Peer Mentoring Program
Participation in the Peer Mentoring Program is an AFP Chicago membership benefit. It is one of the most important programs AFP Chicago offers. Applicants must be members of the AFP Chicago chapter to participate in the Peer Mentoring Program. 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, September 12, 2025, to be considered eligible for the Fall 2025 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 12-month program.
While we will continue to prioritize protégé applicants who are early in their development careers, the Peer Mentoring Program will also consider 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 Fall 2025 Cohort will open in August.
Timeline:
- Friday, September 12, 2025: deadline for applications
- Late September 2025: the Peer Mentoring Committee will match eligible protégés and mentors. Shortly thereafter, a committee member will contact each protégé and mentor with their assignment and schedule a brief introductory conversation.
- Friday, October 31, 2025, 9-10 a.m.: virtual kick-off for the Fall 2025 Cohort
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?
Each spring and fall, we launch a new class of mentors and protégés. All participants must be current members of AFP Chicago. Protégés must have at least one year of professional development experience; mentors must have five or more years of 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:
Women in Development Professions
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