RAG Research: Training
II. What formal and informal learning and training experiences have shaped the professional development of california grantmakers?
Key Finding:
Top 5 specific professional development activities in which grantmakers most commonly participated
Professional Development Activity
|
Proportion of Respondents |
Annual conferences |
88.5% |
Participation in an affinity group |
82.7% |
Participation in a program as a panelist or moderator |
75.4% |
Participation in a RAG workshop or training |
74.5% |
Council on Foundation conferences |
71.4% |
Key Finding:
Top 3 specific activities that have contributed "very significantly" to grantmakers’ overall professional development
- Participation in a pooled grantmaking or collaborative grantmaking process
- Participation in an affinity group
- RAG orientation for new members
Key Finding:
Mentorhip is very common and generally happens informally among grantmakers
- Learning from and being influenced by one’s peers through interpersonal learning is widespread
- Mentorship occurs most frequently in community and private foundations
Grantmakers Experiences of Mentorship and Other Peer |
Proportion of Respondents |
Have been mentored (n=348) |
69.8% |
Mentorship was informal (n=242) |
78.9% |
Have acted as a mentor (n=349) |
56.7% |
Key findings: r>
A majority of foundations institutionally support professional development opportunities through policies and budgets.
- New staff training and ongoing training is offered at about half of foundations
- Grantmakers most often characterize the level of training as minimal or moderate
Key Findings:
Grantmakers most commonly use grantmaking associations as a provider of professional development opportunities
Entities From Which Respondents Typically Seek or Get Learning/Training Opportunities |
Proportion of Respondents |
Grantmaking association (n=350) |
76.0% |
Other professional association (n=347) |
36.7% |
Colleges/universities (n=348) |
18.4% |
Types of Formats in Which Respondents Typically Seek or Get Learning/Training Opportunities |
Proportion of Respondents |
Workshops (n=354) |
76.8% |
Conferences (n=354) |
75.7% |
Informal networks (n= 353) |
70.7% |
|
