---
title: "Monthly check-in 2: Mission, theory of change & impact evaluation"
slug: "monthly-check-in-2-mission-theory-of-change-impact-evaluation"
updated: 2025-06-18T07:54:44Z
published: 2025-06-18T07:54:44Z
canonical: "resourceportal.antientropy.org/monthly-check-in-2-mission-theory-of-change-impact-evaluation"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://resourceportal.antientropy.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Monthly check-in 2: Mission, theory of change & impact evaluation

### Who is this for?

          

This content is designed for participants in Anti Entropy's [SparkWell](https://www.antientropy.org/sparkwell) fiscal sponsorship program. While some context will be specific to SparkWell and may need more context, we've made these resources public because they may, nevertheless, be useful to others who may be founding or building an organization.

          All check-ins

          

1. [Introduction & onboarding](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-1-onboarding)
2. **Mission, theory of change & impact evaluation (*current stage*)**
3. [Fundraising strategy & donor management](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in)
4. [Financial management & budgeting](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-1)
5. [Legal compliance & risk management](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-5-legal-compliance-risk-management)
6. [Infosec & GDPR](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-6-infosec-gdpr)
7. [Brand development & marketing](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-7-brand-development-marketing)
8. ["Bus-proofing" & sustainability strategy](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-8-bus-proofing-sustainability-strategy)
9. [HR systems & hiring strategy](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-9-hr-systems-hiring-strategy)
10. [Board development & governance](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-10-board-development-governance)
11. [Revisited: Mission, theory of change & impact evaluation](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-11-revisited-mission-theory-of-change-impact-evaluation)
12. [Graduation](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in-12-graduation)

## Mission, theory of change & impact evaluation

### Why is this important?

When setting up a nonprofit, it’s crucial to clearly define your mission, theory of change, and impact evaluation because they provide direction, discipline, and accountability. The mission explains why the organization exists and guides decisions; the theory of change maps out how your activities are expected to create the desired impact, ensuring your work is strategically aligned; and impact evaluation measures whether your efforts are actually making a difference, allowing for continuous improvement and demonstrating effectiveness to funders and stakeholders. Together, these elements help ensure the nonprofit stays focused, effective, and credible.

          

### Suggested reading

          

**Nonprofit Operations Playbook:**

- [Understand your mission & values](https://astera-institute.notion.site/Understand-your-mission-values-1bbaa1d01f24814aac77cd18cf656dbf)
- [Begin strategic planning](https://astera-institute.notion.site/Begin-strategic-planning-1bbaa1d01f248182b06ed7e934d2beb1)
- [Understand your business structure](https://astera-institute.notion.site/Understand-your-business-structure-1bbaa1d01f248123a83dc06501debdcc)
- [Choose a state](https://astera-institute.notion.site/Choose-a-state-1bbaa1d01f24814a8f0cf30bc83fe2a2)

**Other Related Readings**

- [Starting a Nonprofit or Charity in the US](/v1/docs/how-to-start-a-nonprofit-us)

### Milestones

Aim to complete these before your next monthly check-in:

✔️ Mission statement written ✔️ Theory of change created

#### (Optional) Further outcomes

Consider completing these throughout the program:

✔️ Values written ✔️ Market research conducted ✔️ Competitive advantages determined ✔️ Logic model strategy and framework design discussed ✔️ Impact measurement approaches discussed ✔️ Program evaluation planned

### Next up: Fundraising strategy & donor management

When setting up a nonprofit, it’s essential to think about fundraising strategy and donor management because funding is what enables the organization to carry out its mission, while strong donor relationships ensure long-term sustainability.

See the [Fundraising strategy & donor management](/v1/docs/monthly-check-in) worksheet for more information.