Become A United Way NEXT Mentor!

Looking to give back and share your expertise? United Way NEXT mentors play a key role in guiding and supporting fellow members, whether they are navigating a career transition, stepping into leadership, or simply seeking advice from someone who has been there. It’s a flexible and relationship-based opportunity to make a meaningful impact 💙

Want to learn more? Explore our mentorship programs below! And if you’re ready to get started, let us know you’re interested!

CEO & Staff Mentorship

If you are a former or current United Way professional eager to give back, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact. As a mentor, you will be matched with a United Way leader or staff member navigating new opportunities or transitions. Your lived experience, insight, and encouragement can help them lead with greater confidence and clarity.

What You’ll Offer:

  • Build relationships: Share your journey with someone who understands the United Way landscape and values your perspective.

  • Provide guidance: Offer direction on leadership development, governance, team management, or navigating internal and community-facing challenges.

  • Set the pace: Collaborate with your mentee to define your own rhythm, goals, and communication style.

  • Inspire growth: Empower the next generation of United Way leaders while continuing to make a difference in a network you care about.

If you are ready to walk alongside someone else’s leadership journey, we’d be honored to have you as a mentor.

  • It’s a way to give back and pay it forward. And I love to meet and mingle with interesting people, sharing diverse perspectives on issues that matter to people.

    Bonita Duncan, UW NEXT Mentor

  • UW Next has provided me with ways to contribute meaningfully to the broader UW Network. I find deep meaning in the volunteer work I do with UW NEXT.

    Kerri Stauss, UW NEXT Mentor

  • United Way NEXT has opened up mentorship relations for me with other United Ways.

    Benton Clark, UW NEXT Member

Endowment & Planned Giving Mentorship

If you are a former or current United Way fundraising professional with experience in planned giving, endowments, or revenue diversification, this is your opportunity to invest in the future of our network. As a mentor, you will be paired with a local United Way team that is working to build long-term fundraising strategies. Your technical expertise and strategic insight can help unlock sustainable growth.

What You’ll Offer:

  • Share expertise: Offer practical advice and lessons learned from your experience in building successful fundraising and endowment strategies.

  • Coach with purpose: Support your mentee in navigating complex areas like major gifts, donor engagement, and long-term giving.

  • Customize the journey: Work together to create a mentoring plan that fits your availability and their needs.

  • Leave a legacy: Help local United Ways create sustainable revenue solutions that will benefit their communities for years to come.

If you are ready to share your knowledge and help others build capacity, we would love to welcome you as a mentor.

  • Having the opportunity to be of service to local UWs has been so rewarding as I serve as a mentor to incredible leaders

    Ed John, UW NEXT Mentor

  • I am excited to offer my expertise in service of helping LUWs thrive. I enjoyed hearing their progress and helping them to expand their revenue base

    Eve Powell, UW NEXT Mentor

  • It is an honor to be part of a team paving the way for other United Ways to build planned giving programs that last.

    Shemagne O’Keefe Mullin, UW NEXT Mentor

  • I have found that volunteering seems to always give back more than you expected and UW NEXT is a great place to have that happen.

    Bob Ferriday, UW NEXT Mentor