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I have always believed that the mission is what you do, and the vision is how you do it. Sounds simple but how do you encompass all the good work your organization does in a sentence or two followed by a vision that should provide strategic guidance to your stakeholders?
Tough, but not impossible.
I once had a CEO who believed that if your workforce can’t recite your mission statement, you have the wrong mission statement. I thought this was extreme however, that organization had over 3,000 employees so I understand the importance of streamlined messaging with such a vast workforce.
A mission is what rallies your stakeholders, what makes them believe in what you are doing and why you are doing it and, makes them want to do the work with you, in various capacities. A vision is how you get to that common goal of the mission and what the organization will look like when it achieves its goals.
One thing I always like to tell the nonprofits I work with, whether they are just forming their nonprofit or are in a strategic planning process and refining their mission; you can’t be everything to everyone.
I am going to say it again so the people in the back can hear me.
You can’t be everything to everyone.
Why did your nonprofit start in the first place? What was the life-altering thing that happened that made you believe people could benefit from your idea or service? A mission should be developed around those origins.
Don’t over-promise but always be true to yourself and the roots of your original inspiration.
A mission is a brief, powerful statement of the reason your organization exists. Key questions you should ask when developing a mission statement are:
· What do we do?
· For whom do we do it?
· What is the benefit?
A vision statement is the guiding image of success for how your organization accomplishes its mission. Key questions you should ask when developing a vision statement are:
· What does success look like for our organization?
· How will the world be different if we succeed in our mission?
· What makes our organization unique?
Over the past thirty years of working in the nonprofit sector, I have learned that including all groups of stakeholders in the development of your mission and vision is critical. When I say all groups of stakeholders I mean engagement from all positions within your organization, community members, families, state and county officials, volunteers, etc. The development of your mission and vision should not happen behind closed doors with only executive and board-level people. Inclusivity in the development of your mission and vision will create a sense of belonging for everyone. This is the best way to advance your mission.
If Greater Pike Community Foundation can help your organization get this work off the ground, we are happy to brainstorm with you. to create and sustain meaningful and engaging work that continues to serve our most vulnerable. Please contact Jess Zufall, Executive Director, here.
For Good. Forever.
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