Led by Charlie D. Crystle, Mission cofounder and chief executive, the company provides low-cost donor management software for many of the nation’s 1.8 million nonprofits.

The funding comes at a time when Mission is about to add about seven employees at its headquarters at East Liberty and Plum streets, Crystle said Thursday.

Mission, founded four years ago by Crystle, David Weaver and Chris Walker, has grown steadily to its current total of 20 employees.

Crystle said company advisers, family members and friends joined an investment group led by Underdog Ventures of Island Pond, Vt., to make about $1.5 million for Mission’s growth.

Crystle said Underdog Ventures president David Berge operates a socially responsible venture firm committed to financial, community and environmental results. “We’re thrilled to have David Berge and Underdog Ventures invest in our mission to help nonprofits do more at less cost,” said Crystle.

Mostly through word-of-mouth referrals, the business has established a customer base of thousands of clients across the country, he said.

As the name implies, the company helps nonprofits such as United Way, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, youth clubs and church ministries achieve their “specific mission,” Crystle said Thursday.

“Nonprofits have for a very long time been limited by poorly designed donor databases, high software costs and expensive training,” Crystle said. “The software makes it easier for non-profits to track donations, send mass e-mails and basically automate work that was done by working out spreadsheets.”

Before launching Mission, Crystle, Weaver and Walker operated Chili!Soft, a business that was sold in 2000 in a stock deal valued at $70 million. Chili!Soft is now owned by Sun Microsystems.

Berge said Mission offers a flawless investment opportunity that combines a successful and experienced management team dedicated to a noble cause.

“We see a company which makes a product to benefit nonprofits all over the country. We also see a company led by founders committed to giving back to their community,” Berge said.


Patrick Burns’ e-mail address is pburns@lnpnews.com.