Have you noticed? We've all heard the stories by now -- the ones that make your heart sink a little. Big name NGOs and charitable organizations that - behind the polished marketing and emotional appeals -- are anything but aboveboard. Some are simply wasting money - up to 98% of contributions used for "administration." Others tangled in corruption, money laundering, waste, and WORSE... unmentionable deeds not fit for a family blog. Board members drawing six-figure salaries, friends and relatives hired for unnecessary "consulting" roles, endless overhead, glossy ads, emotional manipulation, inflated administrative costs that drain donor dollars before they ever reach the cause. Charities that claim to fight poverty spending more on galas than groceries. Foundations that pay "management fees" that quietly swallow half of the budget. Nonprofits that never actually intended to eradicate the disease they are named after, who exist more to sustain their own structure than to serve their stated mission. Even some churches with bloated budgets, spending it on dubious causes that do anything but actually build the Kingdom. It's discouraging, isn't it? Especially for those of us who really believed the organizations were trying to actually do good.

^^^ That's not us.

At Steps in Time, we've chosen authenticity, integrity, and transparency. This "dance thing" is more than our vision. It's our dream... our baby... our such a time as this... and we would do it with or without compensation. Our board members receive no salary. Every dollar that comes in is used with care, accountability, and purpose. We fundraise not for luxury, but for accessibility - to keep our prices as low as possible so more families can participate, and to make sure cost never keeps a young person from the chance to belong. 

As an aside- a little more about that "keep the prices low" thing. We could charge the value our dances deserve. We could, but we don't. Many of our flagship events are geared towards homeschool (and small private Christian coops and school students), an historically underserved and double burdened population. Not only do these families pay property taxes to fund public school students' education, they pay out-of-pocket for every single piece of basic education their own children receive, not to mention any "extras."  And because someone needs to be the one teaching, these families are often making ends meet with one income. Moreover, many of these families are large families, stretching budgets with the creativity of a kid with a cardboard box and a roll of duct tape.

Many experiences public school students take for granted are simply unavailable or out of reach for homeschoolers, co-ops, and small private Christian schoolers. Take Proms and homecoming dances for example. Most children in the US attend school dances that are heavily subsided by the school and the government. The prices they pay to attend are typically very low for the quality received. High-ticket venues and DJs can be no problem for these school budgets.

Not so for homeschooled and small Christian school students. First of all, small private Christian schools with a grand total of 6 high school students cannot possibly accomplish a prom, and neither could homeschool co-ops. The experiences we provide are second to none and simply out of range without a coordinated effort. So, while we could charge what our events are worth, our heart is to make this affordable for the average family.  That goal takes personal sacrifice -- and funding.

In addition to typical fundraising, where we ask for donations, we also work. In 2025 alone, we called dozens of events, earning thousands of dollars for Steps in Time. We did incur travel and food expenses along the way, which were reimbursed, but we put in significantly more than we took out.  All that to say, we have our own skin in this game, and are not asking anyone to do anything that we ourselves are unwilling to do.

All that to say, here's what your donations actually do:

• Keep our websites running and emails coming - so families and organizations can find us, register, and stay informed.
• Put downpayments on venues. At any one time, we could have as much as 5-6 thousand dollars in downpayments to hold dates.
• Invest in durable goods - things like glassware, tablecloths, decorations, backdrops, and other reusable materials that make our events special without constant waste.
• Keep the prices for our signature dances as low as possible.
• Offer tickets to those who couldn't otherwise afford it - because everyone deserves the chance to participate.
• Bring dance and joy to small organizations - often at little or no cost, meeting them where they are financially.
• Cover supplies - paper, printing, signage, and all the unglamorous but essential details that make our gatherings run smoothly.
• Support marketing and affect outreach - so we can reach new families, schools, and communities.
• Provide occasional gas money to help our team travel where they're needed most.
• Maintain and repair equipment - lighting, sound systems, decor, and all the tools that keep our events beautiful and functional.
• Classes and education that make us better, for continual upgraded experiences.
• Support Volunteers - by making sure they have the resources they need to serve well.
• And maybe... just maybe one day... we could build an event center of our own, one dedicated to Christian events with Christian dance. Dream with us...

While we envision a day when we will be able to pay professionals what they deserve for the work they do for us, it will always be transparent and measured. He who is faithful in little will be given much.

When you give to us, you're not funding an office tower or corporate salary. Your gift doesn't disappear into bureaucracy. It goes directly into the laughter, the music, and the movement that changes the culture and brings people together and build's the Kingdom.  We're not perfect, but we are honest, transparent, and deeply committed to integrity, and we're not asking for anything we ourselves are not doing.

So, as you consider where to give this season, please consider us in your giving. Your generosity, whether large or small, helps us keep the doors open, the lights glowing, and the smiles flowing.