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A step-by-step guide for Development Trust members

Defining your vision, mission, and values is one of the most crucial steps you can take to shape the future of your organisation. DTAS has designed this toolkit to give you and your team everything you need to build a clear, practical, and inspiring organisational strategy.

Whether you’re starting fresh or reviewing what you already have in place, the toolkit will guide you through the process of:

  • Crafting your Vision – your long-term aspirations and the difference you want to make.

  • Shaping your Mission – what you do, how you do it, and why it matters.

  • Identifying your Values – the principles that guide your decisions, culture, and day-to-day work.

  • Mapping your projects and themes – linking what you already do to your bigger picture goals.

  • Defining your Strategic Aims – setting the outcomes that will guide your work over the next few years.

  • Creating a One-Page Strategy – bringing it all together into a concise, shareable summary.

Why it matters

A strong vision, mission and set of values will help your trust:

  • Communicate clearly with your community, funders, and partners about who you are and what you stand for.

  • Guide decision-making so your board, staff, and volunteers are united around a shared direction.

  • Strengthen funding bids by showing funders you know your priorities and where you’re heading.

  • Stay focused on what matters most by aligning projects and resources to your long-term goals.

What’s inside

The toolkit includes:

  • Customisable templates for vision, mission, values, and strategic objectives

  • Practical examples for inspiration

  • Reflective prompts and wellbeing-focused questions

  • Project mapping and strategic planning tools

  • A ready-to-use one-page strategy template

How to use it

We recommend working through the toolkit as a team, including board members, staff, and volunteers. Complete the exercises, discuss your responses, and refine your statements until they truly reflect your organisation.

👉 Download the Vision, Mission and Values Toolkit (PDF)

Need extra help? DTAS members can also access tailored support from our development officers, training, and peer learning opportunities.

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