We’ve talked about some basics of creating your nonprofit organization. Now, you’ll want to craft your organization’s mission and vision statements.
What is a Mission Statement?
A mission statement is an essential part of creating your nonprofit organization. It will help shape every area of your organization. Its main responsibility is to clarify your organization’s ability to serve its community.
Your mission statement will help determine the actions your organization takes toward its future goals. It provides a framework for decision-making. It should describe your organization’s primary cause. This is your organization’s reason for existence.
You can determine your organization’s purpose by answering the following questions:
- What value does your organization offer?
- What group does your organization serve?
- How does your organization serve that group?
A valuable mission statement will motivate staff, volunteers, and supporters. It will send a resonating message to the public and those looking to support your organization.
Guidelines for Writing an Effective Mission Statement?
Ask a variety of people from your organization for feedback on the services your organization plans to offer. Find out how they feel about how helpful the services will be. Ask why they feel those services are necessary. Gather feedback via meetings, surveys, and phone calls.
After you determine the answers to those questions, reflect on the information gathered and draft your mission statement. Then, proofread, edit, and rewrite your statement. Repeat the process until your statement feels right.
Your mission statement should be brief, direct, and understandable. It should not be longer than two sentences and it shouldn’t contain any jargon or buzzwords. You’ll also want to avoid using long words and passive voice. Focus whom the organization serves instead of the organization itself.
If you find that you’re having trouble crafting your best mission statement, you can always hire a professional writer.
Once your mission statement is complete, make sure you put it everywhere and on everything. It’s part of your branding and marketing efforts. Donors, supporters, and volunteers will look for it on the organization’s website, annual reports, and fundraising materials.
What is a Vision Statement?
A vision statement is a glimpse into the future you want to create for your organization. You’ll want to know your organization’s mission statement or primary focus before drafting the vision statement.
The vision should illustrate a big dream that seems nearly unattainable. It expands on the abilities of the organization to serve. It informs and guides. Provide readers with a picture of your organization in the future. Make team members and donors feel that joining your organization will make them part of something big.
The vision statement states the organization’s current and future objectives. It helps the organization make decisions that align with its philosophy and goals. Furthermore, it should express where an organization wants to be within a specific timeframe. Your vision can be as long, or as short as needed. It’s a living document that sets a broad, strategic plan for how the organization will achieve its primary goal. It focuses on the efforts of the organization on the core competencies it needs to achieve its goals.
A powerful vision statement will inspire team members and supporters and drive new growth to the organization.
Guidelines for Writing a Powerful Vision Statement
Involve important members in developing your vision statement. Conduct interviews with board members, staff, and supporters. Form a team consensus of what an effective vision statement looks like.
Add information on organizational history, its supporter base, and its strengths. Your vision can also discuss the organization’s unique capabilities and resources. Discuss what the organization will continue to establish as it moves forward. It should be informative and welcoming to participation in all areas of the organization.
Avoid generalities, the formal language above an 8th-grade reading level, and using taglines when crafting your vision statement. Once your vision statement is finalized, it should be found on everything that has to do with your organization. Consider hiring a consultant to guide your team through the writing process. Your final vision statement will be concise, clear, and include a specific timeframe in which the organization will achieve its goal.
Please contact us to help you create your nonprofit organization.