Ministry software supports a nonprofit organization’s mission, which is its guiding force. A NPO’s mission matters. It allows individuals to envision a better world. Just a sentence or two creates a concrete and imaginative image that resonates with an organization’s executive directors and communications specialists, as well as its external supporters, such as donors and volunteers.
Why a mission statement matters
Made up of several characters and so many words, the statement sums up what the organization aims to achieve. Whether a ministry nonprofit focuses on child sponsorship or provides the resources for individuals to engage in missionary work, an organization needs a meaningful framework. This allows people to decide whether the organization’s mission aligns with their values.
Creating, refining and reassessing a mission statement is vital for a nonprofit. Whether a ministry nonprofit is starting from scratch or revitalized their mission statement, an NPO needs to ensure the mission statement stays true to its goal. However, people should keep in mind is that it’s not about a “perfect mission statement,” rather it’s using the best words to capture the essence of the vision.
People add life to an organization’s values
Typically, individuals establish a mission statement when they see a problem in society and believe that resources, support and the human spirit has what it takes to address this issue. This type of vision inspires, motivates and drives people to not only envision a better world but to also see the change in reality. A mission statement is powerful and should not be overlooked by passionate supporters.
What takes mission statements to a higher place is the support of people. Nonprofit Hub stated that a shared vision is what makes those words come alive with a three-dimensional, impactful feel. Here a 3 tips to help ministries develop a mission statement:
- Gather all voices to create a shared mission
While coffee and bagels are optional, paper, pens, a whiteboard, markers and a collaborative, passionate group are required for a brainstorming session. Gather 10 to 30 people to make this a group project and set aside a few hours without any interruptions. Bringing many people together creates a democratic and consensus-oriented team, which adds a fullness to those several words. - Break it down into manageable parts
Just like a news story, ask the “so what?” question. Why should people care about another nonprofit? What makes this organization different? Answer the who, what, where inquiries. How will the NPO make a difference with what they do? - Put it out there and then edit
Nonprofit Hub indicated that word choice doesn’t matter at the beginning. Don’t nitpick and judge the writing – let the heart take over the mind. Keep it simple, but specific, and say it out loud. How does it sound? npENGAGE recommended asking whether the statement would be clear enough to engage people who have no idea what the organization does.
These powerful sentences that should be visible on the website, which will reach more donors and raise money through online donations. That’s where donor software comes in, as it supports the mission’s impact.