Updated: October 2026. We checked every statement on this list against the organization’s own website.
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.
A well-written mission statement can sum up the impact of your organization in one sentence.
What is a mission statement? A mission statement is one or two sentences that say what your organization does, who it serves, and why it matters. The strongest nonprofit mission statements are specific, brief, and free of jargon. Among the 21 examples below, the median length is 16 words.
Mission statement examples
Below is a list of mission statement examples. Take a look at them and draw inspiration to create your own!
Each statement below is quoted from the organization’s website as of October 2026. When we rechecked this list, 10 statements had changed, so we updated them, and we replaced two organizations.
1. charity: water: charity: water is a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe water to people around the world.
2. Make-A-Wish America: Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
3. American Red Cross: 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.
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. The Nature Conservancy: To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.
6. Cleveland Clinic: Caring for life, researching for health, educating 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 89-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: The Mission of the American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) is to produce and disseminate ethically and scientifically sound policy to health care professionals, parents, policy makers, and society that promotes the optimal physical and emotional health and well-being of children.
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, we build political power that drives Colorado toward a better future.
12. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
13. Feeding America: Our mission is to advance change in America by ensuring fair access to nutritious food for all in partnership with food banks, policymakers, supporters, and the communities we serve.
14. American Diabetes Association: To prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
15. African Wildlife Foundation: Our mission is to ensure wildlife and wild lands thrive in modern Africa.
16. Navy SEAL Foundation: Our mission is to provide critical support for the warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare (NSW).
17. American Lung Association: To save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.
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 National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States.
→ Starting from scratch? Read our guide on how to start a nonprofit.
What these 21 mission statements have in common
- They are short. The median is 16 words, and 17 of the 21 are 25 words or fewer. The shortest, Books For Africa, is 7 words: “To end the book famine in Africa.”
- Most lead with action. Six start with “To” and a verb, and most of the rest put the verb right after the organization’s name.
- The longest one reads like policy. At 40 words, the American College of Pediatricians statement lists every audience it serves. Compare it with The Nature Conservancy’s 11 words, which say the same kind of thing in one breath.
- They change. 10 of the 21 statements no longer matched the wording on the organization’s website when we rechecked them. Review yours whenever your programs or the people you serve change.
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:
To save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.
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.
Before you finalize yours, test it with five questions:
- Who do you serve?
- What do you do for them?
- Where do you work, if place matters?
- Why does it matter, and what changes because you exist?
- Could a supporter repeat it from memory after reading it once?
How to write a mission statement in 5 steps
- Name who you serve. Be specific: “families of kids with disabilities” beats “the community.”
- Name what you do in plain verbs. Provide, protect, build, feed, mentor, teach.
- Add where, if it matters. A local food pantry should say its city or county; a national group may not need to.
- Say what changes. End with the result: homes built, children fed, lives saved.
- Test and trim. Read it to your board, staff, and a few supporters. If they cannot repeat it, cut it. Aim for 25 words or fewer.
Template: [Organization] [does what] for [whom] in [where] so that [result].
Example (fictional): Riverside Food Share provides fresh groceries to families in Riverside County so no child goes to school hungry.
If you are just starting out, see how to start a nonprofit and how to become a 501(c)(3).
Mission vs. vision vs. values
- Mission: what you do now, and for whom. Habitat for Humanity’s mission: “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.”
- Vision: the future you are working toward. Habitat’s vision: “A world where everyone has a decent place to live.”
- Values: how you work along the way, such as integrity, stewardship, or service.
Read more on why a clear organizational vision matters and how to revisit your strategic plan.
Mission statement tips for nonprofits, churches, campaigns, and schools
- Nonprofits: name the people you serve and the change you make, then back it up with one number on your website or in your annual report.
- Churches and ministries: many faith-based statements, like those from YMCA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Key Ministry, lead with faith. Pair that with a plain line about who you serve so newcomers understand it too.
- Campaigns: a campaign rarely needs a formal mission statement, but one sentence on why you are running and who you will fight for does the same job on your website and donation page.
- Schools: name your students, the kind of education you offer, and the result you want for them.
→ Turn your mission into gifts: how to set up a donation page that converts.
Put your mission statement to work
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.
Put it everywhere supporters decide whether to give: your homepage, your about page, your annual report, and your donation page. On an Anedot donation page, you can add your mission as a Text block and use an Impact block to show what a gift does. Our guide to setting up a donation page that converts walks through it.
Ready to put your mission in front of donors? Get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mission statement?
A mission statement is one or two sentences that say what your organization does, who it serves, and why it matters.
How long should a mission statement be?
One sentence is usually enough. Among the 21 examples in this post, the median is 16 words, and 17 are 25 words or fewer.
What are the parts of a mission statement?
Who you serve, what you do, where you do it if place matters, and what changes because of your work.
What is the difference between a mission statement and a vision statement?
A mission says what you do now and for whom. A vision describes the future you are working toward.
How do you write a nonprofit mission statement?
Name who you serve, describe what you do in plain verbs, add where if it matters, end with the result, then test it with your board and supporters and trim it.
How often should a nonprofit update its mission statement?
Review it during strategic planning and whenever your programs or the people you serve change. Have your board approve any change.
Does a nonprofit need a mission statement for the IRS?
IRS Form 990 asks organizations to describe their mission as stated in their mission statement or as adopted by the board, and to enter “None” if the board has not adopted one (IRS Form 990 instructions).
Where should a nonprofit use its mission statement?
On your homepage, about page, donation page, annual report, grant applications, and volunteer materials.
What is a good church mission statement example?
Key Ministry’s is a clear one: “Key Ministry promotes meaningful connection between churches and families of kids with disabilities for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ.”
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