We recently welcomed STEPS to our office to learn more about how they’re preparing for the future through thoughtful leadership planning. This year, STEPS received a $6,000 Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant from the Whidbey Community Foundation to support executive succession planning—an important investment in the long-term stability of their work with children experiencing developmental delays.
STEPS provides early intervention services for infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities, working closely with families to support healthy development during the most critical early years. Their team offers therapies, education, and family-centered support that help children build the skills they need to thrive—at home, in school, and in the broader community.
During our conversation, we reflected on the remarkable growth of the organization under Executive Director Rene Denman’s leadership. Since stepping into the role in 2013, Rene has helped grow STEPS from a team of 12 with a $540,000 annual budget to a staff of 33 and an operating budget of over $3 million. Along the way, STEPS has expanded its reach beyond Whidbey Island to serve families in Anacortes and the San Juan Islands.
Rene also shared that she didn’t come into this work as an early learning professional—her connection to STEPS began as a parent, through her own daughter’s experience with the organization. That lived experience has clearly shaped her leadership and deep commitment to the families STEPS serves. It also underscored how central her role has been to the organization’s success—and how important it is to plan intentionally for her eventual transition in the next several years.
Conversations like this are a powerful reminder that strong nonprofits don’t happen by accident—they’re built with intention, planning, and the right support at the right time. Grants like this are possible because of donors who give to the Foundation Fund at the Whidbey Community Foundation, helping to ensure organizations like STEPS can continue to thrive now and into the future.
Support Community Grants
WCF is able to provide grants like these with broad support from our community. If you are interested in supporting WCF Grant Programs, we invite you to make a contribution to WCF’s Foundation Fund, which holistically supports our grant programs, nonprofit trainings/workshops, and WCF operations. Our Board of Directors allocates funding each year to ensure nonprofits have access to critical resources. WCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to Whidbey Island; all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Learn about different ways to make a charitable contribution here.