How to Create a Mission Statement for a Non Profit Organization

A good mission statement should be clearly written, to ensure that it can be easily understood by a wide variety of people, including upper management, general employees, potential clients, customers and colleagues, as well as the public at large. In order to write an effective mission statement follow these important steps.

Things You'll Need

• Flip chart or chalkboard
• Marker
• A diverse group of people who are involved in your organization's inner workings

Instructions

1. Gather everyone who is involved in your organization's mission. The best statements are generally written after gaining a variety of input from a diverse group of interested people.

2. Ask participants to answer the question, "Why does this organization exist?" The purpose of this question is to help clarify the basic reasons that your organization was formed and identify the specific needs you are seeking to meet. Write down all answers, even those that seem simplistic or off target.

3. Get participants to explain, in their own opinions, what your organization does to meet the needs they identified earlier. Brainstorm together and encourage everyone, from upper management to general employees, to contribute to the process.

4. Invite participants to help identify the ethics and values that guide your efforts. What are the underlying beliefs that have motivated the organization to begin, or continue on with, its work? For example, if your organization is working to better the environment, then some of the underlying beliefs members could hold might include statements such as "We believe that the earth is worth saving," or "We believe that our children deserve to inherit a healthy planet."

5. As a group, work to narrow down the ideas presented. You can take a vote on what main ideas should go into the final statement.

6. Write your statement. The final format for a completed mission statement should read something like:The mission of (your organization's name) is to.... (meet these specific needs).We do this by..... (list the actions your organization takes to address the needs.) We do it because.... (include underlying philosophies and beliefs in this line.)