Every non-profit needs a mission statement to describe its purpose and keep its goals on track. It conveys your objective to your board members, staff and the community. A mission statement is also a branding tool that tells people who you are and what you do. It is necessary to promote your organization and is essential when seeking donations. You will also need it to obtain tax-exemption status.

When writing your statement, ask yourself, what is the intention of the organization? What is your function? What difference do we hope to make? Gather input from staff and board members. Your mission statement should declare your purpose, your service, and your values. Avoid flowery language. The best mission statements are clear, concise and focused; try to keep it to one sentence if possible. Don’t rush the process. This is one of the most important things you will do for your organization, so take your time.

Once you have your mission statement, realize that you will need to review it every few years to make sure it is still relevant.