Introduction
No matter what type of nonprofit you have, it’s crucial that your mission statement reflects your work and why it matters. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to write a strong and inspiring mission statement for your own nonprofit.
Tips for Writing a Perfect Nonprofit Mission Statement
- Know your audience and find a way to speak to them in terms that move them. It’s easy to get lost in the definition of your mission and forget the needs of your audience, especially when you’re just starting.
- Choose a way that is inspiring and progressive. It’s important to find a way to speak to your audience so that they can react positively. It also needs to be progressive and inspiring – this is the message you want them to walk away with.
- Make sure it’s tangible and precise. Now is not the time for ambiguity. It needs to communicate what you do, your mission, and how your work makes a difference.
- Communicate your mission in a single sentence. It is the core of your mission statement and should be a standalone statement that communicates what you stand for.
- Keep it memorable and make sure that it’s clear, concise, and compelling. Remember, this is the message you want to resonate with people – find a way to make it memorable, clear, and compelling so that people will get on board with what you’re doing.
- Be unique – don’t copy others’ missions. In the nonprofit world, many organizations are doing similar work. Make sure that you are different from the rest and bring value specific to your mission.
- Have a passion for what you do and believe in your organization. When it comes down to it, your passion for what you do will make all the difference in writing a successful mission statement. Believe in what you’re doing and develop a mission that resonates with others because of this passion.
- Understand how your mission ties into your vision and values statement. Effectiveness in your mission statement must be closely tied to the organization’s values and goals. It will help guide people in the right direction and give them a mission that they can get behind.
Conclusion
When writing a mission statement, you must understand your audience. You must know what they’re going to respond to and find a way to speak to them in terms that they’ll understand. You can be sure that people will get behind what you’re doing and want to help when you do this.