MDO Certified
Why Become an MDO?
Structuring as an MDO makes your mission a business asset—unlocking better tax positioning, speech protection, aligned funding, and a stronger foundation for growth and leadership succession.
MDO Benefits
Financial Benefits
Significant tax benefits that can strengthen bottom-line performance and sustainability.
MDO Benefits
Mission-Driven Network
Access to a community of like-minded organizations for collaboration and growth.
MDO Benefits
First Amendment Protections
Bylaw protections ensuring operational freedom and reduced regulatory constraints.
MDO Benefits
Strategic
Capital
Preferred pathways to funding sources aligned with mission-driven business models.
Who Can Become an MDO?
For anyone who leads with purpose, we build a path forward.
Structuring as a Mission Driven Organization (MDO) is designed for those who want to protect what they stand for while building something that lasts.
For-Profits
Whether you're a startup or an established company, if your mission matters as much as your margins, you're in the right place.
Nonprofits
MDO structuring can offer nonprofits new avenues for sustainability, impact, and protection—without compromising your core values.
Faith-Based
If purpose is central to your identity, MDO Certified helps ensure your structure reflects your convictions and safeguards your mission.
About MDO Certified
Pairing Purpose with Profit
Every mission-driven business has a reason for being. Something deeper than revenue. But purpose alone isn’t enough. It needs structure, protection, and a strategy for growth.
At MDO Certified, we help organizations align their legal and operational framework with their values. When the structure of the business reflects its core beliefs, the result is long-term integrity, clarity, and strength.
Purpose and profit don’t have to compete.
We help businesses pair both—strategically, legally, and sustainably—so they can grow without compromise.
How It Works
Clarity, alignment, and action. Built around what matters most.
Every step is designed to help you protect your mission and grow with confidence.
Connect With Us
We start with a conversation. During your initial consultation, we’ll learn about your mission, challenges, and goals.
Align Strategy With Values
Next, we craft a tailored plan that aligns your structure with your purpose—strategically, legally, and sustainably.
Certify Your Business
From documentation through implementation, we handle every step needed to certify your organization as an MDO.
The Best of Both Worlds
Feature | Corporation | Nonprofit | MDO |
|---|---|---|---|
Is Investible/ Inheritable | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Provides HR Freedom | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Protects 1st Amendment Rights | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Is Missional | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Is Profitable/Sustainable | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Endorsements
Invigorating
Becoming MDO Certified was a game-changer for our ministry. Coming out from under the oppressive restraints of the Internal Revenue Code has been invigorating; we can finally breathe freely. Now our focus is solely on our mission and vision without any thought as to how our actions do or do not comply with being a tax-exempt entity. Additionally, we're now free to be financially independent without the fear of creating unrelated business income. Our only regret is not taking this step sooner.
Brandon Burden,
President and Founder, Daniel Nation
Impactful
God calls every Christian to good works. But the good works He calls us to are hardly the same. Indeed, our callings are as diverse as our talents. Yet, for too long, our sense of what it means to serve Christ has been too small, too narrow. It's time we did something about that. Mission Dirven Organizations are a step towards full-spectrum Christianity--a Christianity that acknowledges and seeks to please Christ in EVERY facet of human endeavor. I'm excited to contemplate the real good that will come as Christians embrace the opportunities MDOs afford to align their talents with their convictions.
David Gilbert, Esq.*
J.D. Columbia Law School and
Frmr. Asst. Prof, Liberty School of Law
Ingenious
In over 40 years of teaching and practicing law - the majority of such time being spent in the practice of law with large international law firms - I have never before seen a corporate structure enable a business or ministry to align with Kingdom principles, proactively protect first amendment rights, and enhance profitability until now. Both businesses and ministries can realize all of these benefits and more simply by certifying as Mission Driven Organizations. While I do not claim personal expertise with respect to all of the myriad legal issues relating to the formation and operation of MDOs, I had the privilege of teaching MDO Certified's founder, Cynthia Dunbar, while we were both at Regent University School of Law and Gov. She was one of my most outstanding law students and she subsequently proceeded to establish a distinguished career in law, legal education, and politics. I have the utmost faith in her expertise, her character, and her vision. For these reasons I am happy to give my hearty endorsement to MDO Certified.
James J. Sullivan, Esq.*
Frmr Asst Prof of Law, Regent University and
Frmr Partner, Gardere Wynne, Sewell, LLP /
merged with Foley & Lardner, LLP (2018)
Innovative
In a world where privacy and 1st Amendment rights are threatened, the unique and innovative approach taken by MDO Certified is giving us an unexpected edge in our chosen mission and market. The service was prompt and immensely helpful, guiding us through launching our business as a Mission Driven Organization. I highly recommend this innovative business model when forming a new enterprise; not only for the strong 1st Amendment & Constitutional protections it offers your organization through its unique bylaws but also, by becoming a part of the network of MDOs bringing you into affiliation with like-minded entities, potential marketplace partners sharing common ideals may be formed. The market strength of this model is dramatically enhanced by membership in a growing family of MDO enterprises to maximize the ability to become a sustainable business and project a combined strength of reach in this unstable economic and political reality. If you are forming or reorganizing your company or organization, in my opinion, being an MDO is the way to go!
Tim Rivers, Co-Founder
Unredacted Media PBC
Inspiring
It is inspiring to find a company focused on assisting others to DO GOOD, well. MDO Certification allows our ministry to freely build sustainability while granting us the freedom to operate, serve, and speak in alignment with our Christian beliefs and convictions. MDO Certification seamlessly aligns our foundational corporate structure with our Kingdom blueprint, enhancing our ability to have a positive impact on the world around us. Anyone hoping to infuse purpose into profits or profits into purpose should consider MDO Certification.
Tamara Scott*
RNC National Committeewoman IA
CEO & Founder, VALOR, PBC
*Titles and Positions are for identification purposes only. Noted affiliate organizations are not endorsements.