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, February 13, 2026, to be considered eligible for the 2026 class. 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.
SPECIAL NOTES:
- Starting in 2026, the Peer Mentoring Program will only run one class per year.
- Additionally, the 2026 class will run from April to December 2026 (nine months).
- Starting in 2027, the Peer Mentoring Program will run from January to December each year, aligning with AFP Chicago's fiscal year.
TIMELINE:
- Friday, February 13, 2026: deadline for applications
- Late February 2026: the Peer Mentoring Committee will match eligible proteges and mentors. Shortly thereafter, a Committee member will contact each protege and mentor with their assignment and schedule a brief introductory conversation.
- Friday, March 27, 2026, 9-10a: virtual kick-off for the 2026 Class.
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 contact:
Thank you to our Peer Mentoring Sponsors:
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