How to Craft a Better Mission Statement

Mission Statements set the scene for all the work that your organization will accomplish. Creating a mission statement is one of the first steps when starting a nonprofit organization. You will use your mission statement on marketing material, funding requests, and anytime you introduce your organization to a stakeholder. Mission Statements are important, so crafting an exceptional mission statement is important as well. Here are some tips for how to develop a well-crafted mission statement.

Make it Broad

Mission Statements are meant to capture the essence of your organization in a glance. Many organizations think that if they add a lot of information to their mission statement it will look more professional. However, whenever you add specifics to your mission statement you limit your reach.

For example, XYZ nonprofit offers services to youth living in poverty. An example of a mission statement that is too specific is as follows “XYZ provides clothing, food, back to school supplies, media editing workshops, and after-school care to youth ages 11-17.” Mission Statements should not be edited frequently. What happens if XYZ decides to serve 18-20 year old individuals also? What if they want to provide bus passes for youth to get to school? By attempting to be specific, XYZ hasn’t left enough room for future growth.

Instead, XYZ’s mission statement could read “XYZ provides basics needs and growth opportunities for youth.” This statement encompasses all the programs mentioned in the first statement and leaves room for expansion.

Make it Short

Your mission statement is not the place for you to outline your goals or vision, those are completely different practices. Your mission statement is one or two sentences that shares what you do. Make it Short!

Every single staff member in your organization should be able to recite your mission statement by heart at the drop of a hat. That is much easier to do when your statement isn’t three paragraphs long. With the example above, the broader statement not only leaves room for future growth but it is also shorter and easier to remember.

Think of your mission statement as the subtext to your nonprofit name.

XYZ

Providing basic needs and growth opportunities for youth.

Take a look at your nonprofit’s mission statement and see if it is broad enough to adequately share what you do without limiting your programs in the future. Also, make sure it is short enough to memorize easily. Then make sure you share the importance of knowing you mission statement by heart with your staff, board, and volunteers. These tips will help you present yourself well to your stakeholders.

If you need help crafting a mission statement or fine tuning a mission statement set up an initial consultation today.

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