Looking for Professional Development? So are we!

As a fundraising professional, you hope to thrive, not just survive. With smaller organizations, it’s sometimes both! We’re always looking to continue learning and growing. There are plenty of professional development opportunities to watch out for this year, including webinars on our AFP Global site, local events, or conferences across the country. Hear where some of our members are heading in the coming months.

FRIENDLY REMINDER: AFP Greater Madison offers scholarships for various professional development opportunities, make sure to check out our scholarship page today! 

Ruth K. Hansen, Ph. D., Assistant Professor
Director, Institute of Nonprofit Management Studies
UW-Whitewater

After 20+ years working as a fundraiser, I earned a Ph.D. so I could research fundraising practices, and joined the faculty of the College of Business and Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. This year I am looking forward to attending AFP ICON and meeting with the AFP Research Council with my colleague Dr. Lauren Dula as AFP's 2024 Early Career Emerging Scholars. Speaking with other fundraising thought leaders helps shape our research in fundraising and voluntary support so we can understand philanthropy better. Plus, it's fun!

Emily Gruenewald
Chief Development Officer, Overture Center for the Arts

Last year I attended AFP ICON for the first time and it was a fantastic experience meeting and learning from fundraising professionals across the country and disciplines.

This year I’m looking forward to attending my first conference for Performing Arts Center (PAC) Development leaders, which is an invitation-only group of chief development officers from like-sized arts centers. The group converses regularly via email, but this will be the first time I will meet most of these colleagues in person. We’ll meet in May at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts to discuss fundraising trends, opportunities and challenges in arts fundraising, such as donor benefits, retention and acquisition strategies, galas, data integration, and corporate relationships. Going to a conference always reminds me why fundraising is a noble, important career – we are actively making the world a better place for those we serve and inspire joy in donors’ lives, too. I can’t wait to come back inspired and reenergized!

Elliott Valentine

Senior Development Manager, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

I completed the Veritus Group Academy Certification Course for Major Gift Fundraisers last fall, and it’s drastically changed the way my organization approaches major gift fundraising and relationships. Honestly, it’s still a major work in progress. As anybody else who’s been trained in Veritus’ system would tell you, their method relies on a long process of up to seven steps just to qualify a donor as an enthusiastic, informed part of your portfolio. I’m only part way through that process, but the conversations I’ve had with donors so far, leading with relationship-building and genuine curiosity, have been among the more rewarding and informative in my time with the WCO.

I won’t be traveling to a conference for this Veritus method-based work this year, but I’ll certainly take advantage of the constant updates, refreshers, and discussion boards Veritus operates for alum of their program (and newbies, too!). While I can’t yet fully recommend Veritus’ major gifts course – I’m not done implementing it myself – it’s definitely a professional development opportunity worth considering if you’re looking for a big change in your major gift strategy.

Monica Wahlberg
Development Director, The River Food Pantry

I've enjoyed and found value in AFP Madison's programs, workshops, networking events, and conferences. However, I've never attended an AFP event outside of WI or directly programmed by the Milwaukee chapter. I could speak to other training I've accomplished.

I've participated and received a certificate of Fund Raising Management from The Fund Raising School out of the School of Philanthropy through Indiana University. I found their courses to be relevant, professional, and thorough. There are multiple sites you can choose from for in-person instruction, synchronistic, or asynchronistic learning. The fees are a bit expensive but relational to a credit-based program and I've found I go back to the materials even now, years later for refreshers. Well worth the time and price for in-depth training on key development structures.

The Fund Raising School: Lilly Family School of Philanthropy: IUPUI

When I was primarily working on federal grants, I started a certificate program from Management Concepts. This program was recommended to me by the Small Business Administration (SBA) staff who were administering the federal program. Again, I found the materials to be comprehensive, practical, and useful in context. For anyone working primarily with federal grant programs who wants to have an edge in understanding all the codes, formulas, CFR rules and regulations, etc. I would highly recommend this program.

 Federal Government Grants Management Certificate Program (managementconcepts.com)

Max Nguyen
Senior Gift Officer, Edgewood College

I don’t have a conference lined up yet for 2024, but am keeping a look out. In the meantime, I always keep AFP Global Webinars bookmarked here. They offer complimentary webinars for members, usually at least once a week, and have many others at a decent cost. Don’t forget as a member you get $100 free credit (equates to one free session) to use on a webinar of your choice throughout the year. 

And if you miss a webinar, that’s OK! You can always watch later on. 

Some upcoming examples that have caught my eye:

-What’s Your Legacy? Implementing a Planned Giving Program

-Email and Social Media Best Practices for Fundraising Success

Pat McMurtrie
Annual Giving & Outreach Manager, Gathering Waters

I have plans to attend the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, November 11-13 to Master the Art of Crafting Unforgettable Donor Experiences! 

Attendees will walk away with hands-on workshop experience, easy-to-use templates, proven systems for fundraising success, and a network of new friends. I’m looking forward to leveling up my skills at the 2024 event. 

You can attend in-person or simply order videos and attend conference sessions on-demand.