Staying up-to-date with evolving legislation and industry trends while managing teams and schedules is an ongoing challenge across industries. Whether you’re looking to master new technology, gain practical skills or understand the latest from Capitol Hill, professional development is crucial for career success in charitable giving and philanthropy.

As opportunities and educational resources continue to evolve, professional development resources emerge across the sector. The May Perspectives poll provides insights into how the CGP community approaches career development, revealing the most effective methods for staying informed and evolving your career. 

How do you invest in your professional growth and development?

Conferences: 90%
Webinars: 90%
Community: 64%
Articles: 63%
Mentorship: 37%
Certifications: 26%
Scholarships: 5%
Other: 10.5%

The majority of professionals don’t rely on a single method of development to advance their skill set. The most effective approach combines multiple strategies to address various aspects of career growth for long-term success. 

Invest in Learning Opportunities 

With 90% of professionals participating in webinars, it’s clear that expert-led learning opportunities are essential to career growth and continued education. For regular skill updates, webinars provide the flexibility and convenience needed amidst ever-evolving legislative landscape and busy calendars. 

Meanwhile, conferences create immersive learning experiences with irreplaceable face-to-face networking and community. The continued value of conferences is demonstrated by the 90% who prioritize them in their development strategy. Multi-day events provide intensive education with the meaningful community that cannot be replicated in a virtual setting.

Featuring interactive workshops, innovative sessions and networking opportunities, CGP Conference serves as a premier education and networking event for gift planning and philanthropy professionals. Advance your skills alongside hundreds of charitable giving professionals with specialized education designed to help you reach your goals.

Beyond immediate learning, webinars and conferences serve a strategic purpose for the 26% of respondents pursuing professional certifications. Many certifications require credits to be earned through courses and sessions, making CGP Conference and webinars a practical pathway to fulfill ongoing education needs and credential requirements. 

Strengthen Professional Networks

Professional networking and community are essential for career advancement, with 63% of professionals actively participating in professional communities. Community engagement extends beyond formal meetings to include resource sharing, collaboration and ongoing dialogue. The continued importance of engagement reflects the value of peer-to-peer learning opportunities. 

From seeking advice on complex gifts to exploring new job opportunities, grow alongside your peers as a CGP Member. CGP’s network of resources, events and gift planning and philanthropy professionals provides opportunities to connect with peers in your region, share challenges and solutions while advancing your network and organization. 

Stay Informed 

For 63% of professionals, articles remain a vital resource for staying informed on the latest developments affecting gift planning and philanthropy. With news and best practices emerging daily, CGP’s monthly newsletters and comprehensive online library of resources allow members to quickly find the resources needed to make an impact. 

Seek Specialized Professional Opportunities

The 37% of the CGP Community who participate in mentorships recognize the unique value they bring to professional development. These programs create transformative experiences for career development and personal growth. Offering long-term support and knowledge sharing, these connections often extend beyond the program. By pairing leaders in philanthropy with emerging professionals, the CGP Mentor Program offers one-on-one guidance and relationship-based learning, fostering more personalized career development. 

Representing the smallest segment of professional development, scholarships provide accessibility to career development opportunities, regardless of organization size or budget constraints. When other methods may be out of reach, scholarships offer financial support for conference attendance, certification programs and specialized education. 

The CGP Conference Scholarship awards a complimentary registration and a one-year CGP membership to first-time attendees looking to expand their professional development. CGP also offers leadership development opportunities through speaking engagements, committee service and volunteer roles. 

Take the Next Step

As you consider how to incorporate these elements into your schedule, the key is to create a comprehensive approach that addresses your career goals, schedule, and learning style. to develop advanced expertise, stay ahead of industry changes and expand your professional network. Whether through conferences, webinars or networking opportunities, CGP provides the full spectrum of resources needed to execute your professional development strategy. Take the next step toward reaching new heights in your profession with CGP.

Join the CGP Community