Does your nonprofit organization have a mission statement?
A mission statement is critical to your mission-driven organization because it defines your core values and priorities. It directs how and where you spend your time and energy.
Your mission statement can be a source of inspiration for you and your team - it’s something to look to and remind yourself why you do what you do.
Mission statements are not only important for internal reminders and inspiration. They are also important to let your donors and supporters know why you exist.
An expertly written mission statement can sum up the impact of your organization in one sentence.
Mission statement examples
Below is a list of mission statement examples. Take a look at them and draw inspiration to create your own!
1. Charity:water: Bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries.
2. Make a Wish America: Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
3. American Red Cross: We prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.
4. Habitat for Humanity: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
5. National Right to Life: Protect and defend the most fundamental right of humankind, the right to life of every innocent human being from the beginning of life to natural death.
6. Cleveland Clinic: To provide better care of the sick, investigation into their problems, and further education of those who serve.
7. YMCA of the USA: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
8. Give Kids the World: Give Kids The World Village is an 84-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families.
9. American College of Pediatricians: Enable all children to reach their optimal physical and emotional health and well-being.
10. Fellowship of Christian Athletes: To lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church.
11. Conservation Colorado: We work to protect Colorado’s climate, air, land, water, and communities through organizing, advocacy, and elections.
12. Fairness for Athletes in Retirement: Fighting for pension parity for the pioneering pre-1993 NFL retirees who built the league into what it is today – and now deserve dignity in retirement.
13. Feeding America: To feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.
14. American Diabetes Association: To prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
15. African Wildlife Foundation: To craft and deliver creative solutions for the long-term well-being of Africa’s remarkable species, their habitats, and the people who depend upon them.
16. Navy SEAL Foundation: The Navy SEAL Foundation provides immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and its families.
17. American Lung Association: The American Lung Association's mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. We do this through education, advocacy, and research.
18. Books For Africa: To end the book famine in Africa.
19. Key Ministry: Key Ministry promotes meaningful connection between churches and families of kids with disabilities for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ.
20. New York Common Pantry: New York Common Pantry reduces hunger and promotes dignity, health and self-sufficiency.
21. National Alliance to End Homelessness: The Alliance is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States.
What goes into a good mission statement?
There are a few things all of the mission statement examples have in common:
- They are specific and direct
- They are brief
- They do not contain buzzwords or jargon
Take another look at American Lung Association’s mission statement:
The American Lung Association's mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. We do this through education, advocacy, and research.
It meets all the criteria for being a good mission statement. It is specific, it is brief, and it does not contain buzzwords or jargon.
Next steps
Once you create and refine your mission statement you will be able to go about your work with inspiration and precision - and your potential donors will know why they should support your mission.
Even more important than a mission statement is having the ability to receive donations online. Donations are the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations!
At Anedot, we strive to empower organizations to maximize generosity through our powerful online giving tools.
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