Mission Statements of Famous Nonprofit Organizations
The mission statement of a nonprofit organization communicate its purpose, what groups it serves, and how it plans to do so. Developing the mission statement is a critical first step in defining what the organization plans to do and what makes it different from other organizations in the same field. Here is a list of mission statements we collected from the 100 famous nonprofits in the United States and around the world. Of all the 100 mission statements listed:
- The average length of mission statements for the 100 organizations is 17 words.
- The shortest mission statement contains 2 words while the longest vision statement has 47 words.
| Logo | Organization | Mission Statement | Word Count |
|---|---|---|---|
 | AARP | enhance quality of life for all as we age. | 10 |
 | ACLU | defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the constitution and laws of the united states. | 24 |
 | Acumen | change the way the world tackles poverty by investing in companies, leaders, and ideas. | 14 |
 | Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation | raise money for and awareness of childhood cancer causes -- especially research into new treatments and cures -- and to encourage and empower others, especially children, to get involved and make a difference for children with cancer. | 33 |
 | Alley Cat Allies | end the killing of cats and lead the movement for their humane care. | 13 |
 | Alzheimer's Association | eliminate alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. | 31 |
 | American Cancer Society | eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. | 23 |
 | American Diabetes Association | prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. | 15 |
 | American Heart Association | build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. | 10 |
 | American Red Cross | prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. | 21 |
 | Amnesty International | undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of these rights. | 14 |
 | Art Institute of Chicago | collect, preserve, and interpret works of art of the highest quality, representing the world's diverse artistic traditions, for the inspiration and education of the public and in accordance with our profession's highest ethical standards and practices. | 36 |
 | Ashoka | support social entrepreneurs who are leading and collaborating with changemakers, in a team of teams model that addresses the fluidity of a rapidly evolving society. | 25 |
 | Asia Society | promote mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders and institutions of asia and the united states in a global context. | 21 |
 | ASPCA | provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the united states. | 14 |
 | Audubon | conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. | 24 |
 | Best Friends Animal Society | a better world through kindness to animals. | 7 |
 | Big Cat Rescue | provide the best home we can for the cats in our care and educate the public about the plight of these majestic animals, both in captivity and in the wild, to end abuse and avoid extinction. | 36 |
 | Billy Graham Evangelistic Association | proclaim the gospel of jesus christ by every effective means and to equip others to do the same. | 18 |
 | Boy Scouts of America | prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the scout oath and law. | 24 |
 | Boys & Girls clubs of America | enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. | 20 |
 | CARE | serve individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world. | 11 |
 | charity : water | bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries. | 11 |
 | Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden | creating adventure, conveying knowledge, conserving nature, and serving the community. | 10 |
 | Cleveland Clinic | provide better care of the sick, investigation into their problems, and further education of those who serve. | 19 |
 | Compassion International | an advocate for children, to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled christian adults. | 25 |
 | Creative Commons | develops, supports, and stewards legal and technical infrastructure that maximizes digital creativity, sharing, and innovation. | 16 |
 | Cystic Fibrosis Foundation | cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead full, productive lives by funding research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment, and ensuring access to high-quality, specialized care. | 34 |
 | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | provide expert, compassionate care to children and adults with cancer while advancing the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, cure, and prevention of cancer and related diseases. | 25 |
 | Defenders of Wildlife | the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. | 12 |
 | Disabled American Veterans | empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity | 10 |
 | Doctors without Borders | providing medical aid to those most in need regardless of their race, religion, or political affiliation. | 17 |
 | Ducks Unlimited | conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for north america's waterfowl. these habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. | 21 |
 | Environmental Defense Fund | preserve the natural systems on which all life depends. | 9 |
 | Farm Sanctuary | protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living. | 21 |
 | Feeding America | feed america's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger. | 21 |
 | Focus on the Family | cooperate with the holy spirit in sharing the gospel of jesus christ with as many people as possible by nurturing and defending the god-ordained institution of the family and promoting biblical truths worldwide. | 33 |
 | Food & Water Watch | champions healthy food and clean water for all. we stand up to corporations that put profits before people, and advocate for a democracy that improves people's lives and protects our environment. | 31 |
 | Girl Scouts | build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. | 14 |
 | GlobalGiving | catalyze a global market for ideas, information, and money that democratizes aid and philanthropy. | 14 |
 | Goodwill | enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work. | 34 |
 | Green Peace | expose global environmental problems, and to force the solutions which are essential to a green and peaceful future. | 18 |
