Nonprofits are founded for the public good and operate to accomplish a stated purpose through specific program activities. A nonprofit should have a well-defined mission, and its programs should effectively and efficiently work toward achieving that mission. Nonprofits have an obligation to ensure program effectiveness and to devote the resources of the organization to achieving its stated purpose.
The mission of an nonprofit organization is a statement of the purpose of the organization – why the organization exists. Mission statements include what an organization does and for whom. Mission statements may also include why or how an organization does its work.
For example, a mission that includes what and for whom is:
“The mission of Our Town’s Youth Center is to provide high quality after-school activities for the children of Our Town.”
A mission that includes why is:
“…to provide high quality after-school activities for the children of Our Town to promote positive youth development and prevent juvenile delinquency.”
A mission that includes how is:
“…to provide high quality after-school activities for the children of Our Town by establishing community-based recreational programs.”
The mission statement should make clear to all within the organization and external stakeholders what an organization does. At the same time, the mission also provides discipline regarding what an organization does not do. This latter aspect of a mission may be even more important during a recession. If an organization has experienced “mission creep,” with new programs or services added that are only ancillary to its primary purpose, revisiting the mission can be a significant first step in refocusing the efforts and resources of the organization.
At the start of any major planning effort, such as strategic planning or recession planning, revisiting the mission is critical to ensure the board and staff are all “on the same page” regarding the central purpose of the organization, and all plans stem from that central purpose.
Organizations should revisit their mission every 3-5 years to ensure it is still relevant, given changes in the external environment or changes within the organization. Times of dramatic change, such as a recession, may require an organization to accelerate that timeline for review.
For access to our Mission, Vision, Values Toolkit and other resources, join Maryland Nonprofits today!
De los Normas para la Excelencia®: Un código de ética y responsabilidad para el sector no lucrativo. El código de las Normas para la Excelenciadesarrollado por el Instituto de Normas para la Excelencia, incluye puntos de referencia y medidas específicas que proporcionan un enfoque estructurado para desarrollar la capacidad, la responsabilidad y la sostenibilidad de su organización sin ánimo de lucro. El código identifica 6 áreas principales de gobierno y gestión de las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro: Misión, Estrategia y Evaluación; Liderazgo: Consejo, personal y voluntarios; Cumplimiento legal y ética; Finanzas y operaciones; Desarrollo de recursos y recaudación de fondos; y Concienciación pública, compromiso y defensa.
El Instituto Standards for Excellence®, un programa de Maryland Nonprofits, proporciona los mejores recursos posibles a las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro de todo el país, ayudándolas a desarrollar su capacidad para satisfacer de forma eficaz y eficiente las necesidades de sus comunidades. Los miembros de Maryland Nonprofits tienen acceso a una comunidad en línea con una amplia biblioteca de recursos y plantillas personalizables. La afiliación a Maryland Nonprofits está diseñada para ayudarle a recaudar más dinero, desarrollar su junta directiva, establecer relaciones, aprender, ahorrar en las cosas que necesita para dirigir su organización y amplificar su voz en Annapolis. Únase hoy mismo.
