During the course of operations, all nonprofits diverge from their original stated purpose. All nonprofits require direction from the board to ensure that they are devoted to their original or refined mission statements.
Ensuring that the NPO Remains On-mission
There are ways to evaluate whether the nonprofit remains committed to its primary purpose. Relative funding levels will give one picture of commitment, but so will a calculation of overall time spent on given tasks. For board members, talking with people who work in the nonprofit, as well as talking with constituents of the nonprofit will generate a picture of another side of the nonprofit’s situation. Overall business health is determined by its individual members, and talking to as many participants in the business plan as possible will ensure a clear idea of how the NPO is running.
Board meetings should address this topic at least once a year, though doing so more often can keep board members aware of the actual corporate situation. Many organizations even seek out second-party audits to see how their organizations stack up.
