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QUESTIONS

  • How do I add a new question & answer?
    To add a new FAQ follow these steps: 1. Manage FAQs from your site dashboard or in the Editor 2. Add a new question & answer 3. Assign your FAQ to a category 4. Save and publish. You can always come back and edit your FAQs.
  • Can I insert an image, video, or GIF in my FAQ?
    Yes. To add media follow these steps: 1. Manage FAQs from your site dashboard or in the Editor 2. Create a new FAQ or edit an existing one 3. From the answer text box click on the video, image or GIF icon 4. Add media from your library and save.
  • How do I edit or remove the 'Frequently Asked Questions' title?
    You can edit the title from the FAQ 'Settings' tab in the Editor. To remove the title from your mobile app go to the 'Site & App' tab in your Owner's app and customize.
  • When is the application deadline for the mentoring programme?
    The deadline is midnight on Monday 20th January 2025. We cannot accept applications after this deadline.
  • What is the process for applying?
    First you should check your eligibility for the programme – you can find this in the FAQs and also in the guidelines document (download below). Please note if you don’t meet these criteria then you will not be able to progress your application on the online form. Then you apply using our online form (draft up your answers first using our downloadable guidelines document) by midnight on Monday 20th January 2025. If you hate forms then you can apply via our 'Alternative Application' method (see FAQs). You will be contacted to let you know the outcome of your application by early March 2025. If your application is being taken to the next stage you will be invited to a short online interview with our Director, Laura Swan, to discuss your application. Following this call, you will be notified if your application has been successful. Successful applicants will be matched with mentors in March/April 2025. There will be a kick off meeting on 26th March 2025 and an Insights Discovery workshop on 2nd April 2025.
  • What is the ‘alternative application’ method?
    We know that not everyone loves forms. And we don’t want that to stop brilliant people from applying! So for 2025 we are introducing an ‘alternative application’. For those who don’t get on with an application form, we encourage you to apply in the way that feels right for you – this could maybe be a video submission or an infographic – it’s up to you! If you’d like to do this, please just make sure that you cover off the key question areas from the form in your submission. You can then submit your application to hello@elischerfoundation.org. If you take the alternative application route, we will then be back in touch to ask for key details to log your application so make sure to include your contact details in your submission!
  • When will I hear the outcome of my application?
    We aim to get back to all applicants within 6 weeks of the closing date. For the 2025/26 programme this means we will hope to be able to let you know if we are progressing your application in early March 2025.
  • Who is eligible to apply for the mentoring programme?
    The programme is open to fundraising leaders who: Have been in a leadership position for 1-2 years already - the reason we ask for this is that it has been demonstrated that this is when we can provide the best support at a critical time in your career, when you also are getting to grips with nuanced leadership challenges (rather than managerial or operational challenges!). If you want to read a bit more about management vs leadership check out this article by former mentees Karen Searle and Sabrina Nixon. Are either a sole fundraiser, responsible for all fundraising within your organisation and with access to senior leadership and the trustee board, OR are already a ‘Head of’, ‘Deputy Director, or ‘Director’ with your organisation. We know that titles vary across the sector so if you are unsure of your fit for the programme reach out to us at hello@elischerfoundation.org. Have demonstrated excellence in your career to date – we support fundraising leaders who aren’t afraid to push the boundary, try new things and embrace innovation. Come from any fundraising discipline – but remember you need to demonstrate that you are in a position of leadership. Are based anywhere globally (although we run the programme in a UK time zone). Are currently working IN a charity – we are unable to provide support to consultants or freelancers. Are completely committed to their professional and personal development and can demonstrate how they do this. This programme will take an investment of time, energy and effort for the year. Run it past your organisation to make sure this feels like the right time for you to make this investment of time right now, and ensure you can really commit to it so you can get the absolute most out of the programme. Are ready to stretch themselves.
  • What information do I need to provide in my application?
    You can find the list of questions that we ask in our application guidelines (download below). Alongside these questions, we’ll also ask for your contact data, plus the name of someone who can support your application (e.g. a referee). The supporter must know you well enough to confirm you have the potential to be a positive influence as a sector leader.
  • How long does it take to complete the application?
    Give yourself a couple of hours to fill out this application. As you can’t save the online form and return to it later, we do recommend drafting up your answers first in the downloadable guidelines document below.
  • What is the duration of the mentoring programme?
    The mentoring programme runs for 12 months. The 2024/25 programme will start from April 2025 and run until end March 2026. Successful applicants will be matched with a mentor in March/April 2025. We will be holding an onboarding session to the programme on 26th March 2025 and we will have an Insights Discovery Workshop on the 2nd April 2025.
  • What is the time commitment required for mentees?
    As this is a commitment to your professional and personal development, we recommend that you set aside a minimum of 3-4 hours per month to get the most out of this programme. Activities will include 1:1 meetings with your mentor, participation in online sessions for the mentee cohort, participation in our online LinkedIn group, and personal follow up learning time.
  • How are mentors and mentees matched?
    We pay a lot of attention to our matching process to ensure the right fit for each mentee. Matching is based not on fundraising disciplines areas but on leadership experience, understanding of the main challenges you are currently facing and also personality. Mentees and mentors have a ‘chemistry meeting’ first off to make sure that they both feel like this is the right fit – and after this they both confirm that they are willing to move forward. If it doesn’t feel like the right fit then we can re-match. It’s important to us that this relationship feels good!
  • What can I expect to gain from the mentoring programme?
    As well as specific benefits based on mentees’ tailored objectives, previous mentees have found the following general benefits: Increased confidence and resilience Improved ability to influence key stakeholders and engage colleagues Enhanced self-awareness, and awareness of others Improved strategic thinking skills An expanded professional network you can lean on to provide alternative perspectives
  • What are the responsibilities of mentees in the programme?
    Mentees are required to sign a mentoring agreement and code of conduct in order to participate in the programme. It is expected that mentees will engage in the programme, show up to mentoring sessions prepared and ready to learn, and will engage with The Elischer Foundation team. Mentees submit mentoring objectives, a 6-month progress report and an end of programme report to The Elischer Foundation. We also require all mentees' to fill in a feedback form on completion of the programme. We’re a very small organisation with a part time team so we really appreciate mentees support in getting things back to us on time!
  • What support is provided to mentees throughout the programme?
    Mentees are provided with: 1:1 mentoring (minimum of 6 sessions throughout the 12 months) Insights ‘colour’ profiling Monthly learning sessions following The Elischer Foundation leadership framework – these include sessions from invited speakers Attendance at our Annual Leadership and Learning Day Access to a Cohort LinkedIn group to support peer networking Access to Fundraising Everywhere membership for the year as an active mentee Additional support as required from The Elischer Foundation
  • Is there any follow-up after the programme ends?
    The Elischer Foundation has a wonderful community of alumni mentees and mentors which you are invited to join on completion of the programme. We have a community LinkedIn group and alumni are invited to our Annual Leadership and Learning Day. Alumni have also come back to speak at our learning sessions.
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