A vision statement paints a picture that draws people in.  So how do I create a vision statement for my nonprofit?  Get your key leaders or stakeholder together and answer some questions…

 

There are only 4 questions you need to answer:

1. Who will benefit from and use what you create?
2. What customer needs will this address?
3. What attributes are critical to satisfy these needs and therefore the success of this?
4. How does it compare against the existing solutions…what are its unique selling points?

 

Let’s use and example to illustrate the simplicity and effectiveness of this approach.  For this example let’s create a vision for a nonprofit that is supporting STEM education.

 

1. Who will benefit from and use what we create:

Have each person write down all the possible users, put them on a wall and group like answers:

 

Vote for the most important users – 2 dots for most important, 1 dot for runner up.

 

      2. What Children/Student needs will this address?

Have each person write down the needs this addresses and then after collecting them, vote the same way as before.

 

     3. What attributes are critical to satisfy these needs and therefore the success of this?

Collect and vote…

 

     4. How does it compare against existing solutions…what are its unique selling points?

List the existing solutions and what makes this different…

 

Now craft your vision statement from the questions using the following format:

For <answer to question 1>

Who <answer to question 2>

The <Name of non-profit> is a <category>

That <answer to question 3>

Unlike <existing solution in question 4>

Our Organization <answer to question 4>

 

Putting it all together:

For Children

Who want a challenging learning experience while getting together with like-minded kids

The ‘STEM Zone’ is an afterschool and weekend learning facility

That provides cooperative and fun activities with a knowledgeable staff

Unlike school and classroom based individual learning

Our organization allows for hands-on experiential learning from industry experts while spending time with and making new friends.

Look for the next blog where we create a lean canvas as the agile business plan for our nonprofit.