Peer Mentoring Program

Peer Mentoring Program

Participation in the Peer Mentoring Program is one of the most important and rewarding benefits of AFP Chicago membership. If you are not yet a member of AFP Chicago, please note that several types of membership include reduced fees for young professionals and the Nonprofit Organizational Membership (Small). Please visit the AFP Global website to review membership options. You must be a current member in good standing of AFP Chicago by Friday, November 13, 2026, to be considered eligible for the 2027 class, which will run from January to December 2027. Membership status will be confirmed by AFP staff.

AFP Chicago’s Peer Mentoring Program connects seasoned fundraisers who have a minimum of five years of development experience (“mentors”) with early-career development professionals (“protégés”) with five or fewer years of development experience. The Peer Mentoring Committee carefully matches mentors and protégés based on interests, skills, and location to help participants maximize their experience in the program.

While we continue to prioritize protégé applicants who are early in their development careers, the Peer Mentoring Program also considers a limited number of protégé applicants who are more advanced (i.e., exceeding the five-year threshold of development experience), depending on cohort capacity and mentor availability. This opportunity might be well suited for experienced fundraisers who are navigating new management or leadership experiences, and/or seeking guidance on senior-level career paths.

Applications for the 2027 class will open on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with a deadline of Friday, November 13, 2026.


WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE?

Participation in AFP Chicago’s Peer Mentoring Program offers you a chance to:

  • Establish a lifelong professional relationship with a protégé or mentor;
  • Network with other development professionals;
  • Strengthen Chicagoland's philanthropic community;
  • Learn new skills and develop existing skills;
  • Help foster the development and growth of fundraising professionals;
  • Access intangible program benefits valued at $8,000 by a local consulting firm.

WHAT ARE OTHERS SAYING ABOUT THE PROGRAM?  Click Here

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

All participants must be current members of AFP Chicago. Mentors must have at least five or more years of professional development experience. Proteges typically have less than five years of experience, although we are open to considering applications from proteges who are more advanced in their careers. Accordingly, advanced-career proteges will be paired with mentors who have even more professional development experience. Click here for a full list of qualifications.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

For more information about this program or applying, please email [email protected].

  • Peer Mentoring Committee Co-Chair, Christopher Chantson, 312-261-3871
  • Peer Mentoring Committee Co-Chair, Jennifer Dettloff, 773-702-4490

 

Thank you to our Peer Mentoring Sponsors:

Campbell & Company