With the New Year upon us, now is the time to prepare for an even more productive and impactful year. Whether you’re building a transformational program, deepening donor relationships or navigating industry shifts, the months ahead offer the opportunity to advance your career and amplify your impact.

Commit to accelerating your professional growth through:

• Strategic processes to drive measurable results 
• Collaborative connections with fellow gift planning professionals
• Updates on the latest legislature, trends and technology transforming the industry 
• Opportunities to share your expertise and sharpen your skills 

From Advocacy Updates to keep you informed on the latest developments from Capitol Hill to educational resources and programming to transform your practice, continue reading to explore how to create a lasting legacy for donors and the organization(s) you serve in 2026.

Advocate for the Industry

As we enter another year, prioritize staying informed with the current legislation and developments on Capitol Hill. Make your voice heard and gain insight from Washington, D.C. during CGP’s bi-monthly Advocacy Updates. Join during the odd months of 2026 for a focused conversation on current legislation. 

Continue advocating for the industry as a CGP Advocate. Add your name to the list of contacts for opportunities to make your voice heard.

Sign up Now

Find Your Community

Building lasting connections who also share your expertise has never been easier. Whether you are a gift planning officer, fundraiser, estate planner, allied professional or other gift planning practitioner, find your community through the CGP Link. Sign in on the CGP website to ask questions, share your expertise and build connections that will span your career.

Expand Your Education

Expand your skills and evolve your career with comprehensive educational webinars, resources and opportunities specifically for the gift planning community. Whether you’re an emerging professional looking to enhance your knowledge of the field or to connect with a 6,000-strong community of your peers, a CGP membership includes everything you need to advance your career and create new impact.

Renew or join to access member-exclusive discounts, opportunities and resources: https://charitablegiftplanners.org/join.

Review the Data: Gift Planner Compensation

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the field, review the latest industry trends shaping the industry in the 2024 Compensation Survey Report.

The report spans over 60 pages and explores 44 research questions impacting the compensation of charitable gift planners, including:

• Regional salary benchmarks and variations

• Career satisfaction and retention

• Professional challenges and perceptions 

Access the Report

Evaluate Your Program: Model Standards of Practice & NSGPS

When you are building a team and developing policies, plans and metrics that encourage long-term investment in gift planning while creating a transformational donor experience, it can be difficult to find a place to start.

The National Standards of Gift Planning Success (NSGPS) describe the fundamental best practices of a well-constructed, sustainable gift planning effort. Whether you are a one-person department or an organization with a streamlined approach, NSGPS demonstrates best practices, ways to examine your current program, and provides the resources needed to support program development.

Examine your program and learn more: https://charitablegiftplanners.org/nsgps

Use these guidelines to shape gift planning programs that are growing, pipeline-focused, and sustained over time. Integrate one (or all) of the standards to take your program and organization further in 2026.

Read the standards: https://charitablegiftplanners.org/standards

Hear Stories from the Industry in the “Dead Giveaway” Podcast

With host Matt Treadwell, hear from others in the community with the “Dead Giveaway” podcast, presented by CGP. Available on the third Thursday of every month, explore the careers, triumphs and gift planning insights from professionals in the field. Whether you’re looking for insight on AI or to hear from industry experts, there is an episode for every listener.

Subscribe and listen on your preferred streaming platform.

Explore The Journal of Gift Planning

From articles on innovative donor cultivation strategies, to complex legal issues surrounding non-cash assets, CGP’s The Journal of Gift Planning holds valuable insights for charitable gift planners and fundraisers in every stage of their careers. 

Make your voice heard among thousands of your peers by contributing to this publication for today’s planned giving professional. The deadline to submit for consideration in the upcoming spring 2026 issue is January 19, 2026.

Learn about the vision, readership, as well as submission requirements for each article type and submit your article here. 

Find or Become a Mentor

Share your expertise or learn new skills with the CGP Mentor program. The CGP Mentor Program is designed to develop relationships between experienced professionals and those early in their gift planning careers seeking to learn, enhance their skills and gain expertise in their field.

Guide the next generation of leaders or learn from industry experts: https://charitablegiftplanners.org/cgp-mentor-program 

Share Your Story

Share your success or announcements, participate in a Member Spotlight or find another way to get involved. Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/1uE4gdyRp7f81oTa9

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We look forward to continuing to serve as your professional home in 2026. Be sure to stay connected with CGP to stay up-to-date on the latest opportunities, announcements, and resources. 

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