Thank you to everyone who made the 2026 National Mentoring Summit one to remember.

Save the date for next year’s Summit! January 28-29, 2027

Convened annually by MENTOR at the conclusion of National Mentoring Month, the National Mentoring Summit brings together mentoring practitioners, researchers, philanthropic investors, youth leaders, government and civic partners, and Affiliates from across the country to unite under the shared goal of driving positive change for young people. Together, we’ll explore how building connections rooted in best practices and social capital can help combat social isolation, to ensure every young person feels like they belong. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from one another, form new and lasting connections, and share innovative and research-backed practices for strengthening and expanding the youth mentoring movement.

For any questions regarding the Summit, please see our FAQ section or email Summit@mentoring.org

Become a Summit Sponsor

Become a Summit Exhibitor

Post Summit Info

You will have access to the Summit app (or web version of the Attendee hub) for 30 days after the Summit. From there you can view specific resources from workshops you attended, take surveys, and connect with other attendees.

View Summit Plenary Videos

Photo Highlights

Capitol Hill Day Photos

Summit Day 1 Photos

Summit Day 2 Photos

Excellence in Mentoring Photos

We asked past Summit Attendees:

What is one action you are going to take as a result of attending the Summit?

“I was inspired by the Should Women Mentor Black Boys session to ensure that we are offering our youth culturally relevant and responsive events. “If you don’t know me, how can you see me?” is in the back of my head all the time now as I look at how my org is serving black youth, both males and females.”
“I will work towards developing better training when we onboard mentors to work with youth. I also built some connections with local mentorship programs in my area and will touch base with them and how to scale our work.”
“Creating a Gen Z board or panel to understand what they need”
“Be more intentional with how we make space for our queer youth.”
“Implement practices that build a mentoring mindset culture for the program team that I manage.”
“Doing a focus group with our youth to get their voices on how we can improve our mentoring program. Looking at our ongoing training for our mentors and see what’s missing.”
“I would love to explore ways to incorporate listening sessions into my organizations data collection and storytelling model. I believe this will improve our ability to understand how to best serve our program participants and build rapport.”
“Go through the Elements of Effective Practices Checklist with my team and revamp a good portion of our program to meet those elements. Redefine our purpose and vision for the program. Provide better training to our mentors.”
“Connect with MENTOR Affiliate (MENTOR NYC) and get technical assistance from the NMRC”

Past Summit Attendees Highlights:

“I absolutely LOVED Capitol Hill Day! The opportunity to meet with our state representatives to educate and inform them about the various mentoring bills an the need for support was an incredible experience.”
“I reconnected with a funder I met last year from Fidelity Investments and was able to receive some important information from him regarding scholarships that will help empower the youth I am serving. I also had an awesome connection with the staff of Rep. Joyce Beatty during our meeting at the Capitol. I followed up with a thank you email to invite Congresswoman to attend one of my Financial Literacy programs in partnership with JPMorgan Chase in April of this year. I received an email back from her staff that we (Girls L.E.A.P.) were on the congresswoman’s schedule which means there is a high probability that she may attend our event. Very exciting!”
“I attended the “Ladies of Value” session that shared practical steps on effective listening and creating safe spaces, especially for young ladies to allow non-judgemental open discussions. As a dad with a daughter, I was able to immediately implement some of the strategies discussed the very next morning as my 17 year old called before going to school with concerns of a friend speaking negatively about her relationship with her ‘boyfriend’. I was able to ask more engaging questions, listen without judging, and supporting her emotional response with encouragement and that it is ok to have the feelings she had. I created a safe space for her to Speak Up and Speak Out while shifting the focus from the negative experience to a positive and purposeful outcome she desires”

Who should join us?

Join the leaders building connection, belonging, and opportunity for young people across the nation. The National Mentoring Summit is where the mentoring movement comes together to share ideas, grow networks, and strengthen the systems that help youth thrive.

MENTORING PRACTITIONERS:
Connect with peers shaping the future of youth mentoring. Gain new tools and insights from workshops, panels, and exhibitors designed to help you elevate program quality and impact.

RESEARCHERS:
Share your findings, learn about the latest field research, and collaborate with practitioners and policymakers translating evidence into action.

PHILANTHROPIC INVESTORS:
Discover how your funding and partnerships can expand access to connection and belonging for young people nationwideand explore sponsorship opportunities that amplify your impact.

YOUTH LEADERS:
Step into the next generation of leadership through our Emerging Leaders Track. Engage in workshops, connect with peers and mentors, and be inspired by other youth voices driving change.

GOVERNMENT & CIVIC PARTNERS:
Join us for Capitol Hill Day to meet with members of Congress and their staff during, share the impact of mentoring and advocate for policies that expand opportunities for young people.

MENTOR AFFILIATES:
Connect with state and local partners to exchange strategies, discover new resources, and strengthen your network of support within your community.

PRODUCT INNOVATORS:
Showcase your tools, resources, and innovations that help mentoring programs grow and connect directly with practitioners seeking you solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is next year's Summit?

Next year's Summit will be held on January 28-29, 2027. It is an in-person only event taking place at The Westin Washington, DC Downtown.

I need help! Who can I contact for support?

If you are having trouble registering or have general questions, please email Summit@mentoring.org and let us know how we can assist you. Workshop Presenters please email SummitWorkshops@mentoring.org.

Will photos be taken of me at the Summit?

Yes, there will be a photographer(s) on site. See our photo policy below:

Photo Policy

I hereby consent to the use by MENTOR, its Affiliates, and those acting with permission and authority of MENTOR, of all photographs, video recordings, or other images or recordings that MENTOR has taken of me or in which I may be included, for all purposes, in any and all media including the Internet, without limitation, including promotion, solicitation, advertising, or trade. I understand that all images in which I participate, including film, photographic prints, digital files, or video, are the exclusive property of MENTOR, and I grant to MENTOR the unrestricted right to copyright, publish, and re-publish the images.