Mentoring Program for AFP-GPC Members

Each year, AFP-GPC hosts a mentoring program that helps newer AFP members benefit from the experience of a more seasoned fundraising professional. This year 17 mentor and mentee pairs completed the seven-month program, which concluded in May. 

Mentees are people who have been in the field for at least one year and are looking to expand their professional skill set by enlisting the expertise of a tenured AFP member. They are matched with a mentor who must have at least five years of experience or CFRE status, and be willing to share their time and knowledge to assist newer members of AFP. The pairs are matched based on the goals set by the mentee and the skills of the mentor. The pairs focus on projects that can be realized in seven months, such as: how to set-up a grant template program; how to build a board of directors; how to create board member parameters; and how to initialize an annual giving program.

Mentee Anne Love entered this year’s program because she wanted to gain the skills needed to transition to a career in the non-profit sector. Love was paired with mentor Toni Makowski who served as a “great source of inspiration,” and “kept her on track and headed in the right direction” with her goals. Love believes that anyone who participates in this program can come away with useful skills. She will apply the knowledge that she gained from her mentor as she begins her new career with Meals on Wheels. 

Another participant in this year’s program was mentee Elizabeth Pendley, who joined the program to benefit from the external perspective provided by her mentor, Megan Lepore. Pendley is one of two development staff in a “small shop” who sought to gain additional feedback from a seasoned fundraiser. She commented that she benefited by always having someone to go to with questions, as well as from the help that Lepore gave her in building relationships around the fundraising community. Pendley completed the program feeling empowered by the guidance she received. She recommends the experience and would love to be involved again. 

This fall the Mentoring Program will be reviewed and possibly changed to be able to accommodate more mentees and mentors. If you would like to be involved in this review, please contact the chapter office at chapter@afpgpc.org