Craft your mission statement.
A guided workshop to help your family define what you stand for and how you want to give, in your own words.
Step 1: Explore the templates, word banks, and glossary below for inspiration.
Step 2: Launch the builder and use the tools to draft your initial statement.
Tip: Do not overthink it. Your mission statement is a living document that will evolve as your family's giving grows.
Explore the reference materials below before you begin building.
Problem Focused
Lead with what is broken and what you are doing about it.
We [action word] [who you serve] through [how you work].
We will not stop until [the change you want to see] because [your why].
Action Focused
Lead with what you do and who you serve.
We focus on [the change you want to see] through [how you work].
Value Focused
Lead with what you believe and why it drives you.
Our focus is [the change you want to see] through [how you work].
Who You Serve
Action Words
Impact & Change Words
How You Work
Where You Give
Trust-based partnerships
Funding in a way that respects organizational expertise and reduces burdensome requirements (multi-year unrestricted funding, simplified applications, treating grantees as equals). This emphasizes the human connection and mutual respect between you and the organizations you support, beyond just financial transactions.
Direct support
Funding programs, services, or assistance that directly reaches the people who need it, rather than intermediaries or administrative costs.
Community collaboration
Working alongside community members themselves, not just organizations. This emphasizes that those affected by issues are part of the solution.
Local organizing
Supporting grassroots efforts where community members come together to advocate for change from the ground up.
Partnerships
Collaboration and working together with other organizations toward shared goals.
Advocacy
Funding efforts to change policies, laws, or public opinion. Working to fix root causes through systemic change, not just providing services.
Shared funding
Pooling resources with other donors or using collaborative models like giving circles or funder collaboratives.
Leadership training
Investing in developing people's skills and capacity to lead, whether that is nonprofit executives, community organizers, or emerging leaders.
Capacity building
Investing in making organizations stronger overall through their infrastructure, systems, staff, and technology.