I’ve always disliked the first month on a new job. Not that I don’t like the job or the people, but I never like the feeling of not knowing what I’m doing. And when you have no idea where the restroom is, who to talk to for information, or how the copier works, it’s just no fun.

I’m always happiest once I’ve found my groove. But what if you never do?

For many of us, professional development plays such a huge role in our success. How will we ever get better at our job without learning from others, knowing what the latest trends are, or having the opportunity to share our learnings with our peers?

Despite so many grant professionals and fundraisers understanding the need to join membership associations, attend conferences, participate in webinars, and attend in-person gatherings from time-to-time, these activities are often not allowable due to budget restrictions or bosses who don’t understand the value of professional development.

That’s where Fundraising Everywhere comes in. This international organization is giving fundraisers the clarity, confidence, and connections for success, including their most recent study, “The Impact of Learning and Development on Charity Staff: Performance and Job Satisfaction.”

We had the pleasure of speaking with their head of member engagement, Cam St-Omer Donaldson, about the benefits of learning and development, as well as the results of their study. You can listen to it all on the latest episode of the Fundraising HayDay Podcast HERE.

One point I found disappointing was 63% of study respondents said that only some or none of their professional development needs will be met in the next 12 months. The biggest reasons for this? Not enough time, already stretched too thin, or there’s no budget.

This looks like the perfect storm for poor job satisfaction, burnout, and turnover in our sector.

This is exactly why Fundraising Everywhere invested in this study. Cam said, “By doing this research, what we really set out to do, was to prove what we already know. That learning and (professional) development and investing in it enhances job satisfaction, improves retention, and ultimately helps you reach your financial goals.”

I saw a statement once about the cost of professional development to an organization. It went a little something like this.

The boss, “What if I invest in my staff and send them to professional development opportunities and then they get so good at this job that they leave?”

Everyone else, “What if you don’t and they stay?”

I’m all for organizations investing in their people. That must include trainings, conferences, webinars, books, podcasts (hello!), and more. We need to give staff both budgeted funds to attend such events, as well as the time to do it. Because what good is attending an all-day training if your staff person spends half the time answering emails and phone calls or working on another project? And what they learn will return to your organization in terms of increased efficiency, new leads for funding, improved skills, and so much more.

One of the best parts about my last full-time employer (where I worked for 12 years) was they gave me the freedom to get better at my job, including attending in-person conferences and networking events and serving on boards to gain some leadership chops. It made me love my job even more, which is why I stayed as long as I did.

If your organization doesn’t have a professional development plan for your position, I highly encourage you to ask your supervisor about it. Come prepared with a plan and a budget. That’s what I did, and it’s how I attended my first conference. And I’ve been investing in myself and my career ever since. Best. Decision. Ever.

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Amanda Day

Amanda Day, GPC, is a national trainer and speaker. With 20 years of grant prospect research, writing, and management experience, she has the knowledge, know-how, and stories to keep every workshop participant and conference attendee engaged and better prepared to succeed in the grant profession. She is well versed in federal and private grant funding, as well as educating up and using your professional network to best build career path. Her passion lies in preparing grant professionals to successfully fund their organizational and community needs, along with meeting their personal career and leadership goals.

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