Mike’s Monday Message: Mentorship Matters: Building Connections That Transform Careers

As fundraisers, you’re uniquely aware of the importance of building relationships; it’s what you do day in and day out with donors, and the results are pretty spectacular. By forming a connection and communicating a shared purpose, you’re able to drive impact and affect change on behalf of your organizations. But how often are you applying this same concept to your personal career growth? 

Mentorship is one of the most transformative gifts we can give—or receive—in our careers. It’s a connection that goes beyond sharing advice; it’s about investing in each other, building confidence, and creating a lasting bond that contributes to your success.

That all sounds great in theory, of course, but in practice, finding a mentor, or even finding a mentee, can often get pushed down the to-do list, particularly at a small shop, where you don’t have an abundance of co-workers to choose from, and you’ve got a ton on your plate as it is. 

Well, January is National Mentoring Month, so now is as good a time as any to make building professional connections a priority. If you’re looking to find a mentor or mentee, here are some practical steps to get started: 

1. Define Your Goals: Before reaching out, think about what you hope to gain from a mentorship relationship. Are you seeking advice on career advancement, specific fundraising strategies, or leadership development? When we match mentors and mentees in the AFP/Blackbaud Emerging Leader Mentor Program and AFP/Alford Group Women’s Impact Initiative (WII) Mentor Program, we purposefully match pairs based on what they hope to gain and the expertise they have to give. The applications for the 2025 program have already closed, but if you’re interested in this type of formal mentorship program, set a calendar reminder to check back with us in the fall when the 2026 applications open or check with your local chapter. Many of our chapters have their own mentorship programs that are based on our global program and will accomplish many of the same goals, with the added bonus of more face-to-face time with your mentor at local events. 
    
2. Leverage Your Network: Look to your existing network—colleagues, chapter events, or connections made through AFP programs. You don’t necessarily need to start by asking, “Will you be my mentor?” Often that relationship will develop naturally once you’ve expressed interest in learning from one another. “Hey, I have some questions about XYZ, I’d love to pick your brain since I know you’ve dealt with this before,” is a great way to start the conversation. On the other side of that coin, if you see someone at a chapter event who is new, make a point of sharing your contact info and letting them know you’re a resource if they ever want to grab coffee and chat. The same applies for interactions on AFP Connect, AFP’s discussion forum. Don’t be afraid to reach out after getting great advice from someone, to see if you can further the relationship and continue the conversation. 
    
3. Attend Events and Conferences: Gatherings like AFP ICON or chapter meetings are ideal places to meet potential mentors who share your professional interests. When we gather in Seattle this April for ICON 2025, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to network with other fundraisers who are there for exactly the same reason. We have a speed networking event, so you can meet a lot of people and see who you connect with. You can also network in a more relaxed environment at one of our receptions. The community group receptions on Sunday night are a great place to find a potential mentor who shares similar lived experiences, identities, or fields of practice. 
    
4. Stay Open-Minded: Your mentor doesn’t have to be in the same role or even the same sector. Sometimes, the most impactful advice comes from those with different experiences and perspectives. Adrienne McDade (now Adrienne Taylor, CFRE, MBA) shares some great points in this video about mentorship. For example, you can have a mentor who is the same age as you; you can have a social mentor; you can even have a village of mentors. 

This week, I encourage you to reflect on your mentorship journey. Who has been a mentor to you, and how can you express your gratitude? If you’ve never had a mentor or have been thinking about becoming one, now is the time to take that step! We create a stronger, more inclusive fundraising community when we support one another.

As always, please feel free to email me at mike.geiger@afpglobal.org or connect with me directly on X at @AFPMikeGeiger. I’d love to hear from you.