The vision and mission statements of an organization serve distinct but complementary purposes:
- A mission statement explains why an organization exists, what it does, who it serves, and the goals it aims to accomplish. It guides the day-to-day operations and communicates the organization's core purpose and values to internal and external stakeholders. A good mission statement is concise, clear, and motivational, focusing on what is most important to the organization and emphasizing outcomes for the people it serves.
- A vision statement expresses the organization's aspirational and ambitious long-term goals — the future state it seeks to create and how it wants to be perceived. It serves as a source of inspiration and guides strategic planning by painting a picture of the ideal impact and direction the organization aims for. A vision statement should be bold yet achievable, broad enough to encompass overall goals, and motivational to employees and stakeholders.
In summary,
- The mission statement answers: Why does the organization exist? What does it do? Who does it serve?
- The vision statement answers: What future does the organization aspire to create? What impact does it seek in the long term?
Together, they provide a foundation for the organization's strategy, culture, and communication with its community. They are often complemented by core values that guide the organization's behavior and decisions. If you have a specific organization in mind, I can help find that organization's exact mission and vision statements. Otherwise, these general frameworks apply to most organizations.