The Mission Statement

The Mission statement describes the purpose of the non-profit. The reason it exists.
In a few succinct sentences, your mission statement clarifies your nonprofit’s vision. The mission should be a group decision that is carefully created over time. Once the mission statement is established it should be looked at yearly to be sure it is still relevant. Changes may not occur for several years.
To create the mission statement key stakeholders should gather to brainstorm and answer three simple questions.
What need are we trying to address? How will we address these needs? What principles guide our work?
Gather relevant statements. Categorize like words and phrases.
Walk away. Maybe, return several days or hours later.
Create a statement or two. Then polish it. Consolidate it. Make sure it is succinct.
The mission statement should be timeless, easy to read, and tell a lot in very few words.

Sample Mission Statements
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
United Way to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good.
Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which every person can experience God’s love and can live and grow into all that God intends.
The American Heart Association
Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Editor’s note: I found all of these mission statements from the organizations website. Some were hard to find even after I used the search engine. One well known organization did not make my list because I could not find its mission.