Using Grantmaking Basics Online as a starting point, the Mentor Program connects experienced grantmakers with those just beginning their career. Grantmakers are matched based on similar interests and values in areas such as foundation focus, grant program areas, type of foundation, position and interests. Mentors act as coaches to help Protégés understand the core skills needed to succeed as grantmakers.

The Mentor Program is open to community, independent, public, family, non-U.S., and corporate foundation staff and volunteers. The Mentor program is available only to Council members.

Get the specifics

How does the program work?
What is the time commitment?
How do I get started?
How will the selection process be determined?
How will the program be evaluated?
What are the benefits of becoming a Mentor?
What is expected of a Mentor?
What are the Grantmaking Basic course objectives?
What is the role of a Protégé?
Who pays for the calls?
How can I receive additional help?

How does the program work?

Registration

Contact the Executive Education staff by email or call 202/467-0423 to sign-up as a mentor. Once registered, you will receive free access to the online course and resources to guide you through the mentor relationship. Mentors will be asked to complete a mentor profile to help the Council identify the right Protégé match.

Profiles

Mentor Program participants complete a Mentor or Protégé personal profile to help the Council match Mentors with Protégés. Your profile is immediately sent to the Council on Foundations. Council staff will match Protégés with Mentors, and assist with arranging the first meeting. Mentors may wait some time before the Council matches them with a Protégé. The Council will confirm the Mentor's continued availability to the program before referring the Protégé.

Confidentiality

The Mentor-Protégé relationship is confidential. Mentors and Protégés work together to complete the first seven chapters in the Grantmaking Basics Online course.

Working Together

Mentors and Protégés discuss over the telephone how the concepts, skills and ideas presented in the online course apply to the Protégé's daily activities and job requirements. The discussion is often guided by questions the Protégé has about grantmaking. Mentors and Protégés discuss each chapter separately.

Mentors and Protégés decide when and how often to meet and when to terminate the relationship.

Protégés receive a certificate of completion from the Council on Foundations when the initial seven chapters have been completed. Mentors and Protégés can continue working together on the next chapters of the program if they so choose.

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What is the time commitment?
Each Mentor-Protégé pair, also decides time frames. In the first seven chapters, mentor pairs will find:

• thought questions, quizzes and drop-down boxes with ideas and quotes from grantmakers.



• important skills and concepts to review, so it is likely that they may want to spend more than one telephone discussion per chapter.



• a need to spend at least one or two 30-60 minute discussions per chapter.

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How do I get started?
Several factors should be considered before becoming a Mentor:

• Decide your time availability to participate in all activities.



• Decide if you are comfortable with a virtual relationship.



• Consider how you feel about sharing failures and mistakes as well as accomplishments and strategies.



• Understand that registering for the program is a commitment to completing the program.



• Know that this is a completely confidential relationship.



• Decide your completion date. How long do you have to complete the course?



• Decide if you have time to participate in a one-time 60-minute orientation for Mentors.

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How will the selection process be determined?
Mentors and Protégés are paired based on results from the Mentor or Protégé personal profiles.

Council staff will notify the Mentor and Protégé of the selection, clarify expectations, and provide a packet of information about the program. The packet of materials will include guidelines, and reading materials.

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How will the program be evaluated?
To measure progress and obtain feedback, the Council will keep in touch with Mentors and Protégés throughout the program. The Council will

• Send periodic questionnaires to program participants



• Share questionnaire results with program participants

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What are the benefits of becoming a Mentor?

• Learn new ideas, new perspectives and new communities of giving



• Gain satisfaction in sharing your expertise with others



• Re-energize your career



• Increase your network of colleagues



• Expand your knowledge about grantmaking trends



• Develop your ability to lead new talent



• Indirectly "give back" to your own mentor for investing in your growth

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What is expected of a Mentor?

Requirements

• Has time and ability to forge ahead with a mentoring relationship



• Has the ability to welcome newcomers into the profession and take a personal interest in their career development and well-being



• Demonstrates a willingness to share knowledge, materials, skills and experience with others



• Offers support, challenges, demonstrates patience and enthusiasm while guiding others to new levels of competence



• Builds confidence and provides trouble-shooting when needed



• Provides needed information and resources, and acts as a sounding board



• Points the way and represents tangible evidence of what one can become



• Exposes others to new ideas, perspectives and standards, and to the values and norms of the profession

Experience

• Five or more years of experience in the field of philanthropy



• Possess leadership qualities



• Goal-oriented



• The ability to enable a Protégé to reach new or higher levels of mastery



• A good listener, confidant and advisor



• Entrusted with the care and education of another

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What are the Grantmaking Basics course objectives?

• Understand the grant review process



• Decipher the complexities associated with financial reports



• Organize and implement successful site visits



• Effectively evaluate and measure foundation performance



• Increase your performance at work

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What is the role of a Protégé?

A Protégé will:

• Take responsibility for ensuring that the mentoring experience meets their professional development



• Have the desire to learn and grow both personally and professionally



• Be open to comments, feedback and suggestions



• Follow through on meeting times, assignments and readings



• Commit to completing the program



• Maintain confidentiality with supervisors or co-workers

A Protégé will NOT:

• Expect his/her mentor to be available to them at all times



• Seek recommendations on how the Protégé's foundation should operate



• Act as an employee

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Who pays for the calls?
Typically the mentor contacts the Protégé for the first call. Mentors and Protégés can alternate initiating and therefore, paying for the phone call unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon by both parties.

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How can I receive additional help?
Questions? Need more information? Please call Executive Education at 202/467-0423 or email education@cof.org. Browse through Chapter One of the Grantmaking Basics Online course. Learn its navigation and explore the study guide. Familiarize yourself with how the program works.

The Executive Education staff has received special training in mentoring and is familiar with the features and navigation of Grantmaking Basics Online. If you need any assistance in deciding if this is the right program for you, please contact the Executive Education staff.

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