How to Write a Nonprofit Mission Statement

One of the first things you will need to do while getting your nonprofit off the ground is to write a mission statement. The best nonprofit mission statements are easy to read, understand, and inspire readers. They inform people about why your organization exists, whom it serves, and how it serves them.Your mission statement will become the foundation of storytelling and fundraising for your organization, so it’s important to take the time to get it right.  It should capture the essence of your nonprofit’s work in a clear and compelling way. There are some guidelines to keep in mind when crafting your mission statement.

Find Your Focus

Writing a mission statement requires you to explain exactly what your nonprofit does. A good starting point is asking and answering these questions: Who does your nonprofit serve? Why does it serve them? How does it serve them? Your mission statement should clearly state what you do.

Take Your Time

Think of your mission statement as your nonprofit’s story. And like every great story, it takes a lot of thought and time to craft. Gather information from all of your stakeholders - the people you serve, volunteers, board members, staff members (if you have any yet), and reflect on the information you collect. You can also read the mission statements of nonprofits that do similar work in your area of impact. Once you feel you’ve done sufficient research, write your first draft, and then seek feedback from those stakeholders. 

Keep it Simple

A strong mission statement gets right to the heart of what you do. Your mission statement should be clear, concise, and compelling. Avoid long, complex, jargon filled sentences. The last thing you want is readers - especially potential donors, volunteers or staff members - to walk away after reading your mission statement feeling confused about what your organization does. As you gather ideas, insights, and brainstorm, your mission statement will likely end up longer than it needs to be. In the early drafts, you may start with a few sentences, but as you drill down and revise, ideally the final product shouldn’t be more than one strong sentence. 

Write, Rewrite, Revise

Any writer will tell you that the real work happens in the revisions. Get ready to collect all that great foundational work you did, gather feedback, and refine your mission statement. Don’t be afraid to cut it down, rework it, and revise it until you get as close as you can to your mission’s core. This may require several rounds of revisions. Be prepared to rewrite and revise your mission statement several times, and know that every great story often requires several drafts before the final product.

Hire or Engage a Professional Writer

When you are clear on the who, what, why, and how of your nonprofit's mission statement, a professional writer can help you articulate it in a compelling way. If you don’t have the means to hire a professional writer, tap into your network and seek someone who has the professional skills to help. Identify a few potential writers, explain your mission to them, and ask if they would be interested in helping and if they have the bandwidth to do so. If you do go this route, as a courtesy, be sure to thank the writer afterwards and keep them up to date on your progress.

Remember that a Mission Statement is a Window Into Your Nonprofit

A well written mission statement can help you attract donors, supporters, volunteers and other resources to your nonprofit. It will appear on your nonprofit's website, annual reports, fundraising materials, and much more. The IRS will review it to determine if the organization meets requirements for tax-exempt status, 501(c)(3) designation, or other IRS classifications. In other words, it’s important that you nail the mission statement because it matters. As you brainstorm, look at examples of nonprofits that you admire and read their mission statements. Gather ideas and inspiration as you set out to create your own nonprofit’s mission statement.

Revisit Your Mission Statement Periodically

As your nonprofit grows and evolves, your mission will evolve with it. You may even find it will change altogether down the road. A good common practice is to revisit your mission statement from time to time and make sure it still aligns with the work your nonprofit is doing. Invite your board members and staff into the process as well. Consider questions like: Are you still seeking to solve the same problem you initially set out to? Are you still serving the same community, or has it changed or expanded? Are you still serving them in the same way as when you first started?

Writing your mission statement will be a key component in the early stages of your nonprofit’s formation.

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