicated that these subsidies are awarded based on criteria and need. In F2024, 100% of youth receiving the subsidy did not have the means to pay their rent without it.
After the charity’s engagement activities, 186 youth report having a sense of belonging in the community.
While Ci highlights these key results, they may not be a complete representation of StepStones for Youth’s results and impact. This charity is not yet rated on impact (n/r).
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Finances
In 2024, StepStones received $1.9m in donations, up 41% from the $1.3m received in 2023. In 2024, the charity also received $721k in government funding, representing 29% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 15% of total revenues, and fundraising costs are 11% of total donations. For every dollar donated, 75 cents are available to go towards the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. In 2024, StepStones spent $2.2m on its programs which represents 89% of total revenues.
In 2024, StepStones had $1.4m in its reserve funds. This is enough to cover almost eight months of annual program costs.
Profile updated on August 12, 2025 by Abby Stout.
Financial Review
Fiscal year ending December
|
2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative costs as % of revenues | 14.7% | 11.9% | 6.5% |
| Fundraising costs as % of donations | 10.7% | 10.7% | 6.7% |
| Total overhead spending | 25.5% | 22.6% | 13.2% |
| Program cost coverage (%) | 64.3% | 105.6% | 120.2% |
Summary Financial StatementsAll figures in $s |
2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 1,861,393 | 1,321,724 | 1,187,894 |
| Government funding | 721,195 | 891,711 | 236,243 |
| Fees for service | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Special events | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other income | (112,484) | 318,936 | 183,626 |
| Total revenues | 2,470,104 | 2,532,371 | 1,607,763 |
| Program costs | 2,204,636 | 1,783,367 | 1,365,702 |
| Administrative costs | 363,968 | 301,671 | 103,900 |
| Fundraising costs | 199,577 | 141,724 | 80,003 |
| Total spending | 2,768,181 | 2,226,762 | 1,549,605 |
| Cash flow from operations | (298,077) | 305,609 | 58,158 |
| Capital spending | 100,000 | 0 | 0 |
| Funding reserves | 1,417,664 | 1,882,606 | 1,642,094 |
Note: DEFERRED DONATIONS: To report on a cash-basis, Ci adjusts for deferred donations affecting total revenues by ($291k) in 2024, $191k in 2023, and $55k in 2022.
Salary Information
$350k + |
0 |
$300k - $350k |
0 |
$250k - $300k |
0 |
$200k - $250k |
0 |
$160k - $200k |
0 |
$120k - $160k |
1 |
$80k - $120k |
2 |
$40k - $80k |
7 |
< $40k |
0 |
Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2023
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Comments & Contact
Comments added by the Charity:
Comment added to previous profile:
StepStones for Youth serves children and youth aged 10-25 who are, or have been involved, through no fault of their own, in the child welfare system. Our mission is to support these young people and drive at better systems and approaches for improving housing, education, mental health, and community.
We create positive and meaningful connections; strengthen a sense of belonging; increase school engagement, high school graduation, and post-secondary enrolment; improve mental and physical health; secure long-term and stable housing; and build strong support networks young people can rely on for life. We believe that long-term, sustainable change is preferable to and more effective than short-term intervention, and that positive outcomes are possible for children and youth from foster care when the conditions are in place that allow them to thrive and feel a sense of belonging.
We are deeply appreciative for the generosity and passion our community of supporters shares with us. We believe firmly that this generosity and passion should be met with accountability and transparency on our part. We are grateful to Charity Intelligence for providing a platform that prioritizes these critical factors that build trust and deliver greater social impact.
If you have any questions about StepStones for Youth and our work, please reach out to Jackson Walker, Director of Operation at jackson@stepstonesforyouth.com.
Charity Contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 416-893-5196