Best Practices Manual -- Mission Statement

Mission Statement or Missing Statement

In the beginning, every organization had a reason for being created. Sometimes the reason was straightforward, simple, and clear. Others have a vague idea of some kind of role for an organization that generally fills some gap in service in the local community. Unfortunately, a few organizations are created for the wrong reason. For example, an individual may create an organization for self-promotion. Organizations that have are not well focused either change or die slow agonizing deaths.

What has become increasingly clear to those working for nonprofits is that organizations with a focused, straightforward reason for their existence are better able to maintain their vitality and enthusiasm for expansion, growth, and stability. That reason for existence is the mission of the organization. A written mission statement is crucial to the nonprofit organization. Well-run organizations review and rewrite the mission statement regularly to keep it alive. The mission statement is a tool for policy, management, and marketing. Without a vital mission statement, an organization is doomed forever to stay in the past or fade away.

The Mission Statement is Your Legal Reason for Existence

The mission statement should be the primary reason that anyone be volunteers or works for a nonprofit. Each individual is employed because he/she wants to be part of the work, part of the mission of the organization. It is also the legal reason that the organization exists. If an organization does not perform its mission, the IRS can revoke its tax-exempt status under 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Work outside the mission of the organization can even result in a tax liability for the organization.

Many organizations are in technical violation of their mission statement primarily because the mission statement has been forgotten. The "mission statement" has become a "missing statement." A mission statement should be a written statement that accurately portrays the nonprofit as it exists now and as it will in the next three to five years.

Writing the Mission Statement

Unless a nonprofit has not begun the process of becoming tax exempt, every nonprofit has a mission statement. It is required by law in any organization's articles of incorporation and IRS tax exempt forms. It is highly recommended that an organization review its mission statement every three years. Review is an important part of an organization's strategic planning process.

A good plan is to find the most recent mission statement. If there are multiple statements (perhaps in a variety of legal documents), review them all, in order to have one new statement for the organization.

In reviewing the statement, identify any changes in service or geographic area. Has anything changed about your organization since the most current mission statement was written?

At a special meeting or a board retreat, review the statement in detail:

Is the statement inclusive of all current services?
Does it reflect the organization's core values?
Does it restrict your flexibility?

One suggestion is that the board discuss the mission statement in general and designate a small group of people to write the actual statement. No matter what method the organization chooses to use, the board must formally adopt the mission statement. Copies, with minutes of the board action, must be provided to the Secretary of State and the Internal Revenue Service. If the new mission statement is not submitted to these governmental organizations, these entities will judge the work of the organization by the original mission statement in their possession.

After adopting this mission statement it is important to follow it. Every staff and board member should become so familiar with the mission statement that he/she can say the mission statement as though he/she had written it.

The mission statement can serve multiple functions:

Management Tool. The mission statement should be a regular part of all staff and board meetings and used as the basis for management decisions. Does a new service opportunity reflect the mission of the organization? Is a funding source within the scope of the mission of the organization?
Motivator. Use the mission statement as an organizational motivator. How does the mission of the organization have a positive effect on the lives of individuals?
Volunteer Recruitment. The mission statement is the best explanation of what an organization does. If an individual's personal goals are incompatible with the organization's mission, they are not likely to be a good match.
Fund Raisers. When speaking to potential donors, it is important to clarify the mission of the organization. The mission statement provides a convenient way to let someone know how his/her contribution will be used.

The board and staff should take steps to assure that the entire organization will always keep the mission statement at the forefront. Include the mission statement in all literature and brochures, annual reports, personnel policies, board manuals, public relations materials and the strategic plan.

Sample Mission Statements

Abilene Hope Haven

Our mission is to provide basic needs and services to aid the homeless population, willing to commit to improving their lifestyle; to offer extended aid to those individuals or families willing to work, up to their capabilities, toward a goal of independent living; to provide opportunity for growth of the whole person: physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually; and to cooperate with the government, private sector agencies, and the religious community.

Texas Homeless Network

The Texas Homeless Network is committed to providing effective service to homeless people by providing information, resources and technical assistance to homeless service providers in Texas.

Houston/Harris County Homeless Coalition

The Mission: "mobilize and increase the governmental and private resources of our community that serve the needs of homeless people and that prevent and reduce homelessness."

The Opportunity Center: Mission Statement

The Opportunity center exists for all homeless without distinction of race, ethnic origin, language spoken, or religious beliefs, and regardless of mental, drug and alcohol problems. Through direct contact with the homeless, the Center supports them to move beyond their condition if they are capable; and protects them if they cannot improve their condition in society because of emotional or psychological disorders.

El Paso Coalition Mission Statement:

The El Paso Coalition for the Homeless exists for the purpose of meeting the needs of homeless persons, helping those who are able to move toward self-sufficiency, and helping prevent homelessness among persons at risk. It seeks to accomplish these goals through coordination of social services, cooperation among nonprofit, private sector, and governmental agencies, collaboration in securing and distributing funds for homeless programs, and advocacy on behalf of the homeless. A main objective of the Coalition is the identification of gaps in the continuum of care for the homeless and the development of programs to fill those gaps.

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