Did you know that the first question of the newly revised Form 990 (following the initial identification) is a request for your organization’s mission statement? The Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector® states that all organizations should “have a mission statement that is a formal statement of the organization’s purpose as defined and approved by the board of directors.  The organization’s activities should be consistent with its stated purpose.”  In addition, the Standards for Excellence® code encourages nonprofit boards to periodically revisit the organizations’ mission “to determine if the need for its programs continues to exist.” Keeping the mission consistent is a key consideration for nonprofit organizations.  Unfortunately, many nonprofits fall into the trap of using different versions of the mission statement depending on the intended reader or audience.  Such mission “morphing” can get your organization into trouble.  With many versions of the mission statement floating around, it is sometimes difficult to remember which is the official, board-approved, version. Did you know?  The Standards for Excellence® program’s educational resource packet, “Mission Development and Revision” includes a discussion of developing, reviewing, revising, and using your organization’s mission statement.  The packet is free and available to Standards for Excellence Institute® members It is available through the members only section of our website.  Hard copies are also available upon request. Log in  to access this educational resource packet. Not a member? Join now!