AFPNS - Mentoring Program

Purpose: The purpose of the National Career Mentoring Program is to use earnings from the Don Hardy Fund for Mentoring endowment (as well as any other possible major gift donations) to provide career-mentoring programs for new fundraising professionals, Mentees (“mentees” with senior fundraising professionals (“mentors”). The program affirms AFP’s commitment to advance philanthropy through education, training and advocacy.

Mentor: A senior fundraising professional with a minimum of five years of fundraising experience. The Mentor must be a member in good standing of AFP.

Mentee/Protégé: A fundraising professional with less than three years professional experience, who is presently (or who wishes to be) a member of AFPNS.

Program Goals:

Ø To assist new fundraising professionals in developing a network for professional guidance and fundamental fundraising skills.

Ø To create collegial relationships between seasoned professionals and new practitioners.

Ø To strengthen the skills of a protégé by identifying and working on specific areas of practice.

Ø To enhance the professional abilities of both the mentor and the protégé.

Program Guidelines:

Ø Canadian AFP Chapters are eligible to apply for these funds from AFP Foundation for Philanthropy - Canada and serve as the agency on behalf of the Foundation for award distributions. $250.00 is available for each mentor relationship. $100.00 may be used for the IHQ cost of an introductory membership, provided the chapter waives the chapter fee for the protégé. The balance of the funds (including all the money if the protégé is already a member) shall be used as a bursary for educational materials and fees.

Ø The eligibility for funding of each National Career Mentoring Program will last one year from the date of the award.

Ø The mentor is expected to introduce the protégé to the resources available in the community and encourage attendance at AFP and other professional gatherings.

Ø While partnerships are established based on areas of interest and involvements, it is expected the mentor and protégé will determine at the outset, in which specific areas of professional development the protégé needs guidance.

Ø At the conclusion of the partnership, both parties will submit an evaluation report to the chapter.

Ø The partnership is meant to be career specific and is not to be used or construed in anyway as a consulting relationship.

Ø It is recommended that both parties advise their employers of their participation in the program.

Qualities of Mentors / Mentees:

Ø Build trusting professional relationships

Ø Integrity

Ø Motivated to assist and to learn

Ø Enthusiastic and committed

Ø Adaptable

Ø Responsible and accountable

Ø Respect confidentiality

Mentors and Mentees are encouraged to:

Ø Discuss the mentee’s skills and experience, and explore opportunities for academic and experiential learning;

Ø Attend AFP sessions together

Ø Attend local networking events together

Ø Get together for a monthly coffee or lunch

Ø Check in regularly via email and telephone

Ø Enjoy the relationship!

Anyone interested in becoming a mentor or a mentee can download the form here, or direct further enquiries to the AFPNS Board of Directors Mentoring Program Coordinator, Anne (Coyle) Melanson, at: anne@bloomfornonprofits.com.

AFP Nova Scotia Chapter

AFPNS - Mentoring Program