2024-10-21T08:00:51-04:00 2023-12-31 251877456 DIANA M REED & ASSOCIATES PC 1505 E CHOCOLATE AVE HERSHEY PA 17033 990 2023-01-01 873076934 THE NEXT STEP FOUNDATION NEXT 5127710520 3571 FAR WEST BLVD3200 AUSTIN TX 78731 CHRISTOPHER HARRISON EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN 5127710520 2024-10-15 true false DIANA M REED-REYNOLDS P00466670 7175335513 2024-10-16 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z CHRISTOPHER HARRISON 3571 FAR WEST BLVD 3200 AUSTIN TX 78731 871063 false X NEXTSTEPFDN.ORG X 2021 TX ENHANCING ECONOMIC INCLUSION IN AFRICA THROUGH THE CREATION OF DIGITAL JOBS FOR PEOPLE FROM DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES, PREDOMINANTLY WOMEN, THE CHRONICALLY UNEMPLOYED AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. 4 3 2 0 489780 871063 0 0 0 489780 871063 319853 467862 0 141213 344917 0 78882 34488 35116 495554 847895 -5774 23168 2426 30226 473 5105 1953 25121 X THE NEXT STEP FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO ADDRESS THE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND ENABLE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, ALONG WITH WOMEN AND YOUNG ADULTS, TO ACQUIRE THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO COMPETE IN THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, AND TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS AND ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE. WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION THROUGH OUR PROPRIETORY RAATT METHOD OF DELIVERING TRAINING. THE RAATT METHOD, WHICH STANDS FOR RECRUIT, ASSESS, ACCOMODATE, TRAIN, AND TRANSITION, ADDRESSES THE ENTIRE LIFE CYCLE OF OUR BENEFICIARY'S PROGRESS TOWARD EMPLOYMENT. false false 198907 WE PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE FOUR WEEK TRAINING TO 50 TALENTED PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, FOCUSING ON HONING THEIR SKILLS IN DATA ANNOTATION. JOB PLACEMENTS ARE CURRENTLY ONGOING WITH WORK TO INTEGRATE THESE INDIVIDUALS INTO THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MINISTRY OF LABOUR & SOCIAL PROTECTION AND KCB BANK, A COHORT COMPRISED OF 20 PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES UNDERWENT A COMPREHENSIVE FOUR WEEK TRAINING REGIMEN ENCOMPASSING FUNDAMENTAL DIGITAL SKILLS, DATA ANNOTATION, OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION, JOB READINESS AND LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS. OUR TRANSFORMATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH ILAB AFRICA AND LUDIQUEWORKS INVOLVED 18 NEURODIVERSE STUDENTS IMMERSING THEMSELVES IN A FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM FOR BASIC-LEVEL SKILLS IN GAMING AND DEVELOPMENT, SETTING THE STAGE FOR THEIR JOURNEY INTO THIS DYNAMIC FIELD. THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH DISABILITY RIGHTS AND EMPOWERMENT TRUST AND THE MORINGA SCHOOL, FULL SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO FIVE INCREDIIBLY TALENTED PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, GRANTING THEM ACCESS TO UPSKILL IN THE FIELD OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING. ALONGSIDE THE MICROSOFT AFRICA DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, WE HOSTED AN ENLIGHTENING MENTORING SESSION CATERED SPECIFICALLY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ENROLLED IN OUR SKILLING PROGRAMS. PARTICIPANTS GAINED FIRST HAND INSIGHTS INTO THE INTRICATE NUANCES OF THE TECHNOLOGY JOB MARKET. IN 2023, WE WERE THRILLED TO WITNESS THE IMPACT OF OUR SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM, AS 70% OF THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TRAINED IN THE PROGRAM WERE SUCCESSFULLY PLACED INTO JOBS. FOR PERSPECTIVE, THE AVERAGE NATIONAL PERCENTAGE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITES' EMPLOYED IN MOST ORGANIZATIONS IS 9.8%. 434979 397683 IN JANUARY 2023, WE LAUNCHED OUT CORPORATE DISABILITY INCLUSION TRAINING SESSIONS WITH THE GOAL TO RAISE AWARENESS BY SHARING KNOWLEDGE AND BUILDING CONFIDENCE ON ALL PARTIES REGARDING DISABILITY INCLUSION AT THE WORKPLACE. WE SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTED TWELVE AWARENESS SESSIONS ACROSS DIFFERENT SECTORS AND REACHED APPROXIMATELY 770 EMPLOYERS AND STAFF IN DIFFERENT SECTORS. 