Company Research Report on Support the Enlisted Project (STEP)

Company Overview

Name

Support the Enlisted Project (STEP)

Mission

STEP's mission is to improve financial wellness to combat food insecurity, homelessness, mental health conditions, suicide, and other crises through counseling, education, and financial support for enlisted service members, veterans, and their families.

Founded

October 2012

Founders

Tony Teravainen, USN (Ret.), CEO & Co-Founder

Other founders are not specified

Key People

Tony Teravainen, CEO & Co-Founder

Kathi Bradshaw, Vice President

Barb Fiorina, Development Manager

Jennifer Handy, Institutional Giving Manager

Ron Desmarais, Donor Engagement and Gifts Officer

Rena Rhine, Client Services Supervisor

Tracy Owens, USN (Ret.), Programs Manager

Selya Stice, Marketing Coordinator

Headquarters

San Diego, CA: 9915 Businesspark Ave., Suite A, San Diego, CA 92131

Number of Employees

11 employees and hundreds of volunteers (Exact number of employees is unspecified)

Revenue

Not specified

Notable Recognition

Ranked #30 nationally among charities that support military, Veterans, and their families.

Nonprofit of the Year by San Diego Business Journal Citizenship Awards 2022.

What is the company known for?

STEP is known for building financial self-sufficiency among junior active duty enlisted members and recently discharged enlisted veterans and their families facing financial crises.

Products and Services

Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA)

Description: The EFA program avoids crisis and assures that basic needs are retained during financial crises, bridging families to financial self-sufficiency through one-on-one counseling.

Key Features:

Financial counseling and education on budgeting and debt reduction.

Provides financial aid to cover essential needs and prevent housing evictions and utility cut-offs.

Warehouse on Wheels

Description: Regular distributions of essential goods such as food, diapers, and hygiene items to military personnel and their families.

Financial Freedom Workshops

Description: Interactive workshops designed to empower attendees to develop personal financial goals and an actionable plan to achieve them.

Holiday Programs

Description: Provides assistance during holidays with essentials like food and gifts.

Cammies to College

Description: An initiative to help military personnel and families plan educational futures with local colleges and resources.

Car Giveaway

Description: Facilitates occasional car giveaways to service members and their families.

Recent Developments

New Products/Initiatives

Capacity Building Campaign: Launched to expand national impact. Target is $6.5 million, with $4 million already achieved, showcasing community dedication.

New Features or Enhancements

Giving Tuesday Partnership: Engaged with Champions for Youth to maximize donations with matched giving opportunities.

Partnerships

Collaborates with several organizations including the San Diego Military Family Collaborative and San Diego Veterans Coalition for providing comprehensive support to service members.

Community and Financial Support

Received substantial grants from organizations such as the Callaway Golf Company Foundation.

Conclusion

Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) plays a critical role in supporting military service members and their families in financial crisis, providing essential services and education to promote financial self-sufficiency. The organization continues to expand its reach and impact through innovative campaigns and strong community partnerships.