What are the best strategies for maintaining a relationship with a fundraising mentor?

1 Communicate regularly

One of the most important aspects of a mentoring relationship is communication. You and your mentor should agree on how often and through which channels you will communicate. For example, you might decide to have a monthly phone call, a weekly email exchange, or a biweekly video chat. Whatever you choose, make sure you respect your mentor's time and availability, and that you prepare for each conversation with some questions, updates, or challenges. Communication is a two-way street, so be open to listening, asking for feedback, and sharing your achievements and struggles.

2 Set clear and realistic goals

Another way to maintain a good relationship with your fundraising mentor is to set clear and realistic goals for your mentoring journey. You and your mentor should discuss what you want to achieve, learn, or improve in your fundraising career, and how your mentor can help you with that. You should also define some specific and measurable indicators of your progress, such as completing a project, applying for a grant, or attending a training. Having goals will help you stay focused, motivated, and accountable, and will also allow you to celebrate your successes and learn from your failures.

3 Show appreciation and gratitude

Your fundraising mentor is a valuable resource, but also a generous person who is investing their time, energy, and expertise in your development. Therefore, you should show appreciation and gratitude for their support and guidance. You can do this by sending them a thank-you note, a gift, or a testimonial after a session, by acknowledging their contribution to your achievements, or by offering to help them with something they need. Showing appreciation and gratitude will not only make your mentor feel valued and respected, but will also strengthen your bond and trust.

4 Seek feedback and act on it

One of the main benefits of having a fundraising mentor is that you can get honest and constructive feedback on your work, skills, and performance. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, improve your fundraising practices, and grow as a professional. However, feedback is only useful if you seek it actively and act on it accordingly. You should ask your mentor for feedback on specific aspects of your fundraising work, such as your proposals, pitches, or reports, and listen to their suggestions and recommendations. You should also implement their feedback in your next actions, and show them the results and outcomes.

5 Learn from their experience and expertise

Your fundraising mentor is someone who has more experience and expertise than you in the fundraising sector. They have been through many challenges, successes, failures, and learnings in their career, and they have a lot of knowledge and insights to share with you. You should take advantage of this opportunity to learn from their experience and expertise, and to expand your own. You can do this by asking them questions about their career path, their best practices, their mistakes, and their lessons learned. You can also ask them to share their resources, tools, contacts, or opportunities with you, and to introduce you to their network.

6 Be respectful and professional

The last but not least strategy for maintaining a good relationship with your fundraising mentor is to be respectful and professional at all times. You should treat your mentor as a colleague, not a friend, and respect their boundaries, preferences, and opinions. You should also be punctual, prepared, and responsive for your mentoring sessions, and follow up on your commitments and tasks. You should also avoid asking for favors, expecting too much, or taking advantage of your mentor's generosity. Being respectful and professional will help you build a positive reputation, a lasting impression, and a fruitful partnership with your mentor.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?