The document provides guidance on creating effective mission and vision statements for organizations. It explains that a mission statement describes an organization's reason for existing, while a vision statement describes the desired long-term change resulting from its work. Both should be clear, simple, avoid jargon, and easily explained. The document offers questions to consider when drafting statements and provides examples of well-written mission and vision statements.
The document provides guidance on creating effective mission and vision statements for organizations. It explains that a mission statement describes an organization's reason for existing, while a vision statement describes the desired long-term change resulting from its work. Both should be clear, simple, avoid jargon, and easily explained. The document offers questions to consider when drafting statements and provides examples of well-written mission and vision statements.
The document provides guidance on creating effective mission and vision statements for organizations. It explains that a mission statement describes an organization's reason for existing, while a vision statement describes the desired long-term change resulting from its work. Both should be clear, simple, avoid jargon, and easily explained. The document offers questions to consider when drafting statements and provides examples of well-written mission and vision statements.
The document provides guidance on creating effective mission and vision statements for organizations. It explains that a mission statement describes an organization's reason for existing, while a vision statement describes the desired long-term change resulting from its work. Both should be clear, simple, avoid jargon, and easily explained. The document offers questions to consider when drafting statements and provides examples of well-written mission and vision statements.
Mission Statement (Why you Exist) Vision statement (Desired end state) A
one-‐sentence
statement
describing
the
reason
an
A
one-‐sentence
statement
describing
the
clear
and
organiza-on
or
program
exists
inspira-onal
long-‐term
change,
resul-ng
from
your
work.
This
should
be
a
prac-cal,
tangible
tool
you
can
use
to
make
These
should
be
prac-cal,
tangible
tools
you
can
use
to
lead
decisions
about
priori;es,
ac;ons,
and
responsibili;es?
your
group
or
organiza;on
in
achieving
quality
results
Needs t0... Needs t0...
…be
clear
and
simple
(most
aren’t)
…be
clear
and
simple
(most
aren’t)
…avoid
elaborate
language
&
buzz
words
…avoid
elaborate
language
&
buzz
words
…easily
explained
by
others
…easily
explained
by
those
involved
…not
be
confused
with
a
vision
statement
…not
be
confused
with
a
mission
statement
…be
recognizably
yours
Questions to consider 1-5 word answers What
needs
to
be
changed?
What
type
of
en;ty/program?
Is
this
important?
What
are
the
major
issues
or
problems?
? (e.g.
a
nonprofit,
volunteer
program,
event,
business,
etc)
Why
should
issues
be
addressed?
______________________________________
What
are
their
costs
to
the
involved
par-es?
Why
do
you
exist?
(problem/needs)
What
are
the
strengths
and
assets?
(e.g.
Millions
lack
access
to
safe
water)
Both
of
org/program
and
those
being
served
______________________________________
What
is
your
dream
end-‐state?
What’s
the
broadest
way
to
describe
the
work?
In
a
perfect
world,
what
would
this
look
like?
(e.g.
Providing
clean
drinking
water)
What
would
success
look
like?
______________________________________
Specifically
for
this
par-cular
project/organiza-on
For
whom
do
you
do
this
work?
Example Vision Statements (e.g.
To
people
without
access)
No
child
in
our
city
will
go
hungry
to
bed
in
the
evening.
______________________________________
HandsOn
Network’s
vision
is
that
one
day
every
person
will
discover
his/her
power
to
make
a
difference.
Where
do
you
work?
(geographic
boundaries)
View
a
large
list
of
example
vision
statements
(e.g.
in
developing
countries)
hPp://topnonprofits.com/vision-‐statements/
______________________________________
creating a volunteer management program Example mission statements A collaboration between charity:
water
is
a
non-‐profit
organiza-on
bringing
clean,
safe
drinking
water
to
people
in
developing
na-ons.
HandsOn
Network
inspires,
equips
and
mobilizes
people
to
take
ac-on
that
changes
the
world.
View
a
list
of
50
great
mission
statements
hPp://topnonprofits.com/mission-‐statements/
If
you
share
this
resource
please
link
to
topnonprofits.com
handsonnetwork.org
pointsoflight.org
h<p://topnonprofits.com/vision-‐mission
@vankorlaar
@HandsOnNetwork
@PointsofLight
