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HEALTHY LIFESTARS
PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 470916068 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE N60 · Recreation & Sports · Small ($100K-$1M) · healthylifestars.org
revenue
$464K
expenses
$349K
net assets
$160K
employees
2
volunteers
500
program ratio
75%
mission · from form 990

MOTIVATE AND EDUCATE KIDS TO LIVE AN ACTIVE, HEALTHY LIFE NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.

profile · synthesized from sources

Healthy LifeStars is a nonprofit organization focused on combating childhood obesity through educational programs that promote healthy habits. They serve children and families across the United States, primarily through schools and community partnerships. Their initiatives include engaging activities and resources aimed at fostering active lifestyles and proper nutrition.

named programs · 2 · from sources

what they call their work

LifeStar Challenge
Educational program delivered through schools and youth organizations to help kids adopt fitness, nutrition, and goal-setting habits.
StepAThon
A week-long virtual competition encouraging participants to take steps and raise funds to support healthy habits for children.
activities · 6 groups

what they do

  • Health Education Resource Provision 12 activities
    • HealthyLifeStars4Groups™ Program
      Provides the HealthyLifeStars4Groups™ program, which includes educational materials and virtual lessons for group settings such as schools, after-school programs, home schooling, faith-based organizations, recreational centers, and other youth-serving organizations.
    • HealthyLifeStars4Groups™ Program
      Provides the HealthyLifeStars4Groups™ program, which includes educational materials and virtual lessons for group settings such as schools, after-school programs, home schooling, faith-based organizations, recreational centers, and other youth-serving organizations.
    • HealthyLifeStars4Groups™ Program
      Provides the HealthyLifeStars4Groups™ program, which includes educational materials and virtual lessons for group settings such as schools, after-school programs, home schooling, faith-based organizations, recreational centers, and other youth-serving organizations.
    • HealthyLifeStarsAtHome™ Program
      Offers the HealthyLifeStarsAtHome™ program, which includes worksheets for kids, parent/caretaker guides, video challenges, healthy recipes, and physical activity ideas for families.
    • HealthyLifeStarsAtHome™ Program
      Offers the HealthyLifeStarsAtHome™ program, which includes worksheets for kids, parent/caretaker guides, video challenges, healthy recipes, and physical activity ideas for families.
    • HealthyLifeStarsAtHome™ Program
      Offers the HealthyLifeStarsAtHome™ program, which includes worksheets for kids, parent/caretaker guides, video challenges, healthy recipes, and physical activity ideas for families.
    • Online Resource Library
      Provides a free online resource library containing activities, recipes, worksheets, parent guides, and videos to promote healthy lifestyles.
    • Online Resource Library for Healthy Lifestyles
      Provides a free online resource library containing activities, recipes, worksheets, parent guides, and videos to promote healthy lifestyles.
    • Online Resource Library for Healthy Lifestyles
      Provides a free online resource library containing activities, recipes, worksheets, parent guides, and videos to promote healthy lifestyles.
    • Provide free at-home and group-based healthy lifestyle resources
      Offers the HealthyLifeStarsAtHome™ program with worksheets, parent guides, video challenges, recipes, and physical activity ideas for families, and the HealthyLifeStars4Groups™ program with educational materials and virtual lessons for schools, after-school programs, faith-based organizations, and other youth-serving groups. Also maintains a free online resource library with activities, recipes, worksheets, parent guides, and videos.
    • Provide free online health and wellness resources for families and groups
      Offers free digital programs including HealthyLifeStarsAtHome™ and HealthyLifeStars4Groups™, which provide worksheets, parent guides, videos, healthy recipes, and physical activity ideas for use by families and youth-serving organizations such as schools, faith-based groups, and recreational centers.
    • Provision of home-based and group-based healthy living resources
      Offers the HealthyLifeStarsAtHome™ program with worksheets, parent guides, video challenges, recipes, and physical activity ideas for families, as well as the HealthyLifeStars4Groups™ program with educational materials and virtual lessons for schools, after-school programs, faith-based organizations, and other youth-serving groups. Also maintains a free online resource library accessible to the public.
  • Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs 9 activities
    • Childhood Obesity Prevention Program (The LifeStar Challenge™)
      Delivers "The LifeStar Challenge" program to schools and after-school programs nationwide, serving approximately 15,000 children in the current year and over 75,000 children cumulatively since program inception, to prevent childhood obesity.
    • Childhood Obesity Prevention Program (The LifeStar Challenge™)
      Delivers "The LifeStar Challenge" program to schools and after-school programs nationwide, serving approximately 15,000 children in the current year and over 75,000 children cumulatively since program inception, to prevent childhood obesity.
    • Childhood Obesity Prevention Program (The LifeStar Challenge™)
      Delivers "The LifeStar Challenge" program to schools and after-school programs nationwide, serving approximately 15,000 children in the current year and over 75,000 children cumulatively since program inception, to prevent childhood obesity.
    • Deliver The LifeStar Challenge™ program to prevent childhood obesity
