What is Your Mission? It's Bigger Than You Think

Every week, I talk with non-profit leaders who can eloquently articulate their organization's mission. They speak passionately about feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, protecting the environment, or advancing medical research. Their eyes light up, describing the impact they're making.

But when I ask a simple follow-up question – "Who is included in your mission?" – I often get blank stares.

Here's the hard truth: Most non-profits have a dangerously narrow view of their mission. They're focused solely on what they do to help change the world, while completely missing three critical pillars that should be fundamental to their purpose.

How Non-Profits Begin 

Think about how your organization started. Someone – maybe you – identified a need that demanded attention. You felt compelled to act. That's beautiful and necessary. 

But something interesting happened the moment you asked for help. The minute you hired your first staff member or enlisted your first volunteer, your mission expanded. When that first donor wrote a check, it expanded again. And as you began working within a community, that community became integral to your purpose. 

Yet most organizations continue operating as if their mission is solely about the good work they do. This limited perspective is why we're seeing alarming trends across the sector:

• Staff burnout and turnover
• Chronically low compensation
• High donor and donor value attrition
• Programs disconnected from community needs
• Declining trust in non-profit institutions 

The Four Pillars of True Mission 

Your true mission must encompass these four essential pillars: 

1. Your Cause: Yes, the problem you're solving matters deeply. This is your "what" and your "why." It's the heart of your work.
2. Your Staff: The people implementing your mission aren't just tools to achieve it – they are part of it. Their growth, well-being, and fulfillment must be central to your purpose.
3. Your Donors: Those who fund your work aren't just ATMs. They have hopes, dreams, and values that led them to you. Their philanthropic journey is intertwined with your mission.
4. Your Community: The people you serve must have agency and voice in your work. Their wisdom, experiences, and perspectives should shape your approach.

When I raise this perspective with leaders, I often hear: "But Jeff, our resources are already stretched so thin! How can we possibly expand our mission?"

Here's the paradox: Embracing this broader mission doesn't drain resources – it multiplies them.

Organizations that nurture staff find they attract and retain talented people who bring creativity and commitment. Those that truly value donors see giving increase and relationships deepen. And those that authentically engage their communities develop more effective, sustainable solutions.

The Path Forward 

Reimagining your mission begins with a simple shift in mindset. Start asking:

• How are we investing in our staff's growth and well-being?
• Are we creating meaningful experiences for donors that connect them to our impact?
• How are we incorporating community voice into our decision-making?
• Are we building relationships or just managing transactions? 

When organizations embrace all four pillars, remarkable things happen. Programs become more effective. Fundraising becomes more joyful. Staff feel more fulfilled. Communities feel more empowered.

Your mission isn't just what you do. It's who you include. It's how you treat people. It's the relationships you build along the way.

So I'll ask you again: What is your mission? And who is included in it?