Mentor Program

Program Goals

In advancing Philanthropy through education, training and advocacy, the Fort Lauderdale/Broward Chapter aspires to the following:


  • Promote collegial relationships between seasoned professionals and mentees;
  • Assist fundraising professionals in developing a network for professional guidance and creative fundraising;
  • Strengthen the skills of mentees through identification and focus on specific areas of practice;
  • Enhance the professional abilities of both the mentor and the mentee through shared effort;
  • Offer an adaptable, responsible and accountable program;
  • Respect confidentiality;
  • Promote fun through shared experience and practice.

Benefits

AFP Mentors help up and coming fundraising professionals by:


  • Bringing clarity to a personal or professional issue through focused conversations
  • Challenging individuals to go beyond where they would go themselves
  • Being available as a sounding board
  • Creating a personal or professional career plan and providing support and assistance along the way
  • Sharing their fundraising secrets and tips only learned through experience
  • Offering suggestions to help the individual advance in life by sharing experiences, or a personal or professional contact
  • Advice on career path options and CFRE credentials

Associate/Mentor Match

Mentor/Associate match will be based on:


  • Particular needs of the Associate
  • The area of expertise of the Mentor
  • The type of organizations for which they both work
  • Budget of the organizations for which they both work

Program Roles & Responsibilities

  • Requirements: Mentor

    • Five or more years of fundraising experience
    • AFP member in good standing
    • Complete program application and submit to Chair
    • Agreement to a six month partnership
    • Attend Orientation Program
    • Ability to make time for Associate meetings
    • Complete an evaluation at the end of the six month period

  • Requirements: Associate

    • AFP membership required
    • Complete program application and submit to Chair
    • Agreement to a six month partnership
    • Attend Orientation Program
    • Ability to make time for Mentor meetings
    • Complete an evaluation at the end of the six month period

  • Procedures

    • The Mentorship Committee recruits and matches Associates and Mentors
    • It is the responsibility of the Mentor to contact the Associate
    • The Mentor is asked to apprise the Committee when the initial contact is made
    • At the end of a six month period the match will be discontinued however, both parties can agree to renew for an additional six months or meet informally following the program term
    • If the match is not successful, either person may request it be discontinued by sending the Chair of the Mentorship Committee a letter and evaluation form

  • Guidelines

    • Meet within the first month to develop a relationship and plan
    • Arrange a minimum of one contact per month during the six month period
    • Arrange to meet and sit together at one AFP program
    • Complete a written evaluation and return to Chair
    • Mentors should encourage Associates to attend AFP programs, particularly the Fundamentals of Fundraising program
    • Mentors are not responsible for assisting Associates in a job search
    • Mentors are not responsible for reviewing written fundraising materials

Are you an associate looking for a mentor? Have any other questions?


Please contact:  Debbie Levine CFRE, Mentorship Program Chair


The Fort Lauderdale/Broward Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals provides suggested guidelines for the establishment of mentoring relationships. Individuals who enter into a Mentor/Associate relationship do so at their own discretion and are responsible for tailoring the relationship to meet the needs and expectations of both parties.


Mentors/Associates may sever an ineffective relationship in a manner that is acceptable to both parties and both parties shall hold the Fort Lauderdale/Broward Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals blameless for unsatisfactory results and/or damages that may result to either party.