The mission statement communicates the nonprofit's purpose, what groups it serves, and how it plans to do so. For a new nonprofit, developing the mission statement is a critical first step in defining what the organization plans to do and what makes it different from other organizations in the same field.
Expressing an organization's mission in clear and concise terms can be a difficult process, requiring input from individual board members, staff, volunteers, and other groups. Although this process requires time and effort, a well-crafted mission statement will provide direction and purpose for the organization; motivate staff and volunteers; appeal to donors and other supporters; and provide a means of evaluating organizational achievement.
Write the BEST Nonprofit Mission Statement
WildApricot
Discusses what a mission statement is and why it matters, and how to write a nonprofit mission statement. Includes 15 nonprofit mission statement examples and a free template.
Craft a Powerful Mission Statement: Examples, AI Prompts & Tips
Karen Eber Davis Consulting
Provides guidance for developing a good mission statement, along with several examples.
Nonprofit Mission Statement
BoardSource
Outlines the purpose of a mission statement and provides ideas on how to ensure a productive process as the board develops a statement.
Nonprofit Mission Statements
MissionStatements.com
Provides a sample listing of mission statements for various types of nonprofit organizations.
How to Write an Amazing Nonprofit Mission Statement
LiveAbout.com
Contains an overview of the benefits of mission statements, tips on composing a well-defined mission statement, and several examples.