Mentoring Program

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Applications are OPEN for the 2025 Mentoring Program!

We’re pleased to announce that YNPNdc’s eighth annual Mentorship Program will run February through June 2025. Through this program, YNPNdc matches young nonprofit professionals with seasoned leaders for one-to-one mentorship based on aligned interests and goals.

In the Mentorship program, both mentees and mentors will have the opportunity to:

  • Connect with leaders across D.C.’s social sector through networking events.
  • Attend professional development workshops facilitated by YNPNdc.
  • Join YNPN’s nationwide network of leaders across 42 cities
Applications for both mentors and mentees are due by midnight on Jan 31, 2025

Participant Criteria

Mentees

The ideal mentee is looking to grow professionally either within their current position or organization or seeking a new role at a new organization. 

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Work or live in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
  • Identify at least three short- and/or long-term SMART goals.
  • Take initiative to drive the relationship and be responsible for goal-setting and planning.
  • Be open to feedback and new perspectives and ideas.
  • Spend at least one hour each month engaging with a mentor through in-person meetings, email, phone, and other methods as needed.
  • Attend YNPNdc Mentoring Program events (YNPNdc will host monthly virtual events for professional development and networking, approximately two hours per month).
As a mentee, you will have the opportunity to connect with a seasoned nonprofit professional who can help you achieve your professional goals. Your mentor can help guide you through challenges, offer advice, and provide support from an outside perspective. 

There is no mentorship program fee for YNPNdc members. The program fee for nonmembers is $30. Payment will be collected once accepted into the program. Limited financial aid assistance maybe available to those who need it.

Mentors

The ideal mentor will be a seasoned professional in the nonprofit or a nonprofit-adjacent sector. They will be an active listener and enthusiastic about sharing their expertise and experience with their mentees. Mentors will:

  • Have at least three years of professional experience.
  • Work in the metro Washington, D.C. area.
  • Provide ongoing support, feedback, and advice to promote mentee’s professional growth and achievement.
  • Spend at least one hour each month engaging with their mentee through in-person meetings, email, phone, and other methods as needed.
  • Attend YNPNdc Mentoring Program events (YNPNdc will host monthly events for professional development and networking, approximately two hours per month).

As a mentor, you get to share your experience and network with a newer nonprofit professional to help them grow and thrive in their career. You’ll have the chance to help nurture potential, offer guidance, and empower someone else to reach their full potential. To thank our mentors for volunteering their time and expertise, there is no fee. 

For additional information about the program, please contact Obie Dieke, Director of Mentorship.