      Delivers "The LifeStar Challenge" program to schools and after-school programs nationwide, developed in partnership with health care organizations to prevent childhood obesity. The program has served over 75,000 children cumulatively since inception, with approximately 15,000 children served in the current year.
    • Deliver childhood obesity prevention programs
      Implements "The LifeStar Challenge" program in schools and after-school programs nationwide to prevent childhood obesity, serving approximately 15,000 children annually and over 75,000 cumulatively since inception. The program is developed and refined in partnership with health care organizations.
    • Delivery of The LifeStar Challenge™ program to youth settings
      Delivers "The LifeStar Challenge" program to schools and after-school programs nationwide, developed in partnership with health care organizations to prevent childhood obesity. The program has served over 75,000 children cumulatively since inception, including approximately 15,000 in the current year.
    • Development and Evaluation of The LifeStar Challenge™ Program
      Develops, evaluates, and refines the LifeStar Challenge™ program in partnership with health care organizations to prevent childhood obesity.
    • Development of Childhood Obesity Prevention Program Curriculum
      Develops, evaluates, and refines the LifeStar Challenge™ program curriculum in partnership with health care organizations to prevent childhood obesity.
    • Development of Childhood Obesity Prevention Program Curriculum
      Develops, evaluates, and refines the LifeStar Challenge™ program curriculum in partnership with health care organizations.
  • Virtual and Stair-Climbing Step Challenges 6 activities
    • Operation of StepAThon events for fundraising and physical activity promotion
      Organizes StepAThon events, including a week-long virtual competition that challenges individuals, families, and teams to take steps and raise funds. The 2025 event featured children averaging over 40,000 steps each, with proceeds directed to support The LifeStar Challenge™ program.
    • Organize StepAThon events for fundraising and physical activity promotion
      Hosts annual StepAThon events, including a week-long virtual competition, to encourage physical activity and raise funds that directly support The LifeStar Challenge program. In 2025, participating children averaged over 40,000 steps each.
    • Organize StepAThon events to promote physical activity and raise funds
      Organizes StepAThon events, including a week-long virtual competition that challenges individuals, families, and teams to take the most steps and raise money. The 2025 event featured children averaging over 40,000 steps each, with funds directed to support The LifeStar Challenge™ program.
    • StepAThon Events
      Organizes virtual StepAThon competitions and events to promote physical activity, raise funds, and support The LifeStar Challenge™ program for children, with participants averaging over 40,000 steps each in the 2025 event.
    • StepAThon Fundraising and Physical Activity Events
      Organizes virtual StepAThon competitions and events, such as the 2025 Healthy LifeStars StepAThon where kids averaged over 40,000 steps, to promote physical activity and raise funds to support The LifeStar Challenge™ program.
    • StepAThon Fundraising and Physical Activity Events
      Organizes virtual StepAThon competitions and events to promote physical activity, challenge individuals, families, and teams to take steps, and raise funds to support The LifeStar Challenge™ program for children.
  • Charity Golf Tournament 1 activity
    • Conduct fundraising events beyond StepAThon
      Organizes additional fundraising events such as a charity golf outing in Columbus, Ohio, held on September 11th, 2022, to support program operations.
  • Educator and Professional Recognition Awards 1 activity
    • Recognize champions and supporters
      Hosts recognition events such as the 7th Annual StepUp4Kids Celebration, where Dr. Melanie Russell was announced as the 2021 Champion.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Leadership and organizational capacity development
      Engages in organizational capacity building through leadership appointments and program development, including the appointment of Aaron Nicholson as Executive Director and the ongoing refinement of The LifeStar Challenge™ program.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$464K
Contributions & grants$370K80%
Program service revenue$94K20%
Investment income$5430%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$349K
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising20%
Salaries & benefits$176K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$171K
Cash$129K
Investments$0
Liabilities$11K
Net assets$160K
Liquid reserves4.5 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +58.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MELANIE J CAMPBELL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $88K
board members · 9
  • CINDI ENGLEFIELD — DIRECTOR
  • DEB KELLY — DIRECTOR
  • JEFF SISSON — VICE CHAIR
  • JERRE STEAD — DIRECTOR
  • KURT MILLER — DIRECTOR
  • MARY JOY STEAD — DIRECTOR
  • MELANIE RUSSELL — DIRECTOR
  • O KIM GOHEEN — TREASURER
  • RUANN ERNST — CHAIR
relationships · 7

who they work with

  • CARES Mentoring Movement Partner — Former employer of Aaron Nicholson, the new Executive Director of Healthy LifeStars.
  • Central Cares, Inc. Partner — Won the 2025 Healthy LifeStars StepAThon.
  • Emmanuel Christian Academy Partner — A student from this academy was recognized as a LifeStar Kid of the month.
  • Ohio Hispanic Coalition (OHC) Partner — Original and valued partner of Healthy LifeStars of Ohio, aiming to improve the well-being of the Hispanic/Latino community.
  • Ohio State University Partner — Nursing students from the university served as LifeStar Coaches of the month.
  • University of Iowa Partner — Provided coaches to support kids in the 2025 Healthy LifeStars StepAThon.
  • leading health care organizations Partner — Collaborated to develop, evaluate, and refine the LifeStar Challenge™ program