Articulating Vision
Many nonprofits don’t have a clear vision.
A vision is at the heart of your ‘why,’ and it’s foundational for much fundraising work as well as general messaging that you can use across all communications vehicles and audiences.
When we work on messaging with clients, we often begin with a workshop that draws from both our 10 questions for a case for support and our 10 questions for a communications plan. But the most important question of all is:
“What is the problem you are looking to solve?”
From experience, many organizations have the most difficulty answering this question.
Maybe that’s because of mission drift over the years, internal siloing, or burnout and fatigue. Or maybe it’s because you and your colleagues already know the answer so deeply in your bones that you’ve never understood how to translate it to others. Whatever the case, articulating the context that drives you forward.
Outcomes of an Effective Vision Statement:
Inspires your colleagues and your supporters. This may seem basic, but it’s critical. People need reminders about the bigger picture and how your nonprofit fits into it.
Creates a litmus test for evaluating whether a strategic priority or funding opportunity makes sense for your organization.
Fills a gap that frequently exists between mass communications—that tend to give life to how an organization does its work—and development communications, which need to foreground a need and make a case for why giving creates new outcomes.
Builds alignment within your organization and provides opportunities for teamwork and collaboration.
Brings clarity to how you communicate with both internal and external audiences.
If you recognize that your organization currently lacks a clear vision statement, please take the time to develop one. If you’d like a partner who can guide you through this process to break down internal silos, gain clarity, connect broad communications to fundraising appeals, or all of the above, please contact us to start a conversation.
