Professional Development: One-Minute Videos to Two-Day Events

With a new year comes new challenges and new goals for any fundraiser. Maybe you’re interested in attracting the next generation of donors. Maybe you’re focused on cultivating major gifts. Maybe you’re aspiring to earn your CFRE this year. 

The great thing (or I should say, ONE of the great things) about AFP is the sheer volume, and gold-standard quality, of education you can access. Whatever your goals for this year are, AFP has content that can help you get there, at a pace that accommodates your schedule.

Because let’s be honest, we’re all busy, and professional development can sometimes fall by the wayside when juggling work deadlines, kids’ sporting events, other family responsibilities, and the ever-elusive self-care… but education, even in small doses, is essential to keeping our skills fresh. 

I want to take today’s message to remind everyone that no matter how much (or how little) time you have, there’s always time for a little learning. 

Here’s some AFP offerings that I suggest based on the time you have to dedicate: 

I’m pressed for time: Even if you feel like there isn’t time in your busy schedule for professional development, there are still things you can do to get your daily dose of education. For example, check out AFP’s micro-learning videos, providing key takeaways in under five minutes. Or, open AFP’s daily newsletter, bringing timely fundraising news and trending topics to your inbox. 

I want to learn when I have the time: AFP has live webinar events, at least once every two weeks, often more. The interaction you get during a live webinar is great, but if you can’t make it, all of our webinars are available to members (and some to non-members), in our online learning center. See the list of upcoming and past webinars.

I can commit some time to a topic I’m interested in: AFP Deep Dives are longer form, online courses, that go into detail on a specific topic. For example, we have upcoming Deep Dives on digital marketing/social media and individual giving. 

I want to attend a local event: Even if you can’t take the time off, or get the travel budget, to attend one of AFP’s signature events, you can still network locally with the members of your chapter. AFP chapters frequently host their own virtual and in-person events, which you can find on the AFP events calendar. 

I have a few days and am willing to travel: If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that we NEED face-to-face human connection. There’s nothing more inspiring than spending a few days with a couple thousand of your fellow fundraisers, learning from one another, and creating a network of peers you can tap for day-to-day advice. If you haven’t already, make sure to register for the largest fundraising conference of the year, AFP ICON, taking place in New Orleans, April 16-18. With over 100 sessions, you’re sure to find a topic that can help you reach your 2023 goals. 

I personally can’t wait to see many of you at AFP ICON in just a few months! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email at Mike.Geiger@afpglobal.org or on Twitter at @AFPMikeGeiger. I’d love to hear from you.

Mike Geiger, MBA, CPA