By Alex Sirota & Audrey Braconi-Gerardin
Associations everywhere are looking for new ways to earn revenue and keep members engaged. One powerful solution is often ignored: mentorship. Alex Sirota (NewPath Consulting) and Audrey Braconi-Gerardin (Stellar Mentoring) will show how mentoring can become a scalable, measurable, and sustainable growth engine. We’ll share lessons from Stellar Mentoring case studies and outline smart funding strategies that boost both member value and financial stability.
The Challenge: Members Want More
Across North America, associations struggle to meet growing expectations. Traditional dues and event fees no longer cover what members now demand: personalized learning, real connection, and support that fits their lives.
Leaders need new revenue that feels authentic—and mentoring is one of the simplest ways to deliver it.
Why Mentoring Works
Mentoring meets three core member needs: growth, belonging, and giving back. When supported by digital tools, mentoring becomes more than a “nice to have.” It becomes a strategic asset:
- Scales across regions and time zones
- Measures impact with clear data
- Improves retention and professional development
How to Fund a Mentoring Program
To fund and sustain a robust mentoring initiative, consider these five proven strategies, drawn from the “Investing in Mentorship: A Funding Playbook for Associations” white paper:
- Partner Underwriting: Ask mission-aligned employers to sponsor seats or program tiers in exchange for visibility and insights.
- Premium Membership Tiers: Offer mentoring as part of an upgraded membership level.
- Participant Contributions: Small, optional fees help cover costs and increase commitment.
- Membership Dues Earmarks: Set aside a tiny portion of dues or invite micro-donations to fund pilot programs.
- Grants: Tap into workforce readiness, inclusion, or STEM-related grants to kick-start new programs.
Using two or three of these strategies allows associations to start quickly—without waiting for a new budget cycle.
Case Study: Professional Network e.V.
When Professional Network e.V. needed to reverse high member churn, they partnered with Stellar Mentoring. After one year, the results were remarkable:
- +30% mentoring-related revenue
- +40% participant satisfaction
- +3 years average increase in member tenure
- -50% lower operational cost
Stellar’s case study on PN’s use of mentorship demonstrates how mentoring transforms both engagement and financial sustainability.
The Digital Shift: Scalable Mentoring
Digital tools provide three advantages:
- Reach & Equity: No more limits from geography or schedules.
- Automation: Smart matching and tracking can cut admin time by up to 80%.
- Clear Data: Dashboards show match rates, satisfaction, and retention impact.
Solutions like Stellar.Connect (fully integrated with WildApricot/Personify) makes it easy to run programs and prove value.
Beyond the Platform: Strategic Design
A successful mentoring program needs more than a platform. It requires strong strategic design: clear goals, structure, and success metrics. Stellar Mentoring and NewPath Consulting help associations design, pilot, and scale programs, including multilingual deployments in English, French, and German.
The Bottom Line
Mentoring is more than a cultural benefit. It is a business model shift that turns community into revenue and belonging into measurable value.
Ready to explore mentoring for your association?
Fill out the form below to learn about funding options and digital solutions designed for WildApricot-powered associations and clubs.
