Registration for the 2027 National Mentoring Summit is now open!

January 28 – 29, 2027
The Westin Washington, DC Downtown

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

Register Now!

Book Our Hotel Block

Attendee Pricing:

$525

Early Bird
September 8 – October 31

$575

Regular Rate
November 1 – January 20

$700

In-Person Rate
After January 20

Become a Summit Sponsor

Become a Summit Exhibitor

Already registered? Let others know you’re coming! Check out our shareable toolkit

Countdown to the Summit!

2027 Summit Plenaries

A Relationship Generation Starts Here: Well-Being and Resilience

People thrive when they know they belong, have others in their corner, and can count on consistent, caring relationships. We’re kicking off the National Mentoring Summit by exploring the power of connection to strengthen well-being, build resilience, and create the conditions for people to thrive. Together, we’ll imagine what’s possible when we put relationships at the center and what each of us can do to help shape a Relationship Generation.

A Celebration of Excellence in Mentoring Awards

Come together to celebrate extraordinary leaders and the impact they’re making for young people. The Excellence in Mentoring Awards recognize champions whose leadership, commitment, and contributions strengthen relationships and expand opportunity for young people. Hear from this year’s honorees, celebrate alongside peers from across the country, and leave inspired by the people and possibilities shaping the future of mentoring.

Thriving Communities: Connection and the Stories That Build Community

Every person who enters the Summit brings a story, a perspective, and relationships that have shaped who they are. This session begins by turning the lens towards our own community, elevating the voices and experiences gathered from you at the Summit and inviting us to recognize the shared values that connect us. Then we’ll explore what those connections ask of us. Through stories and conversations, leaders from Weave: The Social Fabric Project will examine how trust is built, how caring adults create spaces of belonging for young people, and what it means to show up consistently. Together, these experiences invite us to see storytelling, trust, and mentoring as interconnected practices that can strengthen the communities we serve.

Pre-Conference Sessions

Learn more about our optional pre-conference sessions below. Space is limited. Registration opens on September 8.

Fundraising 101 for Mentoring Organizations

Wednesday, January 27 9 AM – 4 PM ET

Cost: $300

Most mentoring organizations were built by people who love mentoring, not people who love fundraising. This one-day pre-conference exists to close that gap. By 4:00 PM, every participant will have a real, populated annual fundraising plan, a board activation strategy they can implement at next month’s meeting, and a 90-day campaign launch checklist tailored to their organization.

Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring™ Training

Tuesday, January 26 1- 5 PM ET
Wednesday, January 27 9 AM – 5 PM ET

Cost: $350

This pre-conference session will explore the first 12 Elements from the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring (EEPM), MENTOR’s cornerstone publication, an evidence-based foundational and guiding resource for the mentoring programs and staff that design and deliver these services to youth across America. In addition to the 1.5 days in-person, there will be a virtual half-day follow up session to cover the final 4 Elements.

Mentoring Program Leaders Certificate

Wednesday, January 27 9 AM – 5 PM ET

Cost: $300

MENTOR’s Mentoring Program Leaders Certificate is a one-day professional development opportunity designed for individuals leading youth mentoring programs. This comprehensive training equips program leaders with practical tools and resources to strengthen organizational practices and enhance support for young people. Participants will engage in a two-part experience – the first delivered as an in-person pre- conference to the National Mentoring Summit, and the second as a half-day virtual follow-up focused on additional tools and resources and peer-learning.

Building a Mentoring Culture: A Leadership Strategy for Youth Sports & Beyond

Wednesday, January 27 9 AM – 5 PM ET

Mentoring is one of the most effective ways to support positive youth development, and youth-serving organizations are uniquely positioned to create the meaningful connections young people need to thrive. This interactive workshop combines Mentoring Mindset with the Coach-Mentor Training: The Blueprint to help administrators, leaders, and decision-makers intentionally cultivate a mentoring culture across their programs. Through reflection, discussion, and hands-on learning, participants will examine their own leadership approach while exploring practical strategies for equipping coaches and staff to foster connection, belonging, and positive youth development. Together, we’ll explore how to embed a sports-based mentoring approach into everyday practices, strengthen organizational culture, and create environments where every young person feels empowered. Leave with actionable tools and implementation strategies to build lasting impact that extends far beyond the game.

Which Pre-Conference Session is Right For Me?

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

The Summit will be held on January 27-29, 2027. It will be held in-person at The Westin Washington, DC Downtown hotel.

Registration is now open. The discounted Early Bird rate will run from September 8 – October 31, 2026 – don’t miss out!

We are offering $50 off your registration if you register by our Early Bird date October 31, 2026.

Please email general questions to Summit@mentoring.org and let us know how we can assist you. Reminder: registration for the 2027 National Mentoring Summit opens September 8, 2026.

Workshop Presenters please email SummitWorkshops@mentoring.org.

Learn more about becoming an exhibitor here or reach out to Gabriella Castillo for more information on becoming an exhibitor at the 2027 National Mentoring Summit.

Yes, our conference app allows attendees to keep track of their schedules, interact with each other, engage with exhibitors and sponsors, and continue learning. The app will be available closer to the date of the conference.

Yes, all materials will be found in our conference app and attendees will be able to access it after the event concludes for 30 days.

Unfortunately, we are only accepting payment via credit card.

Yes, we offer a group registration option for groups of 10 or more. Please reach out to Summit@mentoring.org to coordinate group registration and payment.

We can transfer your registration to a colleague at no charge. If you would like to make a registration transfer please contact Summit@mentoring.org with the name and email of your replacement.

Refund Policy

Refund requests for the 2027 National Mentoring Summit conference must be made in writing to Summit@mentoring.org on or prior to January 8, 2027.

A 75% refund of the registration fee shall be given for cancellations received on or prior to December 4, 2026.

A 50% refund of the registration fee shall be given for cancellations received on or prior to January 8, 2027.

No refunds shall be made after January 8, 2027.

Yes, we will have a Networking Reception on Thursday, January 28th, 2027. Stay tuned for more information.

Please reach out to Summit@mentoring.org with any questions regarding your login or to request a receipt if you did not receive one.

MENTOR aims to ensure the Summit will be an inclusive experience for all attendees. All attendees will have the opportunity to specify accessibility needs in their registration. If you have any questions about accessibility at the Summit, please contact summit@mentoring.org.