Tree of Mission Growth

The Tree of Mission Growth is an organic framework for you that mirrors the rhythms of a tree. Each part reflects a living dimension of your work—from the grounding of a shared culture to the fruit of mission impact. It's designed to help nonprofit leaders align focus, strengthen structure and grow impact.

Each part of the tree represents a critical dimension for your organization’s development.

Grow your mission like a tree.

🌱 Soil – Culture Grounds Our Roots

Fertile organizational culture grounds our entire tree. It nourishes everything visible—people, programs, partnerships and outcomes—everything above the surface. To cultivate our soil, we invest in building a cohesive leadership team, creating clarity, and shared accountability. It’s where cohesion and alignment take root and growth becomes possible. 

Roots – Anchored by Mission, Vision and Values

The deep structures stabilize and nourish the organization. Roots draw strength from shared mission, guiding vision, and core values. They hold steady through shifting seasons, anchoring leadership on what matters most. When rooted well, the organization grows with clarity, alignment and purpose.

Trunk – Rings of Core Strengths

The strong core channels energy upward—systems, communication, finance, and accountability form the internal structure that support sustainable growth. Like rings in a tree, these strengths accumulate over time—marking seasons of development, resilience and growth.

Branches – Growth & Connection

Branches are the structural pathways that extend the mission outward—creating reach, connection, and access to light. They provide scaffolding for programs, partnerships and community engagement. 

Leaves – Converting Light into Mission Fuel

Leaves symbolize the organization’s ability to metabolize external resources—people, in-kind support, and funding—into usable energy. Positioned by the branches, they transform light into fuel that sustains the mission. Leaves actively feed the entire tree—roots to fruit, by converting visibility and engagement into mission fueling momentum.

Fruit – Outcomes That Grow Impact

Fruit is the outcome of our work—tangible results that reflect mission-focused success, community transformation, and shared wins that nourish others. It’s not just about scale, but about nourishment: evidence that the mission is feeding others, creating ripples of impact, and offering sustenance of continued mission-focused growth.

Seeds – Sustainability & Regeneration

Seeds represent what we are planting for the future. It’s not just about growth, but about sustaining our soil and nourishing the next generation of mission champions. Seeds carry forward tools, stories and leadership practices that inspire future impact –ensuring that the mission regenerates across seasons, communities and generations.

Closing Reflection – 

Leading through the Cycle of Mission Growth

Every tree begins with a seed, but its strength lies in the full cycle—from soil to fruit, from roots to regeneration. 

Your organization is a living system that needs your leadership.

Let's talk about your Tree of Mission Growth. Book a free call.

Wes Legg

Coach & Facilitator