The AFP Orange County Mentorship Program is currently recruiting for new Mentees and Mentors.

If you are looking to expand your fundraising skills and develop your career as a fundraising professional, you can apply to be matched with a fundraising Mentor.  

If you are a seasoned fundraising professional who wants to give back to the Orange County philanthropic community by helping to ensure that non-profit organizations have the best fundraisers, please apply to become a Mentor.    

This Members-only benefit provides one-on-one mentoring to advance the skills of those newer to the profession or help mid-level professionals seeking to develop new skills.  For both Mentors and Mentees, this is an exceptional opportunity to share expertise, network with and learn from colleagues, and, ultimately, ensure the strength of Orange County’s philanthropic community.

The first eight Mentees approved to participate in the program will receive a scholarship to attend the AFP Conference on Philanthropy.  

Who should consider being a Mentee?

• Entry-level fundraisers who need career advice and guidance from an experienced professional.

• Mid-level fundraising professionals who want to develop a career path in specific fundraising areas. For example:

  • Perhaps you have served as a special event coordinator, but would like to be mentored on how to focus your career on major gifts or planned giving.

  • Maybe your goal is to become a Director of Development and you would like to be mentored on the steps to reach that goal.

  • Maybe you would like to be mentored on how to become a fundraising consultant.

Who should consider being a Mentor?

• Senior level fundraising professionals who want to give back to the Orange County philanthropic community by helping to ensure that non-profit organizations have the best fundraising professionals.

How to Participate in the Program:

Mentees: 

• Criteria for Participation

  • Be an AFP member in good standing.

  • Be currently employed with a non-profit organization.

  • Submit the Mentee Application.

  • Submit a letter from your supervisor endorsing your participation.

• Mentee Responsibilities

  • Commit to a minimum of four individual interactions with an assigned Mentor. Take initiative, i.e. call your mentor, ask questions, and be available for meetings.

  • Develop personal goals with your Mentor and be committed to achieving them.

  • Submit a letter of resignation to the program chair if unable to continue participation. 

Mentors:

• Criteria for Participation

  • Be an AFP member in good standing.

  • Have a minimum of five years experience in the fundraising profession.

  • Attain professional experiences equivalent to the minimum eligibility requirements for the CFRE examination.

  • Submit Mentor Application and biography for consideration.

• Mentor Responsibilities

  • Commit to a minimum of four individual interactions with an assigned mentee.

  • Work with Mentee to develop goals.

  • Communicate regularly and share resources.

  • Complete and submit a year-end evaluation report.

  • Submit a letter of resignation to the program chair if unable to continue participation in the program.

Application Forms:

• Mentee Application

  • Mentee Application Form - PDF format

  • Mentee Application Form - Microsoft Word DOC format

• Mentor Application

  • Mentor Application form - PDF format

  • Mentor Application form - Microsoft Word DOC format

More Information:

The Mentorship Program is offered to assist AFPOC Members in their career development and is not meant to provide pro-bono consulting services to nonprofit organizations. 

The Mentorship Program is a Member Benefit.

For more information about the AFP Orange County Mentorship Program, please contact Nicole Suydam, Mentorship Chair, at 714.547.6308 ext. 311 or by email at nicoles@ocgoodwill.org.