If you’re creating a nonprofit organization, you’ll need to craft a mission statement, which is a critical part of any organization, outlining what the nonprofit does and why it exists. This guide will show you how to write a great mission statement for your nonprofit organization as part of your business plan for nonprofit organization.
What Is A Mission Statement For Nonprofits?
A mission statement is a brief description of an organization’s purpose or reason for existence. It typically answers the question, “Why does our nonprofit exist?” or “What Is Our Purpose?” A mission statement should be clear, concise, and easy to understand.
Additionally, some nonprofits will also create a vision statement. A vision statement is a description of what the nonprofit hopes to achieve in the future. It describes the organization’s long-term goals and ambitions. Both statements are important, but the mission statement is more focused on the present, while the vision statement looks to the future.
Why Is A Mission Statement Important?
A mission statement is important because it serves as a guiding force for an organization. It helps the internal staff to stay focused on their goals and stay true to their values. It does this by providing a clear and concise mission that guides everyone in the organization.
Additionally, a mission statement is important for external audiences, such as donors and volunteers. It helps them to understand what the organization does and why they should support it.
Tips For Writing A Great Mission Statement
There is no one-size-fits-all formula for writing a mission statement, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Here are some tips to help you write a great mission statement for your nonprofit:
-Gather input from your team. Your mission statement should reflect the values of your organization. To get started, gather input from your staff, board members, and other key stakeholders.
– Keep it short and sweet. A mission statement should be brief and to the point. It should be easy for people to remember.
– Focus on the present. A mission statement should describe what your nonprofit does today, not what you hope to achieve in the future.
– Be specific. A mission statement should be clear and concise. Avoid using vague language.
– Focus on your audience. A mission statement should be geared toward your target audience. Keep in mind who you want to reach with your mission.
– Think about your values. A mission statement should reflect the values of your organization. What are the core beliefs that guide your nonprofit?
-Ask your team to review draft statements. Once you have a few mission statement drafts, test them out on your team and target audience. See how they respond and make adjustments accordingly.
Great Mission Statement Examples
If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are some examples of great mission statements from well-known nonprofits to get you started:
– The American Red Cross: “The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.”
– Habitat for Humanity: “Habitat for Humanity International seeks to eliminate poverty, housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.”
– Save the Children: “Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm.”
– Doctors Without Borders: “Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, and exclusion from health care in more than 70 countries.”
Conclusion
A mission statement is a critical part of any nonprofit organization. It should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. It should focus on the present and be specific. Most importantly, it should reflect the values of your organization. Keep these things in mind when you sit down to write your mission statement. And, if you need some inspiration, check out the examples above.