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LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
MENTORSHIP OVERVIEW

Thank you for considering becoming a mentor for YNPN Chicago’s Leadership Institute program! If, after reading the information below, you have additional questions, please email the Leadership Institute Co-Chairs Jaime Sharp and Rachel Walerstein at leadershipinstitute@ynpnchicago.org.

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If you are interested in being a mentor for the 2025 Leadership Institute cohort, please complete this form by Friday, December 20th.

 

As YNPN is committed to equity in the nonprofit sector, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to submit their interest in mentoring.

 

Completing this form does not guarantee you will be paired with a mentee. The 2025 cohort will have 12-15 participants paired according to their personal and professional goals. Mentors will be informed of whether or not they have been selected no later than mid-January.

1. WHAT IS YNPN CHICAGO?

The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Chicago (YNPN Chicago) is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen the nonprofit community by providing accessible professional development, resources, and networking opportunities for young professionals involved in the Chicago-area nonprofit sector.

2. WHAT IS THE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE?

Leadership Institute is YNPN Chicago’s largest professional development program for emerging nonprofit leaders. Each year a selected cohort of promising mid-career nonprofit professionals come together to reflect on their leadership skills, collaborate, and build relationships that serve them beyond the program. Aspects of the program include facilitated monthly sessions, guest speakers, networking opportunities, and engaging with a mentor.

3. WHAT IS THE MENTORSHIP ASPECT OF THE PROGRAM?

Each cohort member is paired with a mentor—YNPN is seeking mentor interest from Chicago nonprofit leaders, generally at the Director level or above, with 7+ years of experience for the coming year’s cohort–who donates their time to help coach a young professional. Topics and strategies are set individually by each mentor-mentee pair at the beginning of their relationship. Each year, the mentorship aspect of the program is cited as one of the most compelling, rewarding, and fruitful aspects of Leadership Institute.

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As YNPN is committed to equity in the nonprofit sector, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to submit their interest in mentoring.

4. WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT TO BEING A MENTOR FOR THE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE?

Mentors agree to a seven month commitment (January to July) and have the opportunity to renew their commitment each year. Mentors agree to the following minimum commitments, but may be more involved with their mentee if they choose:

  • Meet with their assigned mentee for at least one hour a month (times and mode of meetings are set by each mentor-mentee pair)

  • Regularly communicate with their mentee and with the Leadership Institute board chair(s)

  • Be willing to share insights and resources, and guide their mentee through reflective discussions about their role, organization, or leadership aspirations

  • Attend the cohort’s kickoff session in-person on Friday, January 31 from 11am-12pm

  • Attend the cohort’s final session for capstone presentations in-person on Friday, July 18 from 9am-12pm

5. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A MENTOR?

Aside from helping an emerging leader discover their strengths and talents and navigate the next step in their career, mentors receive invitations to the final presentation session, an in-person networking event with the cohort, recognition in YNPN’s newsletter, a chance to practice their mentorship skills, and YNPN membership. Check out this blog post from long-time Leadership Institute mentor, Joanne Vena, about what she gets out of participating in the program and why she returns year after year.

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