Develop Your Mission Statement

Your Mission Statement is your reason--it's the reason you started this non-profit. It's why you work long hours for little pay. It's your calling. It's what keeps you awake at night and eats away at your soul until you do something about it.

It's best if you can keep it simple enough for you, and others, to remember. It should fit nicely on the top or bottom of your stationery and on your newsletter. You want to keep this in front of the public.

Can you recite your mission statement? Can you list the key factors? If you already have a board, sit down with them and ask them to write one sentence that best describes the main reason your organization exists. You may find variety of answers depending on their own view point. Some people will look at it as providers, others may be from consumers, some from the legal aspects, and others may be from the management end of the business.

Find the common denominators among the statements. Now look at those statements that encompass every aspect of your organization. This may a very broad statement, but it's a place to begin. As you bring on your staff and board of directors (if you are a start up) you want to include them in on your vision for the organization. Don't expect people to share your exact vision. Have a group discussion and remember YOU are not the organization. In order to have everyone 'buy into' the organization they must have a piece of the vision.

Every few years staff and board should sit down and review this mission statement. Make certain that it really is reflecting what the organization is doing, and WANTS to do in the future. If it is, great. If it's not, then make the changes.

Remember every time you change your mission statement that you need to file it with the IRS along with your 501 (c)(3) application.

Start A Web Site for Your Fundraiser

I know all the medium to large non-profit organizations have active web sites, but I'm surprised at how many small non-profits still have not taken advantage of this means to reach people. So, for those of you who are stymied about where to begin let me walk you through the process.

First you need to register a name for the web site. Since no two sites can share the same name you will need to check on availability. I think one of the most popular, services is http://www.godaddy.com/ and go to the 'register domain' site. Your domain name is one that you will have to live with so make certain that your Board has approved it. At this site you can check for availability of the name you prefer. It will indicate whether it's available with .org or another ending. If you've found a name that you like and it is available then you may want to buy the other domains as well. This will assure that people don't get the wrong organization when they are looking for you.

If your chosen name is not available, scroll down that page it will give you options close to what you've selected that are available. This makes the selection easier.

GoDaddy will also offer you a selection of templates which makes building your web page a simple process. A smaller, more personal company, that I have loved working with is http://www.0grief.com/ They will help you with your selection and help you build your site. And, they truly live up to their name, Zero Grief. The owner is an SEO expert will also help you become SEO--Search Engine Optimized. This makes it easy for web browsers to find you. There are many other hosting companies available and you will pay them a small monthly hosting fee.

You want to start your web page with your MISSION STATEMENT. You probably already have your mission statement but do make certain it's one that people can remember readily. Don't make it so long and verbose that it's like reading a legal document. On the left hand side it is good to list your Board of Directors. List their name and the organization where they are employed. Under your Mission Statement you should have a description of your organization--who you are as an organization, what you do, what you have accomplished and what your goals are now. I always suggest following that up with a story or two--think of 'testimonials', i.e.:

"I have no idea what my family would have done without the help of XYZ organization! Our home had burned down a month before Christmas and we had 3 small children. XYZ found us a temporary place to live and through donations purchased us some of the essentials that we needed. We received clothing, furniture, pans, towels, and then, they brought our children Christmas presents! We thought we were going to have our most difficult Christmas ever, but in many ways we had our best--we were able to witness first hand the true meaning of this holiday. We'll never be able to repay you for your loving generosity!"


Or something that shows your potential donors the difference you have made in people's lives. You must make certain that your testimonials are true however! But there's nothing wrong about asking past recipients if they would like to contribute. You'll find that most will be very eager to do so.

Next you want to restate your goal--exactly why you need their help. Make it as specific as possible. "We need to raise $600,000 to purchase an additional house for a women's shelter, staff, furnishings, and food." Make certain you give enough information about WHY you need whatever it is you need.

"This year, in x county, 487 women were battered. Statistics have shown us that the battering behavior is likely to continue and that these women, and their children, are in imminent danger. This home will provide a safe respite for them and provide them with job & financial training so that they will be able to support themselves and their family."