82611 70179 WE LAUNCHED OUR NIKKOWORKX JOB READINESS TRAINING PLATFORM, WHICH PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS WITH ESSENTIAL DATA ANNOTATION SKILLS CRUCIAL FOR DRIVING ADVANCEMENTS IN AI, AS SEEN IN TECHNOLOGIES LIKE OPENAI'S CHATGPT AND TESLA'S AUTONOMOUS DRIVING SYSTEMS. 716497 true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true true false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true X 0 0 2 true false false false false false false false false X 4 3 true false false false false false false true true false false true true true true false false false false false X CHRISTOPHER HARRISON 5127710520 3571 FAR WEST BLVD 3200 AUSTIN TX 78731 CHRISTOPHER HARRISON EXECUTIVE CH 40.00 X X 200000 0 10913 CHARLES SCOTT HARRISON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SARAH L HARRISON SECRETARY/DI 1.00 X X 0 0 0 PERES WERE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 200000 10913 1 false true false 871063 871063 871063 467862 467862 200000 120000 40000 40000 100000 80000 20000 19722 13805 2367 3550 25195 16805 3356 5034 275 110 55 110 2555 1533 511 511 11871 7123 2374 2374 1270 1270 4961 2977 992 992 1642 1642 6446 3223 3223 DUES SUBSCRIPTION 1519 279 620 620 CONTINUING ED 1500 600 300 600 DUES/SUBSCRIPTION 1489 1489 BANK FEES 910 364 182 364 678 327 117 234 847895 716497 52516 78882 2176 29976 250 250 2426 30226 473 5105 473 5105 X 1953 25121 1953 25121 2426 30226 23168 X false false false X 156078 489780 870381 1516239 156078 489780 870381 1516239 1315942 200297 1516239 X SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION PART II SUPPORT COL C THE 2021 TAX YEAR WAS A SHORT INITIAL YEAR FOR THE PERIOD 9/20/21 - 12/31/21. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED true DESCRIBED IN PART V 374290 DESCRIBED IN PART V 70179 DESCRIBED IN PART V 23393 false false false false false false SCHEDULE F, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 2 GRANTS ARE ONLY MADE CURRENTLY TO AN AFFILITED CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION ORGANIZED OUTSIDE THE U.S. GRANTS ARE IN WRITING AND ALL EXPENDITURES ARE APPROVED PRIOR TO FUNDING. MONTHLY BUDGETS ARE SUBMITTED AND EXPENDITURE RESPONSIBILITY REPORTS ARE FILED BY THE GRANTEE ORGANIZATION. PRESIDENT TRAVELS REGULARLY ONSITE TO REVIEW OPERATIONS. THE AFFILIATED CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION INCLUDES TWO INDIVIDUALS ON ITS' BOARD WHICH ARE ALSO ON THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. PART II, COLUMN (C): REGION: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA PART II, COLUMN (D): (1) PURPOSE OF GRANT: PARTICIPANT TRAINING (2) PURPOSE OF GRANT: CORPORATE INCLUSIVITY (3) PURPOSE OF GRANT: NIKKOWORKX DEVELOPMENT X X false false false false false false false false false CHRISTOPHER HARRISON EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN 200000 10913 210913 FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION THE NEXT STEP FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO ADDRESS THE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND ENABLE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, ALONG WITH WOMEN AND YOUNG ADULTS, TO ACQUIRE THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO COMPETE IN THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, AND TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS AND ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE. WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION THROUGH OUR PROPRIETORY RAATT METHOD OF DELIVERING TRAINING. THE RAATT METHOD, WHICH STANDS FOR RECRUIT, ASSESS, ACCOMODATE, TRAIN, AND TRANSITION, ADDRESSES THE ENTIRE LIFE CYCLE OF OUR BENEFICIARY'S PROGRESS TOWARD EMPLOYMENT. