Thirty or forty years of experience running a business, managing a team, or solving problems on the job doesn't retire when you do. A lot of new small-business owners would pay for exactly that kind of advice, and a free federal resource partner called SCORE lets you give it away instead, on your own schedule.
SCORE pairs volunteer mentors with people starting or growing a small business. It doesn't require a business degree or a certification, just real experience and a few hours a month you're willing to share.
Decision
How do you picture sharing what you know?
Pick the format that sounds more like you.
What Being a SCORE Mentor Actually Involves
SCORE mentors volunteer their time, and the hours are flexible. You can meet with a small-business owner in person at a local chapter, or entirely online if travel is hard or you split time between two places.
Give some thought to what you'd actually be useful for before you sign up, using one-on-one mentoring as your starting point.
Find Your Local Chapter and Make Contact
SCORE operates through local chapters across the country, in addition to national online mentoring, and matching with a small-business owner usually happens at the chapter level, not through a single national queue.
The Small Business Administration's local assistance finder is the fastest way to find the chapter nearest you and see how they handle new mentor sign-ups.
Find affordable activities that fit your week, energy, and budget.
Build my planClose tool
Turn a general idea into a short weekly plan that fits your budget, energy, and transportation comfort.
Checklist
Get ready to mentor one person at a time
A little preparation makes the first match go smoother.
0 of 4 done.
Timeline
Work it in order
Check off each step as you go.
Use the SBA's local assistance finder to locate the SCORE chapter nearest you.
Reach out about becoming a mentor and ask what their one-on-one mentoring process looks like.
Finish whatever background steps or orientation the chapter requires before your first match.
Start with one commitment before adding more to your schedule.
Checklist
Set the boundaries before you start
A sustainable commitment beats an ambitious one you can't keep.
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Save what you decided here so you have it ready when you contact your local chapter.
Make It Part of Your Week, Not a Second Job
Keep the first version of this small. One mentee or one workshop is enough to find out whether the fit is right, and SCORE mentors are volunteers, not employees, so you can adjust your commitment as your own schedule changes.
Tell your mentee or your chapter contact about your availability upfront. A retiree who's clear about a two-week trip in October is easier to work with than one who goes quiet without explanation.
If SCORE's business focus isn't the fit, Volunteer Programs for Retirees Through AmeriCorps Seniors covers a broader range of local volunteer roles.
Common questions
Do I need a business degree to become a SCORE mentor?
No. SCORE mentors volunteer based on real work experience, whether that's running a business, managing a team, or building deep knowledge in a specific field. There's no degree or certification requirement to apply.
How much time does SCORE mentoring actually take?
That's up to you. Mentors set their own hours, decide how many mentees to take on, and can meet in person, by phone, or by video call. Starting with one mentee or one workshop is a reasonable way to find out how much time actually fits your week.
Can I mentor online instead of going to a local chapter in person?
Yes. SCORE offers online mentoring in addition to in-person meetings at local chapters, which helps if travel is difficult or you split time between two places during the year.
How do I find my nearest SCORE chapter?
Use the Small Business Administration's local assistance finder, which lists SCORE chapters by location. Matching with a small-business owner typically happens at the chapter level, so contacting your nearest one directly is the fastest way to start.
