This section will help you think about your organisation’s purpose and how well it guides what you do.
DOES YOUR ORGANISATION HAVE A CLEAR PURPOSE?
An organisation needs a clear purpose: an understanding of why it exists and what it wants to achieve or change in the world. A written statement of purpose can be reviewed from time to time to ensure that it remains relevant. (Note: People often refer to an organisation’s ‘purpose’ as its mission and/or vision.) Deliberately referring to your purpose when you plan long-term strategies and new activities, or when raising money, helps ensure that all your activities contribute to achieving what you want to achieve. Your organisation’s purpose is often captured in your vision and mission statements.
STRENGTHENING YOUR PURPOSE
Use your assessment to determine your next steps. In all cases, you should:
- Discuss the results of this organisational strength map with IFEX. We may be able to connect you with relevant reference materials, external consultants, training opportunities or a skills exchange with another IFEX member.
- Discuss the results with some of your most committed funders who may be able to support some areas of your organisational development.
HOW CLEAR IS YOUR ORGANISATION’S PURPOSE?
1. The purpose of our organisation describes exactly what we are trying to achieve, and is widely understood.
Yes
Somewhat
No
2. Our staff and Board members are committed to our organisation’s purpose.
Yes
Somewhat
No
3. When we develop a new strategic plan, we review our purpose to make sure it is still relevant.
Yes
Somewhat
No
4. When we plan new activities, we refer to our organisation’s purpose. We use it as a reference point to help us decide what we will do.
Yes
Somewhat
No
5. We review our purpose to make sure it is still relevant if there have been significant changes in our working environment, e.g., political changes, what other organisations are doing, the risks we face as an organisation.
Yes
Somewhat
No
6. Whenever we raise money, we keep our purpose at the front of our minds.
Yes
Somewhat
No
7. When we communicate with people outside our organisation, our messages reflect our purpose.
Yes
Somewhat
No
8. We have ways to assess whether we are achieving our purpose, and we think we are doing well.
Yes
Somewhat
No
If your assessment shows that you have answered mostly “No”
• Appoint someone in your organisation or create a committee to analyse your current purpose and develop a clear vision and mission statement.
• Look at your vision and mission statement to see how closely they relate to the work your organisation is currently doing.
• Find out if and how the organisation’s purpose is communicated to new staff, volunteers, board members, partners, media and the communities you work with.
• Increase the visibility of your purpose by displaying your vision and mission statement on your website, email signatures and stationery.
• IFEX’s Strategic Planning Toolkit contains resources that may be helpful to you, including Chapter Three: What Are Vision, Mission, Values and Theory of Change? and the Competitive Strength Map.
If your assessment shows that you have answered mostly “Somewhat”
• Review the tips under “mostly no” to ensure that you have all of the basics covered.
• Check the language of your vision and mission statement to see if they are still relevant or if they need updating.
• Check the organisation’s outputs (for example, reports and communication products) to see that the purpose is conveyed consistently.
• Share the results of this assessment with consultants in your community who can advise you on targeted ways forward.
• IFEX’s Strategic Planning Toolkit contains resources that may be helpful to you, including Chapter Three: What Are Vision, Mission, Values and Theory of Change? and the Competitive Strength Map.
If your assessment shows that you have answered mostly “Yes”
• Review the tips under “mostly no” and “mostly somewhat” to ensure that there are no gaps in your planning.
• Monitor and evaluate changes in your activities to ensure that your purpose remains relevant.
• Share the results of this assessment with consultants in your community who can advise you on targeted ways forward.
• IFEX’s Strategic Planning Toolkit contains resources that may be helpful to you , including Chapter Three: What Are Vision, Mission, Values and Theory of Change? and the Competitive Strength Map.
Organisational Strength Map
Use this tool to identify your organisation’s strengths and explore areas for growth and development.
Chapters
Strategic Planning Toolkit
Build your strategic plan and improve your organisation’s effectiveness with these strategic planning tools and fact sheets. Not sure where to start? Check out the Starting Points page for advice tailored to your situation.
Communications Strategy Toolkit
Effective communications planning will enable you to raise your organisation’s voice on issues that matter.
Financial Sustainability Plan
Ensure that your organisation survives and thrives by strengthening its fiscal framework.
Social Media Strategy
This step-by-step tool will enable you to build an effective social media strategy and engage your online audiences.
Website Optimisation Plan
This 10-step plan will help you improve your website’s impact and usability.