ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at why nonprofits have missions and considers the differences between for-profit and nonprofit mission statements. It talks about the etymology of "mission" and how its origins are impacting the way in which nonprofits do their work. Organizations develop mission statements for the three reasons in the opening paragraphs: identification, measuring, and guidance. Mission is a critical concept, but needs to be as much process-driven as goal-driven. It is the processes of inclusion, listening, equity, and acknowledgment. Mission is also the processes of the creation of structures, systems, and managing. It is in the mission statement where the divergence between for-profits and nonprofits occurs, although both use the mission as a benchmark. Mission statements from both for-profits and nonprofits use altruistic language. Both for profit companies and nonprofit organizations have vision and mission statements.
