Tool Kit
The following section brings together information from some of the most well-respected nonprofit resource centers in the country. By placing these disparate resources in one place, our intention is to save mentoring providers the time and energy of locating them on their own. We offer this service as a means of disseminating this valuable work and do not seek to take credit for its production. Similarly, we insist that any use of this information must cite the organization that produced it as its source.
Resources are divided into three categories. Click on one of the following sections or scroll down to read about each set of resources.
The resources contained in this section come from the following three sources, unless otherwise indicated:
The National Mentoring Center (NMC)
The NMC is located in Portland, Oregon and is one of the foremost authorities on the practice of mentoring in the country. They publish a series of documents for mentoring programs and professionals. All materials produced by the NMC are "public domain" meaning they can be reproduced by programs and individuals and incorporated into other training materials and program manuals. Again, however, NMC must be cited as the source. For more information, visit the NMC’s website by clicking here. MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership (M/NMP)
MENTOR is a leader in the national mentoring movement. Over the past 10 years, the National Mentoring Partnership has helped build mentoring partnerships in 23 states and 15 urban centers. The organization provides an array of useful resources and services to mentoring providers across the country. For more information, visit MENTOR/National mentoring Partnership’s website by clicking here. The Risk Management Resource Center (RMRC)
The RMRC is an organization whose goal is to provide nonprofits with strategies to effectively manage risk. It is associated with the Public Risk Management Association, the Nonprofit Risk Center, and the Public Entity Risk Institute. For more information, visit their website by clicking here.
Resources for Organizations
Program Management
While every mentoring program is unique, there are certain elements associated with all successful programs. The following information provides general guidelines on starting and managing a program.
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Risk Management
As the popularity of mentoring grows, so to do the risks associated with operating a mentoring organization. Melanie Herman, executive director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, says that in the past charitable organizations were largely insulated from litigation because of their charitable status. Today, however, many organizations find themselves having to provide evidence of appropriate insurance coverage to supporters and funders alike.
Whether it is finding appropriate insurance coverage or understanding state liability laws governing charitable organizations, every mentoring organization needs to be familiar with the dimensions of risk management.
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Recruiting Mentors
One of the greatest challenges facing any mentoring organization is recruiting mentors. The following resources provide some useful strategies to help your program succeed in this area.
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Training and Supporting Mentors/Proteges
One of the most important aspects of operating a mentoring program is ensuring that mentors are adequately trained and supported throughout the length of the match. The following resources should be used to supplement the guidelines for effective mentoring outlined in MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership’s “Elements of Effective Practice.” The Elements are available in the Program Management section of this page.
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Program Evaluation
Those who practice mentoring know that it works. Many funders, however, want more than anecdotal evidence to support that claim. In order to equip providers with the means to generate such evidence, the following manuals help programs monitor and evaluate their matches.
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Resources for Mentors
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Resources for Proteges
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