Are you using your nonprofit organization’s vision and mission statement to motivate your stakeholders? Employees, volunteers and donors should all know your vision and be working together to attain it. Likewise, an effective mission statement, properly communicated, should help your organization stay focused on the goal.
Why are Vision and Mission Statements Important for Nonprofits?
A nonprofit organization needs both vision and mission statements to inspire, define and communicate to its stakeholders. Clear, agreed-upon goals are a characteristic of successful organizations. Without vision and mission statements, nonprofits may be wasting time chasing after unrelated goals.
A vision statement for nonprofit organizations should be more than just empty words. Instead it should draw a picture of what the world will look like if your organization’s purpose is fulfilled. When you have a strong vision statement it should motivate employees, volunteers and donors to strive for a common purpose.
The mission statement for nonprofits lays out how your organization is going to make your vision happen. Without the “how”, your nonprofit vision is just words. Your mission statement should serve as a motivator, but in addition, it should provide clear direction on how employees, volunteers and donors are a part of fulfilling your purpose.
A simple way to explain the difference between a vision and mission statement is that a vision statement is why the organization exists and the mission statement is how your organization is going to make that vision happen. Jack Welch said, “You’ve got to eat while you dream. You’ve got to deliver on short-range commitments, while you develop a long-range strategy and vision and implement it. The success of doing both walking and chewing gum, if you will. Getting it done in the short-range, and delivering a long-range plan, and executing on that.”
How to Create a Vision Statement
If you don’t have an effective nonprofit vision, it’s time to make one. If you do have a vision, is it effective? Consider these these questions in creating or revising your vision.
- Does your vision inspire enthusiasm and commitment?
- Is your vision unique to your organization? Does it reflect your values?
- Is your vision ambitious enough to be a worthy goal?
- Is your vision future oriented?
How to Create a Mission Statement
Your mission statement should clearly state the business of your nonprofit. It should be concise and short and address these questions:
- Who is your organization—your name and type of agency?
- What does your organization do?
- Who are the beneficiaries of your services?
- Where do you provide your services?
- What are your values—the beliefs you hold in common and endeavor to put into practice?
Communication is Vital for Success
Your vision and mission statements can only motivate and guide your stakeholders if they are communicated well. The vast majority of nonprofit employees and volunteers cannot state their organizations purpose. When your vision and mission are clear and articulate, they are memorable, understood and supported by the entire organization. Not only should they be communicated to your internal organization, but they should be broadcast to your constituents and potential donors as well. Consider a broad marketing plan that may include social media, posters, brochures, web pages and advertisements to promote understanding and motivation.
Beck & Company, Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors, wants to be your partner in accomplishing your vision and mission. One way we do that is to provide convenient, easily accessible, monthly webinars for your organization. This month, take a look at this webinar, Financial Reporting—Is Your Nonprofit Seeing the Full Picture? In this live presentation on Thursday, May 11, 2016, you will learn ways to provide clear, accurate information on budgets, grants, outcomes and more to your stakeholders. Register here.
Contact Beck & Company today for a nonprofit business planning consultation. We want to put our many years of professional expertise to work for your organization.