Mission Statement Worksheet
Your roadmap to a powerful, IRS-approved mission statement
Why This Matters
Your mission statement is the foundation of your 501(c)(3) application. The IRS will review it closely to determine if you qualify for tax-exempt status. This worksheet helps you craft a statement that clearly communicates your purpose while meeting IRS requirements.
What Makes a Great Mission Statement?
- •Clear charitable purpose serving public good
- •Specific enough to guide your work
- •Broad enough to allow growth
- •IRS-compliant language
- •Memorable and inspiring
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Being too vague ("help the community")
- •Being too narrow (limiting future programs)
- •Missing exempt-purpose language
- •Including non-exempt activities
- •Making it too long or complex
Build Your Mission Statement
1Define Your "What"
2Define Your "Who"
3Define Your "Why"
Putting It All Together
Formula Template
[Organization name] exists to [primary action verb] [what you do] for/to [who you serve] in [geographic area] by [how you do it] in order to [impact/change created].
✅ IRS Compliance Checklist
- Uses at least one exempt-purpose keyword
- Clearly describes charitable/educational activities
- Specifies who benefits
- Avoids private-benefit language
- At or under three sentences
💡 Want expert help?
The 501c3.app AI Assistant has analyzed 10,000+ approved mission statements and can provide personalized feedback to craft, refine, and optimize yours for IRS approval.
Try Our Guided Formation Experience →Test and Iterate
👋 The Neighbor Test
Could your neighbor understand what you do after reading this once?
📋 The IRS Test
Does it clearly state tax-exempt activities?
💰 The Donor Test
Would someone be inspired to donate after reading this?
🎯 The Board Test
Is it broad enough for growth but specific enough to guide?
🎉 Congratulations – You've Got Your Mission Statement!
Add it to these key assets:
Now Let's Make It Official
The mission statement is one of many documents you'll prepare to become an approved 501(c)(3). 501c3.app can help turn your mission into a real nonprofit.
- IRS Form 1023-EZ or full Form 1023
- Formation documents (Articles, Bylaws, Policies)
- State-specific requirements
- Compliance checks to avoid costly rejections