By Nate Waddington, Head of Mentorship and Documentation, CNCF

Open source projects rely on strong communities. Mentorship programs like LFX Mentorship and Google Summer of Code offer maintainers a chance to bring new contributors into their projects, fostering long-term growth and sustainability. 

But mentorship isn’t just about onboarding new talent—it’s also a way to expand your network, demonstrate leadership, and build a stronger foundation for your project’s future.

This post highlights the benefits of mentorship for maintainers, explains what mentees can bring to your project, and shares key details about the upcoming CNCF mentorship opportunities.

Mentorship: A Catalyst for Project Growth

Mentorship programs aren’t just for aspiring contributors—they’re a strategic tool for project maintainers. By welcoming mentees, you can:

Why Mentoring Benefits Maintainers

Mentoring is more than an act of generosity—it can be a career-defining opportunity for maintainers:

What Can Mentees Do for Your Project?

CNCF mentees are prepared to make meaningful contributions, such as:

Impact of Mentorship

Mentorship creates a ripple effect, benefiting projects long after the term ends:

Bar chart showing % of mentees contributing in the year following their term
Graph showing number of mentees who became mainteners

Key Dates for the Next Term of CNCF LFX 2025 Mentorship

Get ready to make an impact; the call for 2025 CNCF LFX Mentorship Term 1 project proposals opens soon:

Join the CNCF Mentorship Working Group

Be part of the team shaping the future of cloud native. The Mentorship Working Group is a collaborative space for maintainers to share insights, develop strategies, and support mentorship efforts. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month, and new members are always welcome.

The Next Step in Project and Career Growth

CNCF’s mentorship programs are a win-win for maintainers and contributors; only 73 of our 205+ projects have participated, so there is room to grow–and in particular, I’d like to invite sandbox projects to participate. By mentoring, you’ll not only grow your project but also gain recognition, leadership experience, and a stronger community. Have any questions? Here are helpful links, and if you still want to chat, reach out to natew@cncf.io: