Step 2: Decide on the purpose and mission
The purpose of a charitable nonprofit must be for the public interest and common good. It should establish a single mission and a set of goals and programs that will accomplish that mission.
During this step, a new nonprofit should analyze what it wants to do, who it wants to reach, and how it wants to impact society. A mission statement should be brief, timeless, and descriptive of what the organization is trying to accomplish. This statement will guide the organization through not only its initial formation, but also future program development, growth, and change.