An Update on Today’s Report, and Veteran Impact Nationwide

May 2, 2018

To our partners:

Over two consecutive weekends The Mission Continues veterans, alongside hundreds of volunteers, engaged in purposeful action in communities across the country. To mark Earth Day, we completed nearly 30 Earth Day service projects cleaning up parks and other natural landscapes and beautified schools and community green spaces. This past weekend we held our third-annual Women Veterans Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. This year’s summit, themed Unapologetically Her, brought together nearly 80 of the most impressive, engaged and committed women veterans, local women leaders and volunteers to help champion a movement for all women to write their own rules on how they will live, work and lead.

While we remain steadfastly focused on our mission, we want to share an update involving the investigations of Governor Eric Greitens. As we have said from the beginning, and reiterate here, we abstain from political activities. We deeply value the trust you place in us to accomplish our mission. The Mission Continues did not provide, nor authorize the use of, our donors’ information to any persons or groups for political/campaign purposes. Nor did we promote Governor Greitens for political office.

Earlier today, Missouri State Representative Jay Barnes and the Missouri House Committee released a report with its latest findings regarding The Mission Continues donor list. The report demonstrates The Mission Continues followed all established policies and did not provide, nor authorize the use of, private donor information to the Greitens Group or others affiliated with the Greitens campaign for political purposes.

The full report and findings can be read here.

Two weeks ago, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley held a press conference in which he stated that there is no evidence of wrongdoing by the charity, as reported by the Kansas City Star. What’s more, the Probable Cause Statement issued by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney reinforces the findings that The Mission Continues did not provide or permit the use of our private donor information for any political purpose.

Three separate agencies have now indicated that the Greitens campaign misappropriated and used our list without our authorization or knowledge. This affirms what we’ve said all along. The Mission Continues acted appropriately and judiciously in accordance with our policies and the applicable law.

Throughout this process, our commitment to our donors, as well as the people and communities we serve has not wavered. The Mission Continues will always:

• Put the mission first. We prioritize support for programs that advance our mission to empower veterans and communities. Supporters can see exactly how their funding is being put to use on our website.
• Act responsibly. All of our work, including engagement in community causes, is strictly nonpartisan.
• Care for your information. We do not share, sell or rent information about our donors to any persons or groups. Not now, not ever.
• Communicate clearly. We are committed to keeping you connected to our organization through regular updates on our blog, in the annual report, by email and all required nonprofit reporting.
• Maintain conscientious oversight. We regularly convene our Board of Directors, who help us ensure we are compliant as a nonprofit organization and a best-in-class organization making the biggest impact possible.

This is what The Mission Continues is about: Empowering leadership, community improvement, and a continuing sense of purpose among the women and men who have served our country.

We thank you for your continued support and generosity. Without our donors, the organization’s mission of empowering veterans, volunteers and communities through the power of service would not be possible.

Sincerely,

Spencer Kympton President, The Mission Continues