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A WE PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE FOUR WEEK TRAINING TO 50 TALENTED PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, FOCUSING ON HONING THEIR SKILLS IN DATA ANNOTATION. JOB PLACEMENTS ARE CURRENTLY ONGOING WITH WORK TO INTEGRATE THESE INDIVIDUALS INTO THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MINISTRY OF LABOUR & SOCIAL PROTECTION AND KCB BANK, A COHORT COMPRISED OF 20 PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES UNDERWENT A COMPREHENSIVE FOUR WEEK TRAINING REGIMEN ENCOMPASSING FUNDAMENTAL DIGITAL SKILLS, DATA ANNOTATION, OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION, JOB READINESS AND LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS. OUR TRANSFORMATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH ILAB AFRICA AND LUDIQUEWORKS INVOLVED 18 NEURODIVERSE STUDENTS IMMERSING THEMSELVES IN A FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM FOR BASIC-LEVEL SKILLS IN GAMING AND DEVELOPMENT, SETTING THE STAGE FOR THEIR JOURNEY INTO THIS DYNAMIC FIELD. THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH DISABILITY RIGHTS AND EMPOWERMENT TRUST AND THE MORINGA SCHOOL, FULL SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO FIVE INCREDIIBLY TALENTED PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, GRANTING THEM ACCESS TO UPSKILL IN THE FIELD OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING. ALONGSIDE THE MICROSOFT AFRICA DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, WE HOSTED AN ENLIGHTENING MENTORING SESSION CATERED SPECIFICALLY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ENROLLED IN OUR SKILLING PROGRAMS. PARTICIPANTS GAINED FIRST HAND INSIGHTS INTO THE INTRICATE NUANCES OF THE TECHNOLOGY JOB MARKET. IN 2023, WE WERE THRILLED TO WITNESS THE IMPACT OF OUR SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM, AS 70% OF THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TRAINED IN THE PROGRAM WERE SUCCESSFULLY PLACED INTO JOBS. FOR PERSPECTIVE, THE AVERAGE NATIONAL PERCENTAGE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITES' EMPLOYED IN MOST ORGANIZATIONS IS 9.8%. FORM 990, PAGE 5, PART V, LINE 3B UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME LESS THAN 1,000. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 2 C. SCOTT HARRISON SARAH HARRISON HUSBAND AND WIFE CHRISTOPHER HARRISON C SCOTT AND SARAH HARRISON SON FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE PRESIDENT AND A COPY IS SUPPLIED TO THE COMPLETE BOARD PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C PROCESS OF MONITORING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: 1. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST QUESTIONNAIRE: DEVELOP A CONFLICT OF INTEREST QUESTIONNAIRE THAT BOARD MEMBERS, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THIS QUESTIONNAIRE WILL ASK INDIVIDUALS TO IDENTIFY ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. 2. TRANSPARENT REPORTING: REQUIRE ALL BOARD MEMBERS, OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES TO DISCLOSE ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN WRITING. ENSURE THAT THESE DISCLOSURES ARE KEPT ON FILE AND REGULARLY UPDATED. 3. INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL: SEEK ADVICE FROM INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL TO ASSESS AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. 4. TRAINING AND EDUCATION: PROVIDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION TO BOARD MEMBERS AND STAF ON IDENTIFYING, MANAGING, AND DISCLOSING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. ENSURE THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THE ORGANIZATION'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. 5. ONGOING MONITORING: CONTINUOUSLY MONITOR AND ASSESS POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. KEEP THE POLICY AND DISCLOSURE PROCESS ON THE AGENDA FOR BOARD MEETINGS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 COPIES OF GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY MAY BE REQUESTED IN WRITING FROM THE ORGANIZATION AT THE ORGANIZATION ADDRESS. THE ORGANIZATION'S ORIGINAL TAX PREPARER/CPA RETIRED IN 2024. A NEW FIRM WAS ENGAGED; HOWEVER, DUE TO A BREAKDOWN IN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION, THE RETIRING CPA AND THE NEW FIRM, FORM 8868 WAS NOT FILED TO REQUEST AN AUTOMATIC EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE. AS THE RETURN IS FILED PRIOR TO THE EXTENDED DUE DATE AND STEPS HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED TO ASSURE THAT THIS BREAKDOWN DOES NOT OCCUR IN THE FUTURE, WE REQUEST THAT ANY PENALTIES FOR LATE FILING BE WAIVED DUE TO REASONABLE CAUSE.