Your Mission, Should You Choose to Change It?

If you’ve read the last two blog entries, you know that we have been taking a look at client needs and how they’ve may have changed since the recession. If, in these last few months of the economic downturn, you’ve realized that your clients’ needs have changed, and possibly your funders’ interests have as well, it could be time for some remodeling of that mission statement.

An organization’s mission statement could very well be the most important element of the organization. To use a metaphor, if your organization is a house, the mission statement is the schematics. It is completed before you lay the foundation. It determines where you put the house, which direction it faces, what materials will be used, how many rooms it will have, the purpose of each room, and how many people will live in it.

We’re not suggesting that you change your mission completely, just bring it up to date. You may cut some programs. You may have added new ones in order to meet changing client needs. Does your mission statement still accurately reflect the work that your organization does? It should.

Don’t be afraid. Everyone dislikes the process of remodeling, but everyone loves the finished product. There are hundreds of resources available for writing a mission statement so rather than reinventing the wheel, we’ve provided some straightforward, easy to use, online resources that will help your organization go through this process.

One very important thing to keep in mind with changing programs, your organization’s focus, etcetera, is that donors often designate that their funds be used for a specific program. If you are going to use their funds for another purpose, you may need to get their permission first. Check with an attorney about the implications so that you are informed and prepared.

Resources

Nonprofit Management Suite 101: Writing a Mission Statement
Nonprofit Management Suite 101: Sample Mission Statements
About.com: Small Business Information
About.com: Management