How to Write Bylaws for a Nonprofit Organization Part 1: The Mission Statement

Contents of this multi-part series on writing bylaws for a non profit organization.

1. The Mission Statement  YOU ARE ON THIS PAGE NOW

2. Article 1 (NAME)

3. Article 2 (OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES)

4. Article 3 (FAIRNESS)

5. Article 4 (MEMBERSHIP, VOTING ELIGIBILITY, RUNNING FOR OFFICE)

6. Article 5 (BOARD OF DIRECTORS)

7. Article 6 (FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD)

8. Article 7 (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF)

9. Article 8 (FINACES)

10. Article 9 (COMMITTEES)

11. Article 10 (AMENDMENTS)

Deciding to start a non profit 501(c)3 organization to create a job for yourself or others is no more difficult than starting a for profit business.   Assuming you have done all your research into the need  for  such an organization in your area and have developed a business plan, the next step is to recruit a few friend or interested people to join you, draft some articles of incorporation, write your non profit organization’s mission statement and  bylaws.

My experience in this matter comes from helping develop a non profit community theater with my sister near her home in South Carolina called The League of Fools.  This organization was developed as, sort of a, benevolent dictatorship.  This only means that the founder of the organization will remain the leader of the non profit for as long as the founder wants.  Organizing your non profit as a benevolent dictatorship will assure that you not only get to help make the rules but that you can also make a living from this venture.

Articles of incorporation differ in every state so you need to check with your Secretary of State’s office.  Generally, they will provide you with a standardized packet with all the information needed to file for incorporation and the fees associated with that endeavor. 

This multi-part article will only focus on developing your organizations mission statement and bylaws and I will use The League of Fools mission statement and bylaws as examples.  A mission statement and bylaws are a requirement in order to file for 501(c)3 status to allow your organization to be exempt from federal income tax. 

You want to start first with a mission statement.  A mission statement describes the overall purpose of the organization and will answer the question of why your organization is needed.  The mission statement should:

1.       describe the services available to clients

2.        who would benefit from those services

3.        the values or guidelines that the organization will take in presenting those benefits

4.        and how you would like others to view your organization.

The mission statement can be as long or as short as you need it to be as long as it conveys the purpose of the non profit organization.  The following is what we used for The League of Fools:

“The League of Fools is a club of entertainers founded to support productions and projects that augment and enhance the artistic experience for all who participate whether on stage, behind the scenes or in the audience. These productions are understood to be occasions to refine skills, learn new ones, and have fun. Our goal is to offer affordable, quality theatrical entertainment and access to theater to the entire community. We will strive to present shows that shall be suitable for the entire family.”

And that’s all there is to creating a mission statement for a non profit organization.  As you can see, the mission statement above covers all 4 of the inclusions I described. 

The next several sections will concentrate on the drafting of the organizations bylaws.  It can be lengthy.  The League of Fools bylaws have 10 Articles, so I have decided to break it down and explain the bylaws 2 Articles at a time.

When you are ready to move on to the next section, just click on the link at the top of the page.

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