 | Habitat for Humanity International | seeking to put god's love into action, habitat for humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. | 21 |
 | Heifer International | work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth. | 13 |
 | Human Rights Campaign | achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. | 8 |
 | Human Rights Watch (HRW) | defend the rights of people worldwide. | 7 |
 | In Touch Ministries | lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with jesus christ and to strengthen the local church. | 16 |
 | Institute of International Education | advance international education and access to education worldwide. | 8 |
 | Invisible Children | bring a permanent end to lra atrocities. | 7 |
 | JDRF | find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. | 13 |
 | JFK Center for Performing Arts | increase opportunities for all people to participate in and understand the arts. | 12 |
 | Kiva | connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. | 7 |
 | Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | cure leukemia, lymphoma, hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. | 19 |
 | Lions Clubs International Foundation | empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through lions clubs. | 18 |
 | Livestrong | inspire and empower people affected by cancer. | 7 |
 | Los Angeles Philharmonic Association | cultivate an enthusiasm for music in children and adults by increasing access to and deepening understanding of music presented by the los angeles philharmonic. | 24 |
 | Make-A-Wish | grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. | 20 |
 | March of Dimes | help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies. | 15 |
 | Mayo Clinic | inspire hope and contribute to health and well-being by providing the best care to every patient through integrated clinical practice, education and research. | 24 |
 | Mercy Corps | alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. | 14 |
 | Metropolitan Museum of Art | collect, study, conserve, and present significant works of art across all times and cultures in order to connect people to creativity, knowledge, and ideas. | 24 |
 | Monterey Bay Aquarium | inspire conservation of the oceans. | 5 |
 | Museum of Modern Art | helping you understand and enjoy the art of our time. | 10 |
 | National 4-H Council | increase investment and participation in high quality 4-h positive youth development | 11 |
 | National Audubon Society | conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. | 23 |
 | National Council of YMCAs of the USA | put christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. | 16 |
 | National FFA Foundation | prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. | 12 |
 | National Multiple Sclerosis Society | mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by ms. | 20 |
 | National Parks Conservation Association | protect and enhance america's national park system for present and future generations. | 12 |
 | National Wildlife Federation | inspiring americans to protect wildlife for our children's future. | 9 |
 | Natural Resources Defense Council | safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends. | 18 |
 | New York Public Library | inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities. | 9 |
 | NPR | work in partnership with member stations to create a more informed public - one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas and cultures. | 29 |
 | Operation Blessing International | demonstrate God's love by alleviating human need and suffering in the United States and around the world | 17 |
 | Operation Homefront | provide emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors. | 18 |
 | Oxfam | create lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and social injustice. | 10 |
 | Partners In Health | provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. | 10 |
 | Planned Parenthood Federation of America | a reason for being. | 4 |
 | Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) | create content that educates, informs and inspires. | 8 |
 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children. | 14 |
 | Salvation Army | preach the gospel of jesus christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination. | 16 |
 | Samaritan's Purse | follow the example of christ by helping those in need and proclaiming the hope of the gospel. | 17 |
 | San Diego Zoo | the reproduction, protection, and exhibition of animals, plants, and their habitats. | 12 |
 | Save the Children | inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. | 19 |
 | Sierra Club | explore, enjoy and protect the planet. to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out those objectives. | 47 |
 | Smithsonian | the increase and diffusion of knowledge. | 6 |
 | St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital | advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. | 14 |
 | Stand Up To Cancer (EIF) | raise funds to accelerate the pace of groundbreaking translational research that can get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. | 22 |
 | Susan G Komen for the Cure | fighting every minute of every day to finish what we started and achieve our vision of a world without breast cancer. | 21 |
 | Teach for America | growing the movement of leaders who work to ensure that kids growing up in poverty get an excellent education. | 19 |
 | TED | spreading ideas. | 2 |
 | The Humane Society | celebrating animals, confronting cruelty. | 6 |
 | The Nature Conservancy | conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. | 10 |
 | The Rotary Foundation | enable rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. | 24 |
 | The Trevor Project | end suicide among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people. | 11 |
 | The U.S. Fund for UNICEF | fights for the survival and development of the world's most vulnerable children and protects their basic human rights. | 18 |
 | United States Olympic Committee | support u.s. olympic and paralympic athletes in achieving sustained competitive excellence while demonstrating the values of the olympic movement, thereby inspiring all americans. | 24 |
 | United Way | meet human service needs and find long-term solutions in the dayton region by engaging the greatest number of donors, leaders, and volunteers and partnering to advance the common good. | 29 |
 | USO | lift the spirits of america's troops and their families. | 9 |
 | Wounded Warrior Project | honor and empower wounded warriors. | 5 |
