Mission Statements A Topical Resource List

The following resources are designed to provide grantmakers with information on how to craft mission statements for their organizations.

Beggs, Sarah (ed.), Erica C. Johnson, and Jack Thomas (ed.). The New Foundation Guidebook: Building a Strong Foundation. Bethesda, MD: Association of Small Foundations. 2003. 86 p.

Experts and representatives from various philanthropies provide advice on starting a foundation. Topics covered include vision and mission statements, board members, tax and legal issues, financial management, grantmaking, and grantmaker associations. Articles have previously appeared in newsletters and other publications by the Association of Small Foundations.

Feulner, Edwin J., Jr. "The Making of a Good Trustee." Philanthropy vol. 12 (July-August 1989) p. 1, 5-6.

Discusses how trustees of grantmaking foundations should protect and fulfill the donor's mission. A mission statement which clearly defines the foundation's broad goals is helpful in directing the grantmaking process. The mission statement acts as a guide to help trustees avoid funding projects which are not true to the foundation's goals. Both trustees and staff should be chosen for their ability to carry out the foundation's mission; that is, they should share the donor's vision. Trustees, staff, and grant recipients must work together to build a successful partnership which will further the foundation's goals. Trustees must also take an active part in managing the process, which includes thorough and fair reviewing of proposals, informed decision-making, and careful monitoring and evaluating of all projects funded.

Peckham, Virginia. Grantmaking with a Purpose: Mission and Guidelines. Washington, DC: National Center for Family Philanthropy. 2000. 51 p.

Provides instructions for how to create and evaluate a mission statement and guidelines and includes several examples drawn from family foundations.