Thank Your Mentor Day

Thank Your Mentor Day is observed on the Thursday of the third full week in January. In 2026, it falls on January 21. This awareness day is a key part of National Mentoring Month and focuses on expressing gratitude to individuals who provide guidance, support, and professional wisdom. By dedicating a specific day to these relationships, the event highlights the tangible impact that mentors have on personal development and career progression across all industries.

History of Thank Your Mentor Day

Thank Your Mentor Day was established in 2002 by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership in collaboration with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. It was created as the cornerstone of the inaugural National Mentoring Month, an initiative designed to recruit new mentors and celebrate existing ones. The founders recognized that while mentoring happened frequently in schools and workplaces, there was no formal moment in the calendar to publicly acknowledge these selfless contributions.

The day gained significant traction through the “Who Mentored You?” campaign, which encouraged celebrities and public figures to share stories of the mentors who shaped their lives. High-profile endorsements from figures such as Maya Angelou and various U.S. Presidents helped solidify the day as a national tradition. Over time, the celebration has expanded from a focus on youth-based programs to include corporate mentorship, peer-to-peer guidance, and informal community coaching.

Why is Thank Your Mentor Day important?

Mentorship is a primary driver of social mobility and professional success. Research indicates that students with mentors are 55% more likely to enroll in college and 78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their own communities. In the workplace, employees who receive mentorship are promoted five times more often than those without such support. By acknowledging these mentors, the day validates the time and effort they invest, which reinforces their commitment to staying involved in the development of others.

The day also plays a critical role in addressing the “mentoring gap” that affects millions of young people who lack a positive adult role model. Publicly celebrating these relationships raises awareness about the need for more volunteers and encourages people to sign up for local programs. Furthermore, expressing gratitude has been shown to improve the well-being of both the giver and the recipient, strengthening the bond between mentor and mentee. This culture of appreciation ensures that the cycle of knowledge-sharing continues across generations.

• Mentees with regular guidance are less likely to start using illegal drugs.
• Mentoring programs help increase minority representation in management positions.
• Most employees who have a mentor report higher levels of job satisfaction.
• Acknowledgment encourages mentors to continue their volunteer work long-term.
• Public stories of mentorship inspire others to become guides for the next generation.

How to Celebrate Thank Your Mentor Day

Celebrating this day focuses on sincere and specific expressions of thanks. Sending a handwritten note or a detailed email remains one of the most effective ways to show appreciation. These messages are most impactful when they mention a specific piece of advice or a moment of support that changed the mentee’s perspective. Many people choose to post a tribute on social media using the hashtag #ThankYourMentor, which helps spread awareness and honors the mentor in a public forum.

Another way to observe the day is by “paying it forward” through a commitment to become a mentor to someone else. This action honors a mentor’s legacy by ensuring their lessons are passed down to a new individual. Some mentees also choose to make a financial donation to a local mentoring organization in their mentor’s name. Small gestures, such as inviting a mentor for a cup of coffee or gifting a book that aligns with their interests, provide a personal touch to the day’s observations.

• Write a card detailing exactly how their guidance helped you reach a goal.
• Post a photo with your mentor on social media to highlight their impact.
• Sign up to volunteer as a mentor for a local youth organization.
• Make a donation to a mentoring charity in honor of your mentor.
• Call your mentor simply to update them on your recent professional progress.