Introduction
An organization’s mission statement is a generalized and overarching goal expressed in one or more sentences. When the goal of a non-profit organization is to help people and the community, it is essential that the mission clearly defines the services and the motives that drive the performers of these services. Concrete initiatives are being taken to fulfill the organization’s mission. The actions of the establishment may change, but they must always be consistent with the overall mission. Step Up for Students is an excellent example of a non-profit organization with a clear mission.
The Description
Step Up for Students provides assistance to students who find themselves in difficult situations. This establishment can be contacted by low-income, bullying students with special needs. The non-profit organization offers scholarships to pay for private schools, accompaniment to public school attendance, study materials, and psychological support. Step Up for Students manages scholarship programs in Florida, is audited annually and coordinates with the State Board of Education. The Hope Scholarship aims to help victims of bullying and sexualized abuse. The funds for this program are raised through tax credits for people who buy cars. The Reading Program offers assistance to parents of the students and aims to improve reading and literacy skills. The Gardiner Scholarship helps children with special learning needs; the program allows children to access special accounts that can be used to pay for educational services.
The Mission and Statements
Step Up for students has a clear mission and adheres to it in their activities. “Every child has a chance to succeed,” the organization says (Step Up for Students, 2020a). The non-profit establishment’s mission is to provide a chance for education and a decent life for all children in Florida. The Step Up Students’ slogan consists of three words: “Imagine. Empower. Choose” (Step Up for Students, 2020a). These words imply the provision of the opportunity to freely choose an educational institution, regardless of income, social status, and race.
The Step Up for Students mission empowers parents and students to use the most appropriate learning options. Particular attention is paid to families who do not have information or financial resources for free choice. According to the established mission, the organization helps the state fulfill the obligations of equal opportunities in educational services. “We see Step Up for Students as a public school partner that provides all students with the tools to succeed,” the organization says (Step Up for Students, 2020b). The organization’s goals are achieved by empowering parents through scholarship programs so that they have an equal opportunity to discover the best educational options for their children.
Location
Step Up for Students is based in Florida and focuses on helping students in that state. In 2019, Step Up raised $618 million, making it the 21st largest nonprofit corporation in the US, according to Forbes (2021). The strong demand prompted the creators to push the creation of the Tax Credit Florida Scholarship. Donors receive tax credits for helping low-income students of the state. The Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program was initiated in 2001 and fully operational a year later, funded by private donations (EdChoice, 2022). Many families are limited in choosing an educational organization as a place of residence. Step Up for Students opens up the boundaries of what is possible for such people. Thus, the non-profit organization offers assistance out of state as well.
Interpretation
Based on Step Up for Students statements, it can be concluded that the organization has a mission to help students and their families. The organization’s mission is to achieve equal learning opportunities for everyone, regardless of the income level of families. Although the organization primarily focuses on assisting children in Florida, it helps students outside of the state to meet their needs as well. The inaccessibility of the educational environment is one of the main problems that creates socio-economic inequality. In addition, the initiative of financing through tax incentives, which attracts more benefactors, is as much beneficial. The organization’s mission is entirely consistent with its actions: creating various types of scholarships, providing educational materials and psychological assistance.
The mission should be stated in the way to be inspiring enough for people working on a volunteer basis. In the case of Step Up for Students, the mission works: volunteers are ready to work for the sake of the future of children. This framing of the issue of investing in education as an investment in the future of the state and country attracts investors as well. Step Up for Students performs an excellent moral and ethical function, while its marketing strategies are also thriving.
Conclusion
The organization’s mission should be a clear statement that reflects its values and goals. For a non-profit establishment, a clear mission is critical, because it must raise public awareness and attract investors. Step Up for Students does its job well: a well-defined mission reflects the organization’s actions. By providing support to students and their families, Step Up for Students contributes to equality and the future of the state and the nation.
References
EdChoice. (2022). Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program (edchoice.org)
Forbes. (2021). Step Up for Students. Step Up for Students (forbes.com)
Step Up for Students. (2020a). About Us. Blog. About Us | Step Up For Students – Blog Step Up for Students. (2020b). Step Up for Students offers four scholarship programs for students in Florida. YouTube. Web.