Thank you for your interest in our Mentoring Program. Apra-MN has developed this program as a benefit to chapter members. Whether you are a mentor or mentee, you will have opportunities to connect with other prospect development professionals and organizations. 

The Apra-MN Mentoring Program matches newer members with experienced prospect development professionals who can offer support and assistance with strategies and resources.

In considering matches, the Mentoring Program committee prioritizes the mentee’s interest areas expressed on their Apra-MN Mentoring Program application. 

Interested in becoming a mentor or mentee? Please review the information below and fill out this form: Apra-MN Mentoring Program Application

Benefits

Mentors

• Give back to your fellow Apra members and the prospect development field

• Raise awareness of the profession in the fundraising industry

• Enjoy networking opportunities with different organizations and professionals

• Strengthen your interpersonal relationship skills

• Reflect on your own practices

 
Mentees

• Learn about the profession from more experienced colleagues

• Develop prospect development skills and learn new ideas, concepts and perspectives

• Develop networking opportunities within the prospect development community

• Clarify and enhance your career direction

• Increase confidence in dealing with new or challenging issues

Responsibilities and Expectations

General

• Current member of Apra-MN
• Currently employed in a field in which prospect development is at least 50% of role
• Willing to make a one-year commitment to the mentoring program
• Committed to upholding the professionalism of prospect development and adhering to Apra's Statement of Ethics
• Able to keep information between mentor/mentee confidential

Mentors

• Two years of direct experience in prospect development
• Willing to learn as well as share; provide consultation in technical skills, problem solving, planning, implementation and evaluation
• Responsive to mentee's questions and meeting requests

Mentees

• Willing to contact and work with the mentor's schedule regarding convenient meeting times, dates, locations, etc. 

Time Commitment

An average of 3-4 hours per month, including preparation, travel and meeting time for both mentor or mentee, but Mentor and Mentee should discuss, in their initial meeting, upon expectations and goals to decide the cadence of communication/meetings.

Possible Meeting Topics/Agendas

Mentors

• Listen carefully to mentee's requests and provide guidance and practical prospect development advice
• • Encourage participation in Apra events, conferences, webinars
  • Help mentee build a network of prospect development professionals
  • Forward useful articles and information
• Communicate any issues or changes in the mentoring relationship to the Mentoring program director and reporting on experience and progress

Mentees

• Take the initiative to suggest topics/questions to be covered prior to each meeting
• Ask questions, even if they seem as though they are outside your mentor's experience
• Communicate any issues or changes in the mentoring relationship to the Mentoring program director and reporting on experience and progress

Potential Topics (not an exhaustive list)

• Job description
• Budget & resources
• Research requests & strategies
• Profiles
• Prospect Management
• Reporting
• Campaign Preparation
• Proactive Research
• Databases and software
• Working with development officers

Contact

If you are an Apra-MN member and are interested in being assigned a Mentor, or if you wish to become a Mentor, please complete this application form.  

Thank you for your interest in, commitment to and support of Apra-MN! 

Questions? Contact membership@apra-mn.org