What is a Protégé? A Protégé is a new professional who wants to learn more about the field of grantmaking, broaden their perspective of philanthropy and achieve the learning objectives outlined in the online study program.
Using Grantmaking Basics Online as a starting point, the Mentor Program connects experienced grantmakers with those just beginning their career. Grantmakers are matched based on similar interests and values in areas such as foundation focus, grant program areas, type of foundation, position and interests. Mentors act as coaches to help Protégés understand the core skills needed to succeed as grantmakers.
The Mentor Program is open to community, independent, public, family, non-U.S., and corporate foundation staff and volunteers. The Mentors Program is available only to Council members.
Get the specifics
How does the program work?
What is the time commitment?
How do I get started?
How will the selection process be determined?
How will the program be evaluated?
What are the benefits of becoming a Protégé?
What are the Grantmaking Basic course objectives?
What is expected of a Protégé?
What is the role of a Mentor?
Who pays for the calls?
How can I receive additional help?
How does the program work?
Registration
When you register for Grantmaking Basics Online you have the option of selecting the "Self-Study" or "Mentor" feature. Both options give participants access to all the chapters and program updates.
Profiles
Mentor Program participants complete a Mentor or Protégé personal profile to help the Council match Mentors with Protégés. Your profile is immediately sent to the Council on Foundations. Council staff will match Protégés with Mentors, e-mail back contact information and assist with arranging the first meeting. All Mentors must have at least 5 years of foundation work as program officer, executive staff, development officer, trustee or volunteer.
Confidentiality
The Mentor-Protégé relationship is confidential. Mentors and Protégés work together to complete the first seven chapters of the Grantmaking Basics Online course. The remaining four chapters explore foundation management topics. Mentors and Protégés can continue working together on the next chapters of the program if they so choose.
Working Together
Mentors and Protégés discuss over the telephone how the concepts, skills and ideas presented in the course apply to the Protégé's daily activities and job requirements. The discussion is often guided by questions the Protégé has about grantmaking. Mentors and Protégés discuss each chapter separately.
Mentors and Protégés decide when and how often to meet and when to terminate the relationship.
Protégés receive a certificate of completion from the Council on Foundations when the initial seven chapters have been completed. Mentors and Protégés can continue working together on the next chapters of the program if they so choose.
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What is the time commitment?
Each Mentor-Protégé pair, also decides time frames. In the first seven chapters, mentor pairs will find:
- thought questions, quizzes and drop-down boxes with ideas and quotes from grantmakers.
- important skills and concepts to review, so it is likely that they may want to spend more than one telephone discussion per chapter.
- a need to spend atleast one or two 30-60 minute discussions per chapter.
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How do I get started?
Several factors should be considered before becoming a Protégé:
- Decide your time availability to participate in all activities. Mentors expect Protégés to complete all discussed activities and reading before the next discussion meeting.
- Decide if you are comfortable with a virtual relationship.
- Consider how you feel about sharing failures and mistakes as well as accomplishments and strategies.
- Consider your preferences for a Mentor-someone from a small or large foundation, family or corporate, etc.
- Understand that registering for the program is a commitment to completing the course.
- Know that this is a completely confidential relationship.
- Decide your completion date. How long do you want to take completing the course?
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How will the selection process be determined?
Mentors and Protégés are paired based on results from the Mentor or Protégé personal profiles.
Council staff will notify the Mentor and Protégé of the selection, clarify expectations, and provide a packet of information about the program. The packet of materials will include guidelines, and reading materials.
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How will the program be evaluated?
To measure progress and obtain feedback, the Council will keep in touch with Mentors and Protégés throughout the program. The Council will
- Send periodic questionnaires to program participants
- Share questionnaire results with program participants
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What are the benefits of becoming a Protégé?
- Learn proven strategies, shortcuts and problem-solving techniques to help you save time and strengthen your skills
- Receive one-on-one support from a senior grantmaker
- Get a broaden perspective of philanthropy
- Gather resources and references relevant to your position and foundation type
- Encouragement to complete the Web-based course
- Establish a learning-professional relationship with a veteran professional
- Increase your network of colleagues in the field
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What are the Grantmaking Basics course objectives?
- Understand the grant review process
- Decipher the complexities associated with financial reports
- Organize and implement successful site visits
- Effectively evaluate and measure foundation performance
- Increase your performance at work
- Cultivate the art of board communications
- Identify professional development options for your career
- Learn to resolve tough decisions
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What is expected of a Protégés?
- Must be a new professional or volunteer in grantmaking
- Be a good listener
- Be open to comments, feedback, suggestions
- Have ability to express ideas, concerns, feelings, frustrations and needs effectively
- Be accepting and open when given constructive feedback
- Have ability to take direction from another person
- Be capable of self-examination
- Be flexible/willing to try new things
Vision
- Wants to complete the objectives outlined in the online study program
- Wants to gain the benefits of another person's information and experience
- Desire to learn and grow both personally and professionally
- Wants to network with other grantmakers
- Has realistic expectation of their mentor and the mentoring relationship
- Understands the mentoring relationship has no promise of future relationships, employment or otherwise
- Willing to try new techniques, methods and behaviors
- Aware that mentor gives advice, ideas, suggestions only and must make their own decisions weighing the information given by their mentor
- Enthusiastic about trying a unique "virtual" relationship
Commitment
- Develops a working agreement with your Mentor on meeting times
- Follows through on meeting times and follows through if meeting times change
- Follows through with assignments and readings
- Commits to completing the program
- Provides feedback to the Council on program improvements
Confidentiality
- All discussions between Protégés and Mentors are confidential. Must be able to maintain confidentiality with supervisors and co-workers.
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What is the role of a Mentor?
A Mentor will:
- contact his/her Protégé to schedule the first call.
- serve as guide, tell stories of their experiences.
- share grants management techniques.
- show his/her Protégé how to investigate and analyze next steps
- advise on ethical dilemmas.
A Mentor will NOT:
- act as a supervisor.
- communicate with the Protégé's supervisor.
- make recommendations on how the Protégé's foundation should operate.
- discuss the mentoring relationship with others.
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Who pays for the calls?
Typically the mentor contacts the Protégé for the first call. Mentors and Protégés can alternate initiating and therefore, paying for the phone call unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon by both parties.
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How can I receive additional help?
Apply to the program online and complete the Protégé profile. Or, if you wish, you may apply over the telephone with Council staff by calling 202/467-0423 or email your contact information to education@cof.org.
Browse through Chapter One of the Grantmaking Basics Online course. Learn its navigation and explore the Study Guide. Familiarize yourself with how the program works.
Help desk needed? Executive Education has receives special training in mentoring programs and is familiar with the features and navigation of Grantmaking Basics Online. If you need any assistance in deciding if this is the right program for you, please contact Executive Education at education@cof.org or 202/467-0423.
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