How to Write a Mission Statement for a Nonprofit Mission (with Examples)

A well-crafted mission statement can inspire, motivate, and guide your nonprofit.

It is the powerful set of guiding words that define your organization’s core purpose so that everyone involved—staff, volunteers, donors, and the community—understands and aligns with it.

However, crafting a mission statement can be very challenging for nonprofit organizations. While it might seem straightforward to “write a mission statement about your mission,” conveying your goals and the image you want to present to your supporters is no easy feat.

If you are a nonprofit and need help to write a mission statement, this guide is for you. Below, we will explore the intricacies of writing a nonprofit mission statement, its purpose, key elements, and common mistakes to avoid. We’ll also provide some examples of great mission statements to inspire you!

What is a nonprofit mission statement?

A nonprofit mission statement is a concise declaration that defines your nonprofit’s purpose, values, and goals. It’s a roadmap that spells out what your organization stands for, what it seeks to achieve, and how it plans to do so.

To give you an idea, here are some mission statements from three well-known nonprofits:

• Wounded Warrior Project: To honor and empower Wounded Warriors.
• AARP: To enhance the quality of life for all as we age.
• The Humane Society: We fight the big fights to end suffering for all animals.

Notice some of the similarities between these examples?

They are concise, powerful, and truly convey the organization’s commitment to its cause. Like these three examples, a well thought out mission statement is not just a formality but a fundamental part of a nonprofit’s identity.

It is your nonprofit’s identity statement. It is crucial for your business, and the foundation of a successful nonprofit content marketing strategy. It guides messaging that consistently reflects your organization’s purpose and values across all platforms, reaching followers, donors, and stakeholders.

So no pressure — right?

What is the purpose of a nonprofit mission statement?

But don’t panic, you have all the tools to write the perfect mission statement, and we will start at the beginning. The purpose of a mission statement is to provide clarity and direction, and should provide the following for an organization:

Define the nonprofit purpose: A mission statement clearly articulates why the nonprofit exists. It answers questions like: What issues does the nonprofit address? Whom does it serve? What impact does it aim to have?

Guide decision-making: Every decision, from program development to resource allocation, should align with the mission statement. It acts as a compass, ensuring the organization stays true to its core purpose.

Communications: The mission statement is a key communication tool for attracting donors, engaging volunteers, and explaining the organization’s work through digital channels.

Inspire and motivate: A compelling mission statement can inspire staff, volunteers, and supporters by providing a clear vision of the organization’s goal.

What are the key elements to include in a nonprofit mission statement?

Crafting a mission statement can become challenging when different ideas and preferences come into play. While creativity and nonprofit storytelling are valuable, they can lead to conflicting visions or a mission statement that is too involved.

Focus on these key elements to simplify the process. While it might feel formulaic and rigid at first, starting with a formula like this will streamline the creation of your nonprofit mission statement.

Purpose: This element explains why your organization exists. It should be specific and focus on the core issue your nonprofit addresses.

For example, The Girl Scouts’ mission statement is:  “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.” In these few words, they clearly define their purpose, highlighting the impact they aim to have on the lives of young girls and the broader community.

Target audience: Identify who your organization serves, which could be a specific community, group, or cause.

For example, the Make a Wish Foundation’s mission statement is: “Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.” This mission statement clearly identifies children with critical illnesses as its target audience, ensuring that its mission is directly aligned with the needs of those it serves.

Core values: Your mission statement should reflect the principles and beliefs that drive your organization’s work.

For example, the American Red Cross’s mission statement is: “The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.”​ This mission statement demonstrates the organization’s core values and commitment to compassion, volunteerism, and community support.

Primary activities: Briefly describe your organization’s main activities or services to achieve its mission.

For example, Susan G. Komen’s mission statement is “Save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.” This mission statement highlights the organization’s primary activities, such as addressing urgent community needs and funding innovative research.

Impact: What is the ultimate change or benefit your organization aims to achieve? This should convey the long-term goal and the difference you intend to make.

For example, the American Diabetes Association’s mission statement is “To prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.” This mission statement clearly states the organization’s ultimate goal of eliminating diabetes and enhancing the quality of life for those impacted by the disease.

Tips for writing an awesome nonprofit mission statement

It’s time to harness your awesomeness into a well-crafted mission statement  that clearly and concisely communicates your goals and emotionally resonates with your audience. It seems insurmountable, but you’ve got it!

Remember that your mission statement will serve multiple purposes: educating and promoting during brand awareness campaigns or inspiring potential donors. So, creating a versatile statement that reflects your organization’s core values is a powerful tool across various platforms. To help get your awesome writing started, here are a few tips to guide you:

Keep it short; keep it simple: Try to aim for a clear and concise statement. Ideally, it should be one to two sentences, and you should avoid jargon and complex language.

