# Why exceptional leaders support staff in pursuing professional development

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/sponsored_posts/why-exceptional-leaders-support-staff-in-pursuing-professional-development/
- Published: 2024-10-08T08:40:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Over the last few decades, I’ve spoken with a wide variety of fundraising leaders
about what they see as key components of their department’s success. Invariably,
the topic of supporting professional development for fundraising team members comes
up.**

Some leaders quickly dismiss the value of professional development, seeing it as
a “nice to have” rather than a “have to have.” Others are pessimists worried that
fundraising professionals who have opportunities to learn will simply take that 
knowledge and head out the door with the next new employment opportunity that comes
along.

However, the leaders I’d characterise as exceptional—those who build strong teams
and achieve enviable fundraising results—believe passionately in supporting their
staff’s professional development. Whether budgets are big or small—these leaders
devote resources to helping their people grow. They recognise professional development
equals significant, sustainable fundraising results.

## 3 reasons why professional development leads to a stronger team

There are several reasons why making professional development a priority leads to
more effective fundraising and a stronger fundraising team:

### 1. Lifelong learners need opportunities to grow

In my experience, the best team members are lifelong learners. They care deeply 
about fundraising and have a driving need to expand their professional knowledge
while growing their skills.
This perspective can’t be taught. Yet, it is vitally
important if your fundraising team is going to be adaptable and ready for what comes
next, despite the vicissitudes of an increasingly challenging fundraising environment.

### 2. Turnover diminishes when team members feel valued

Turnover remains an issue in the fundraising profession. According to the [2024 AFP Compensation and Benefits Report](https://afpglobal.org/user/login?destination=/2024-afp-compensation-and-benefits-report-afp-member-download)[
membership required], over 20 per cent of fundraisers in the U.S. and Canada indicated
that they planned to look for another job either within or not within fundraising.
Meanwhile, 27 percent have been with their current organisation for two years or
less.

While the occasional fun perk can make team members feel appreciated, the best way
to make your team feel valued is by letting them know you believe they have potential—
and backing that up with concrete support for professional development.

Team members who are encouraged to expand their professional horizons through consistent
support for their pursuit of [CFRE certification](https://www.cfre.org/uk/), attendance
at conferences, and other training opportunities are more likely to remain satisfied
with their current employer and less likely to seek employment elsewhere.

### 3. Professional attainment elevates team credibility

The better your team’s qualifications, the higher their credibility—whether that’s
within the larger development team, with other organisational departments, or with
key stakeholders such as volunteer leaders and funders.

We all know fundraising is often undervalued both within organisations and externally.
Professional development for your team is a direct investment in raising their credibility
among peers—and the credibility of the fundraising profession overall.

## Impact that will last

Ultimately, as an exceptional leader, your people are your legacy. Supporting professional
development for your team has profound, meaningful, and positive repercussions that
mean better fundraising today and better-equipped fundraising professionals to lead
philanthropy into the future.

Meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities by investing in professional
development for your team—you and your organisation will be happy you did.

_**Eva E. Aldrich** is President and CEO of CFRE International, the only globally
recognised fundraising credential. Prior to joining CFRE International, Aldrich 
was Associate Director of Public Service and The Fund Raising School at the Indiana
University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Before that, she was a member of
the consulting team at Johnson Grossnickle & Associates and was Assistant Professor
of English and Director of the Writing Center at Franklin College. Aldrich has been
widely published in
fundraising journals and is one of the editors of Achieving 
Excellence in Fundraising, 3rd Edition, from Jossey-Bass. She holds a Ph.D. in Philanthropic
Studies from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.