We asked the CGP community to share their top professional goals for 2025. From working toward new certifications to gaining new skills and expertise, continue reading to hear what peers across the industry are working toward in the new year. 

Goals for 2025 from the CGP Community:

“To keep up with the latest planned giving trends and when and where to implement them."
“Incorporate the latest trends and strategies into my role.”
“Further estate planning and life income goals.”
“Create a legacy giving plan.”
“Making more time to connect with industry peers.”
"To gain knowledge in planned giving topics which will enable me to engage in planned giving conversations more confidently.”
“Create efficiencies while allowing our team to maximize relationship building, including a project to tier our donors to understand how to best allocate our strategic efforts."
“Implement a comprehensive stewardship strategy for my organization aimed at enhancing donor engagement and satisfaction.”
“Create an actionable, realistic 3-year legacy giving plan that engages my colleagues and grows our legacy circle by 20%”
“Earn my CFRE certification.”

Stay up-to-date with the latest trends in gift planning and connect with industry peers.

Whether you’re at the start of your gift planning career or have over thirty years of experience, remaining current on legislative changes and data trends is key. From networking and scholarship opportunities to live webinars, CGP has an abundance of resources to connect with the community and advance your career. 

Advocacy Updates

Join CGP Advocacy Updates to gain insight into the latest updates impacting philanthropy with representatives from Capitol Hill. These bi-monthly events are hosted virtually at 1 p.m. ET. The topic is shared in the weeks leading up to the event.

Advocacy Updates are free to attend but registration is required.

March 2025 Webinar: A Deep Dive Into the Latest Research on Donor-Advised Funds

Led by Lisa Barr and Patrick Schmitt, gain a deeper understanding of the trends driving DAF giving, including a first look at findings from National Philanthropic Trust’s DAF Report.

Connect in the CGP Link

Network with peers across the gift planning industry in the CGP Link. Share ideas, ask questions and gain insight into strategies from colleagues who share your interests, challenges and goals. Log in to explore discussion topics or create your own for focused discussions with the CGP Community.

Further Gift Planning Goals

Discover impactful strategies and relevant information to boost your professional development and amplify your impact.  

CGP Standards 

CGP convenes national experts from all disciplines to define best practices in charitable planning. You can rely on these standards in your work with donors, advisors and charitable organizations.

CGP Membership

CGP Members are the community who manage gift planning efforts across the country. Join or log in to gain access to resources, discounts and opportunities to further your career and network. 

CGP Resources

Explore comprehensive research, insights and news impacting philanthropy to sharpen your skills and leverage your team. From estate planning to donor demographics, access a collection of resources when you sign in as a CGP Member.

Earn Educational Credits 

CGP Webinars

CGP offers live and recorded webinars to equip you with the resources and skills to advance your relationships with donors and organization’s strategies. All CGP webinars are approved for one hour of CFRE credit. A certificate of attendance for individual programs is available on request. Learn more

CFRE DISCOUNT

CGP Members earn an exclusive 20% discount on the CFRE exam. Demonstrate your mastery of best practice fundraising with the globally recognized Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential. The CFRE shows you’re a skilled professional with a fundraising track record and have the proven knowledge to enable your organization to meet its targets. 

To become a CFRE, you must meet certain requirements and pass the CFRE Exam. Earning this rigorous certification boosts your on-the-job confidence and signals to others you have what it takes to succeed in fundraising today. When you’re ready to submit, visit mycfre.cfre.org.

CGP Conference

Join gift planning professionals for the annual CGP Conference. Each autumn, philanthropic professionals nationwide collaborate and expand their expertise through educational sessions and networking opportunities. Save the date for our upcoming conference here. 

Attend your first CGP Conference for free! Submit an application for the CGP Conference Scholarship for a chance to earn complimentary membership and registration to conference. Learn more about the CGP Conference Scholarship. 

Advance Donor Stewardship Strategies 

The majority of goals shared were centered around donor stewardship. From implementing new strategies to building relationships through a phone call or over lunch, the connection with donors remains at the forefront of the collective mission of gift planners and the philanthropic community.

National Standards for Gift Planning Success

The National Standards for Gift Planning Success (NSGPS) describe the fundamental best practices of a well-constructed, sustainable gift planning effort. Whether the budget is large or small, organizations that want to accept planned gifts need to consider all the areas described in the standards.

Decoding the Giving Patterns and Motivations of Affluent Americans | February Webinar

Hosted by Elizabeth Barnette, Decoding the Giving Patterns and Motivations of Affluent Americans will provide insight into donor demographics from The 2023 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy.

Unequivocally Human: Experimentations in Benefactor-Centric Marketing Response | April Webinar

In this session, you'll learn to leverage self-awareness, common sense and "The Golden Rule" to analyze planned giving marketing response and maximize the quality and quantity of prospective lead generation. Register to engage your community and move the conversation forward with Brett Conrad.

Get Involved with CGP

Further your impact on the gift planning community and make your voice heard with additional opportunities to get involved with CGP. 

Make your voice heard as a CGP Advocate

Your actions make a difference. Participate in calls to action, add your organization to sign-on letters, or meet with staff of key legislators. Complete this form and join CGP in advocating for charitable giving.

Become a Mentor/Mentee 

The CGP Mentor Program is designed to develop relationships between experienced professionals and those early in their gift planning careers seeking to learn and enhance skills that will help improve their expertise and confidence to further their careers. 

Volunteer with CGP

Share your expertise, participate in a Member Spotlight, write an article for the CGP Blog, or offer another way to get involved with the community. Complete this form below to be considered. 

Whether you're working toward a professional certification or staying up-to-date on the latest insights in philanthropy, access CGP's resources, community and educational opportunities to support your professional growth.