Applications for the Elischer Foundation’s 2025-26 year-long mentoring programme for fundraising leaders globally close at midnight on 20 January.

The programme is open to people who have been in a leadership position for at least one to two years, and are either:

• a sole fundraiser with responsibility for all fundraising within their organisation and with access to senior leadership and the board of trustees
• or already a ‘Head of’, ‘Deputy Director’ or ‘Director’ (or similar title) within their organisation.

Other criteria require applicants to be currently working for a charity and to be able to demonstrate excellence in their career. The mentoring programme is specifically designed to encourage fundraising leaders who embrace innovation, and are not afraid to challenge assumptions and push the boundary.

The programme is open to eligible fundraising leaders around the world.

Activities run on UK time. These include one to one meetings with their mentor, participation in the Foundation’s LinkedIn group, and participation in online sessions for the whole cohort of mentees.

The Elischer Foundation was established in 2017 in memory of fundraising leader Tony Elischer.

The 2025/26 programme will start in April 2025 and run until end March 2026.

The deadline for applications is midnight on Monday 20 January 2025.

Alternative application style

This year for the first time the Foundation is trialling alternative ways to apply, if that helps some applicants.

“For those who don’t get on with an application form, we encourage you to apply in the way that feels right for you – for example, this could be a video submission or an infographic – it’s up to you!” offers the Foundation.

” If you’d like to do this, please just make sure that you cover off the key question areas from the application form in your submission (you will find these in the guidelines for applicants document)”.

Laura Swan, Director, The Elischer Foundation said:

“Committing to our professional, and personal, development is not always easy and it is an honour to hold space for some of the most exceptional leaders across our sector who are doing just that. The Elischer Foundation exists to support and nurture people with drive, with spark, and with the enthusiasm to make a real difference in the world.

“We’ve worked with over 100 sector leaders over the last seven years and have seen some brilliant results. I’m consistently inspired by the ideas, the compassion and the community that is The Elischer Foundation – and we can’t wait to welcome new mentees for our 2025/26 programme!”