Are you interested in sharing your skills and experience as a Peer Mentor? Then, we need YOU!

By Barbara S. Khalouf
Director of Development at Access Living
Member, AFP Chicago Peer Mentoring Committee

One of the noteworthy benefits of AFP Chicago membership is the opportunity to participate in the Peer Mentoring Program. This year-long program matches seasoned fundraisers (mentors) who have a minimum of five years of professional development experience, with newer members of our profession (protégés). While protégés typically have fewer than five years of development experience, the committee is also considering protégés with more experience for a limited number of spots depending on their professional history, the capacity of the cohort, and mentor availability.

WHAT IS A PEER MENTOR?
A peer mentor is an individual with extensive professional experience that fosters the development and growth of another. While a peer mentor might offer guidance, encouragement, and support, it is up to the protégé to bring learning topics and professional challenges to the conversation and apply these teachings.

Mentoring someone can be a positive experience and provides an opportunity for both the mentor and protégé to grow as professionals. Personally, I have found the process of working with my protégés to be extremely rewarding. Our schedules are all busy, but having dedicated time each month to specifically connect and talk about the development profession and another fundraiser’s learning, growth, and career trajectory is important in building the next generation of leaders in our sector. We all have valuable experiences and life lessons that we can pass on to others, so we hope you will join us! Want to know more? See our list of mentor qualifications and expectations.

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

MORE INFORMATION
Applications for the Fall 2022 Class are available now and are due on Friday, September 16. To learn more about the Peer Mentoring Program, or to submit your application to be a mentor or a protégé, please visit the Peer Mentoring page  for more information.

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