FAQs

  • What is the CMF?
  • What is the goal of the CMF?
  • Why was the CMF created?
  • Who makes up the CMF?
  • What does CMF do to advocate for mentoring?
  • Whom does the CMF benefit?

    What is the CMF?

    The California Mentor Foundation (CMF) is an innovative program set up to act as the central infrastructure and voice for mentoring in California. CMF provides funding, technical assistance, advanced training, and administers Quality Assurance (QA) Standards to 522 mentor programs and 29 regional mentor coalitions across California. In the simplest terms, CMF is the infrastructure for supporting the overall growth curve for the Mentoring Movement in California.

    What is the goal of the CMF?

    The goal of CMF is to expand the capacity and quality of mentoring programs, and to improve the linkages between those in need to those willing to help. CMF is also committed to growing the private sector investment in mentoring through the strengthening of business partnerships.

    Why was the CMF created?

    The CMF was set up in response to mentor programs, coalitions, and businesses asking for one central organization to take a leadership role in growing mentoring opportunities in California. Dr. Mecca has volunteered his time and resources for four years to grow the California Mentor Foundation.

    Who makes up the CMF?

    Dr. Andrew Mecca, President of the California Mentor Foundation, and Bridget Lackie, Associate Director, run an efficient and tightly budgeted team of CMF consultants. Most important, CMF supports 360 quality mentor programs and 29 mentor coalitions.

    The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Parsons Foundation and the Koret Foundation support CMF. In addition, private sector partners include Disney, Lucasfilm Ltd., Accenture, Microsoft, Global Crossings, MARSH, AARP, Kikkoman, Porter Novelli, CSEA, The Capital Group, Nissan, and Mervyn’s. CMF is also comprised of an esteemed board of directors, including former Governor Pete Wilson, and senior partner of Texas Pacific Group, Bill price.

    What does CMF do to advocate for mentoring?

    CMF has been the lead advocate of public sector investment for mentor program capacity. This has grown from zero in 1995 to $30 million in 2001. CMF has developed relationships with private sector partners to commit the human capital to this mentoring equation. The private sectors, as well as foundations, are also providing grants and financial support.

    Whom does the CMF benefit?

    The ultimate beneficiaries of CMF are neglected children and those at risk of falling victim to academic failure, drug and alcohol abuse, gang participation and teen pregnancy. CMF also benefits large mentoring programs such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and local mentor programs such as HOSTS. California has developed the first statewide mentoring initiative in the nation. Because of its results and research, leadership, experience and strategy, CMF has provided assistance to other states including Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington and Texas.
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