Make it memorable: Your mission statement should be easy to remember and repeat. You want it to stick in the minds of those who hear it so it resonates and is catchy.

Stay focused on the “why”: While mentioning what you do is important, the “why” behind your work often resonates strongly with people. Highlight the passion and purpose driving your organization.

Be specific: General statements are less impactful. The more specific your mission statement is, the more powerful and meaningful it will be.

Test it out: Once you have a draft, share it with others and get feedback on its clarity and resonance.

Steps for writing a mission statement for a nonprofit

If you are sitting down to write a mission statement for your nonprofit, you have a pretty good idea of where you want to start. However, before you put pen to paper, start with research.

Gather information and insights from your community and stakeholders, and understand how other people’s perspectives can help shape your mission statement.

Begin by writing a few draft statements. Some might work, and some might be way off the mark, but keep at it. Review and revise a few versions of your draft, focusing on eliminating redundancies and concentrating on a clear and compelling version. Try for at least two or three versions of your mission statement. Give yourself variety. Sleep on it, take some time and revisit your statement a few days later.

Share your version, or however many versions have reached the top of your list, with a broader group. Get their feedback and tweak as necessary. The goal is to have one final version that has been built through research, feedback, and refinement and is now ready to be communicated clearly across all platforms.

Common mistakes to avoid when writing a nonprofit mission statement

Writing your mission statement can take some down a very long and passion-filled road. From being too wordy about the wrong things or not saying enough about the right, the perfect mission statement can go sideways quickly. To get you started on the right road, here are a few common mistakes to avoid while writing your mission statement:

Being too vague: A mission statement that is too broad or vague can dilute the impact. Avoid generic phrases and aim for specificity.

Focusing only on activities: While it’s important to prioritize your nonprofit’s work, remember to highlight its purpose and impact.

Using jargon: Technical language or industry-specific jargon can alienate those who are unfamiliar with it. Keep the language simple and accessible to a broad audience.

Making it too long: Lengthy mission statements are harder to remember and less effective. Aim for brevity and clarity.

Neglecting input: Failing to involve key stakeholders in the process can result in a mission statement that doesn’t resonate with those it’s meant to inspire.

6 great examples of nonprofit mission statements

Need some inspiration to help write your mission statement? Here are six mission statements from clients we have worked with. They showcase the power of a clear, concise, and impactful mission.

Step Up For Students

Mission Statement: “Step Up For Students empowers families to pursue and engage in the most appropriate learning options for their children.” The mission statement for Step Up For Students defines the organization’s purpose: to empower families to make informed decisions about their children’s education. After reading this, one would know this nonprofit focuses on ensuring that children have access to suitable learning opportunities, addressing the core issue of educational choice.

Florida Humanities

Mission Statement: “To preserve, promote and share the history, literature, cultures and personal stories that offer Floridians a better understanding of themselves, their communities and their state.” This mission statement effectively captures the organization’s dual focus: serving the people of Florida and fostering a deeper appreciation of their shared identity and heritage. It addresses both the purpose and target audience while also conveying the impact of the work

The Florida Holocaust Museum

Mission Statement: “The Florida Holocaust Museum honors the memory of millions of innocent men, women and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. The Museum is dedicated to teaching the members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life to prevent future genocides.” This mission statement conveys the impact the organization aims to achieve: preventing future genocides by teaching the value and dignity of human life across all races and cultures. It’s longer than some of the rest, but it is very clear in its implications, and long-term goals.

Metropolitan Ministries

Mission Statement: “We care for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in our community through services that alleviate suffering, promote dignity and instill self-sufficiency… as an expression of the ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ.” This mission statement describes the organization’s primary activities, which include providing services that alleviate suffering and promote dignity for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness.

Champions for Children

Mission Statement: “Champions for Children’s mission is to build stronger families with thriving children throughout Tampa Bay through our child abuse prevention and family education programs.” This mission statement identifies its target audience—families and children in Tampa Bay—making it clear who the organization’s programs are designed to serve.

Volunteers of America Southeast

Mission Statement: “VOA Southeast, illustrating the presence of God through all that we do, serves people and communities in need and creates opportunities for people to experience the joy of serving others.” This mission statement reflects the organization’s core values of service, faith, and community, emphasizing their commitment to serving others through their faith-based approach.

Need help writing your nonprofit’s mission statement? Big Sea is here to help!

Crafting the perfect mission statement can be challenging, but there is help when you need it. At Big Sea, we help nonprofits articulate their mission with clarity and impact. Whether you need help brainstorming ideas or refining your statement, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact us today to start crafting a mission statement that truly reflects your organization’s purpose and passion.