Effective Philanthropy:
Professional Development

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Exercising Adaptive Leadership™ to Achieve Social Change

December 4-5, 2006 a collaboration of Cambridge Leadership Associates and FSG Social Impact Advisors presented with the support of NCG's Effective Philanthropy group learn more >>

A Forum for Connections and Learning

A primary benefit of NCG membership is the opportunity to participate in a community where the active exchange of ideas is encouraged and supported. NCG supports an environment of learning and professional growth for its members through a variety of activities: issue or strategy briefings, open forums, annual conferences, quarterly programs, professional development workshops and institutes. We aim to be responsive and proactive, building on membership requests and initiatives but also actively seeking out the new, innovative and timely issues that have the potential to impact our members. Our job is to keep our members informed about emerging trends and changes in regulations in philanthropy and the larger nonprofit sector and to provide gateways for member discourse on these new developments.

Volunteer Energy leads the Way

NCG is a small membership organization that relies heavily on the active participation of committed member volunteers. The Organizational Effectiveness and Professional Development Committee is the volunteer body that oversees the development of relevant, quality professional development activities.

Building a Community of Practice

A linchpin of NCG’s efforts is the learning community or circle (LCC). As a regional source for foundations, family giving and individual donors, we hope to serve as the "connector" or "bridge builder" that helps bring people together in specific small learning environments designed for deep professional and personal development. We believe that facilitating strong peer-to-peer exchange is the best way to support real substantive learning that has transformative power. Please see the NCG guidelines to LCCs and consider organizing or joining one.

Not the Same Old Professional Development

The Craft of Grantmaking is NCG's latest approach to professional development, one that aims to provide meaningful professional development opportunities to members at key points throughout their careers: entry point, 3-5 years in the field and in the later, "seasoned" period of more than 10 years in the field. The process of revitalizing and rebuilding NCG’s professional development program is under the leadership of a group of facilitators who applied to be part of a special institute for those responsible for designing and organizing this new set of professional development activities. The Heart of Grantmaking Retreat exemplifies NCG’s new professional development approach. By providing members with time way from their daily chores to reflect on their role in their foundations, the "Heart of" allows for truth telling that is leads participants to feel revitalized and reconnected to their work – with real concrete ideas as to how to improve relationships with grant seekers, colleagues and trustees.