irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.07MFAMILY SUPPORTS ARE GEARED TOWARDS PARENTS FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT TO A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR CHILDREN AS THEY LEAVE ULTRA-ORTHODOXY. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: CASE MANAGEMENT, PEER SUPPORT DROP-IN GROUPS AND WORKSHOPS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH LAWYERS AND LEGAL GROUPS TO PROVIDE LEGAL CONSULTATION AND REPRESENTATION.
- #2 $654KIDENTITY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTS MEMBERS THROUGH PEER SUPPORT GROUPS, ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING, ACCULTURATION WORKSHOPS, AND REFERRALS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Career Services
Offers career coaching, mentorship, job referrals, and financial support for unpaid internships and vocational training
Clinical Support
Offers one-on-one counseling and peer support groups to help members navigate emotional and psychological challenges during their transition
Communications + Field Building
Trains clinical and organizational partners in cultural competency and amplifies member stories through media and public education
Community Engagement
Organizes social events, holiday celebrations, and member-hosted gatherings to build connections and foster community
Education
Provides educational counseling, scholarships, tutoring, and peer study support to help members pursue high school equivalency and higher education
Family Justice Initiative
Supports members navigating divorce, custody, and legal challenges with access to legal representation, counseling, and peer support groups
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
- Career development and employment supportProvides career coaching, job referrals, mentorship connections, networking support, and financial assistance for unpaid internships or vocational training to help members secure employment and advance professionally in the secular workforce.
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Volunteer and Professional Training Programs 1 activity
- Cultural competency training for professionals and organizationsTrains clinical providers and organizational partners in cultural competency related to the ultra-Orthodox community to improve service delivery and support.
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Educational support and scholarshipsOffers academic tutoring, test preparation (including GED, SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT), educational counseling, scholarships, peer study connections, and resources to support members pursuing high school equivalency or higher education, particularly for those underprepared due to limited secular education in yeshiva settings.
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
- Internship facilitationFacilitates internship opportunities by connecting members with workplaces and businesses, including financial support for unpaid positions.
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Jewish Religious Divorce and Mediation Services 1 activity
- Legal and family support during divorce and custody proceedingsOffers access to legal representation, individual counseling, and peer support groups to assist families navigating divorce and custody challenges during their transition from ultra-Orthodox communities.
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Direct Mental Health Counseling and Support Services 1 activity
- One-on-one counseling and peer support programsProvides individual mental health counseling and peer support groups to assist individuals transitioning from ultra-Orthodox communities to secular society, helping them navigate emotional and social challenges during their transition.
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Intake and Referral Coordination 1 activity
- Pro bono professional services referral networkConnects members with pro bono services including tax preparation, legal advice, mental health support, website design, and assistance with government forms.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Social and community-building eventsOrganizes holiday celebrations, cultural experiences, social gatherings, and milestone events, and provides funding for members to host their own events to foster community and belonging.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer network engagementEngages and coordinates a volunteer network of over 500 individuals to support members in their transition to secular life through various forms of assistance and mentorship.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$3.67M
Contributions & grants$3.59M98%
Program service revenue$7K0%
Investment income$79K2%
Other revenue$698
expenses
Total expenses$4.99M
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$3.13M
Grants paid out$670K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.15M
Cash$974K
Investments$1.15M
Liabilities$286K
Net assets$2.86M
Liquid reserves5.1 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -38.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LANI SANTO | CEO | 40 | $201K |
| JESSICA MARKOWITZ | SR. DIR. OF FINANCE, DATA, AND ADMIN. | 40 | $163K |
| HODA EL MAHDY | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $161K |
board members · 15
- ANN KIRSCHNER LEFT 1024 — SEC UNTIL 10/24;CO-CHAIR UNTIL 10/24
- ARI ROSENBERG — TRUSTEE
- BEN LINDER — TRUSTEE
- CARRIE SHAPIRO — TREASURER (THRU 3/25)
- JAMIE HOOPER — BOARD CO-CHAIR
- JONATHAN HOROWITZ — TRUSTEE
- MARK LIPTON PHD — BOARD CO-CHAIR AS OF 11/24
- MERLE WOLDENBERG GONCHAR — TRUSTEE (LEFT BOARD 3/25)
- MINDI YEGER — TRUSTEE
- NICK BUNZL — TRUSTEE
- NITZA RUBIN — TRUSTEE
- PHIN REISZ — TRUSTEE (LEFT BOARD 3/25)
- SHELLEY FISCHEL — TRUSTEE (LEFT BOARD 6/24)
- YOSEPH HOROWITZ — SECRETARY AS OF 11/24
- ZALMAN NEWFIELD — TRUSTEE
relationships · 5
Who they work with
- Constant Contact Partner — Email services provided by Constant Contact for marketing and communications.
- The Door Partner — Refers individuals under 18 to The Door, a youth organization serving people 24 and younger.
- clinical and organizational partners Partner — Trained by Footsteps in cultural competency to better serve individuals transitioning from ultra-Orthodox communities.
- clinical and organizational partners Partner — Trains clinical and organizational partners in cultural competency.
- connect@footstepsorg.org Partner — Primary contact email for arranging confidential conversations with staff.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Client-Led, Individualized Support Modelmethodology: client_choice_modelBy allowing participants to direct their own support and choose services based on personal needs and goals, we foster engagement, autonomy, and successful integration because self-determination increases ownership and reduces resistance during sensitive life transitions.
- Trauma-Informed, Stage-Specific Programmingmethodology: trauma_informed_careBy designing services around trauma-informed principles and aligning support to the participant’s stage in the transition journey, we increase safety and relevance, because recognizing psychological trauma and developmental timing improves trust and program effectiveness.
- Unconditional Support as Stabilizing Foundationmethodology: unconditional_supportBy offering support without conditions or predefined outcomes, we create psychological safety that enables individuals to stabilize and make autonomous choices, because removing performance expectations reduces re-traumatization during early transition.