--- title: Six Benefits of an Alumni Program for Dads description: Learn why creating an Alumni Program is vitally important to the sustainability of your fatherhood work. image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_six-benefits-alumni-program.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/six-benefits-of-an-alumni-program-for-dads#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [fatherhood program planning](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/fatherhood-program-planning) # Six Benefits of an Alumni Program for Dads 1 min read ![Erik Vecere](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/Erik%20Vecere.png?width=100&height=100&name=Erik%20Vecere.png) [** Erik Vecere ** ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/author/erik-vecere) As Chief Partner Success Officer for National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), Erik is responsible for developing and nurturing partnerships with network-based entities that have relationships with human service organizations. ![NFI_Blog_six-benefits-alumni-program](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_six-benefits-alumni-program.jpg?width=453&height=305&name=NFI_Blog_six-benefits-alumni-program.jpg) An alumni program is a group of dads that has completed a fatherhood program, continues learning about fatherhood, and provides support to the primary fatherhood program. While that defines **what** an alumni program is, it’s vital to understand **why** it’s so important to the sustainability of your fatherhood work. There are six reasons you need an alumni program. An alumni program will: 1. Create a group of alumni who: - Stay connected to a positive environment that facilitates continued growth as a dad after they complete your program. - Recruit new dads into your program. - Encourage dads enrolled in your program to maintain their participation. - Act as guides or mentors for dads in your fatherhood program. 2. Improve your program outcomes (e.g. retention of dads) by expanding your organization’s father-friendly environment. 3. Galvanize partnerships with other organizations when the alumni serve the community on your organization’s behalf (e.g. conduct presentations on father absence and its impact on the community). 4. Increase your organization’s assets (e.g. volunteers) and bring other assets to your organization through their skills (e.g. professional and hobbies). 5. Provide staff with deeper expertise in working with dads (i.e. act as a guide to staff on how to effectively work with dads). 6. Attract funding for your fatherhood program by mentioning the alumni program in grant applications. Given these benefits of an alumni program, it’s hard to justify **not** creating one! Now that you know **what** an alumni program for dads is and **why** it’s so important to the sustainability of your fatherhood work, the only thing left is **how** to create one. [National Fatherhood Initiative](https://www.fatherhood.org/)® (NFI) has a [free guide ](https://www.fatherhood.org/alumni-guide?hsCtaTracking=15dfef68-fb5c-4d30-9416-643b2adbbecc%7C656a9487-bb53-4d70-a8bc-55024f93e847)on how to create an alumni program. In it, you’ll find: - The rationale, benefits, and challenges of starting an alumni program. - Sage advice on starting an alumni program. - Case studies that highlight the alumni programs of five organizations in different settings. - NFI resources that are ideal for building and maintaining an alumni program. Use this guide to inform your next steps and, before you know it, you’ll see the benefits of your own alumni program! **If you already have an alumni program for dads, what benefits have you seen?** **If you don’t have an alumni program for dads, **[**download**](https://www.fatherhood.org/alumni-guide?hsCtaTracking=15dfef68-fb5c-4d30-9416-643b2adbbecc%7C656a9487-bb53-4d70-a8bc-55024f93e847)** and read our free guide and establish next steps for starting one!** [![Fundraising for Fatherhood Programs Webinar](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/135704/475ca806-65ae-4ab5-a628-14b7be4bc0a4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/135704/475ca806-65ae-4ab5-a628-14b7be4bc0a4) Date Published: 04/04/2023 Last Updated: 11/22/2024 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! [Get The Guide Now!](https://www.fatherhood.org/starting-a-fatherhood-program) ![7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png?width=700&height=700&name=7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png) [ Previous ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/federal-guidance-affecting-dads-involved-in-the-child-support-and-child-welfare-systems) [ Next ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/becoming-a-new-father-the-transition-to-fatherhood) ## Related Articles ### [How to Help Dads Thrive through Father-Inclusive Programs and Services Dads are irreplaceable and essential for child well-being. Whether teaching them life skills, providing emotional support, or simply being a steady presence, dads’ profound impact ... 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