AFP/Alford Group Women’s Impact Initiative (WII) Mentor Program

WII Mentor Application: https://form.jotform.com/242636287889173

WII Mentee Application: https://form.jotform.com/242635645547161

2025 Application Process

The Women’s Impact Initiative (WII) was launched in 2018 to assess, address and highlight the specific issues and challenges that women in the fundraising profession face and to continuously create and market resources that help overcome gender inequity issues in the profession.

WII is committed to equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Our goal is to attract and develop exceptionally talented women from diverse backgrounds, allowing program participants to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives.

Program Dates and Deadlines:

• September 2024: Application Process Opens
• November 20, 2024: Applications Due
• December 2024: 2025 Cohort Announced
• February/March 2025: Orientation Session
• March 2025: Program Starts
• October 2025: Program Concludes

Program Highlights:

Mentoring is a learning partnership, a journey of collective discovery that supports personal and professional development strategy.

• A virtual and measurable 8-month structured mentoring program
• Mentors who are fundraising superstars that are committed to a mentee’s growth and development.
• Skills-based trainings and cohort experience curated specifically for both the mentor and mentee.

Mentee Criteria:

Our mentorship program connects women fundraisers with inspirational mentors to help grow, evolve and further their education to develop leadership skills and create an inclusive and equitable future of our profession. The requirements are as follows:

• Able to commit to the full 8-month relationship.
• Be an AFP member in good standing.
• Complete the application process: application and recommendation.
• Allow application information to be shared with the Women’s Impact Committee (all information will be kept in the strictest confidence).
• Agree to attend the Virtual Kick-Off in February/March 2025 (date TBD)
• Participate in at least 8 meetings with my mentor during the 8-month program.
• I will complete a project and share the outcomes.
• l will complete at least one of the following: create a micro-learning for afpglobal.org, draft an article for AFP Daily newsletter, or write a blog post.
• Commit to attending AFP ICON 2025 (April 27-29 in Seattle, WA) and AFP LEAD 2025 (October 16-18 TBD) if accessible. Registration fees will be covered through the Alford Group Sponsorship.

Mentor Criteria:

We are looking for committed and passionate fundraising professionals who are willing to unconditionally support the development of new fundraisers who are aspiring to be leaders. Our mentors meet the following criteria to participate in the program.

• Able to commit to the full 8-month relationship.
• Be an AFP member in good standing.
• Allow application information to be shared with the Women’s Impact Committee (all information will be kept in the strictest confidence).
• Agree to attend the Program Virtual Kick-Off in February/March 2025 (date TBD)
• Participate in at least eight meetings with my mentee during the 8-month program.
• Commit to supporting my mentee with project development.
• Complete all session or program evaluations as requested.
• Commit to attending AFP ICON 2025 (April 27-29 in Seattle, WA) and AFP LEAD 2025 (October 16-18 TBD) if accessible. Registration fees will be covered through the Alford Group Sponsorship.
• Access to a diverse network and willing to make connections for mentee as needed.
• Sincere desire to build constructive and positive relationship between a mentor and a mentee.
• Sensitivity to people from varied backgrounds with compassion and understanding.
• Ability to draw examples from own experience as a leader.
• Ability to mentor effectively online as needed.

Each mentorship pairing will complete at least one of the following: create a micro-learning for afpglobal.org, draft an article for AFP Daily newsletter, or write a blog post Complete all session or program evaluations as requested.