Page 6 - Spring 2018 Digital inLEAGUE Volume 41 Number 02

3 Reasons Your Nonprofit Should Invest in Professional
Development

by Erin Doherty, NTEN, on 2/22/18 8:00 AM

Does your nonprofit support staff through continuing education? Do you even have a line item in your budget
for professional development? Or are you asking yourself, “What does ‘professional development’ even mean,
anyway?”
Professional development encompasses a variety of specialized education and training through online
and in-person courses, webinars, and conferences. It’s a necessary cost of doing business and employee
compensation. Opportunities for continuing education are vital to keep growing in our chosen careers.
And while career advancement is important, it’s not the only benefit of having access to continuing education.

1. INCREASED EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION

Nonprofits often can’t afford to pay the highest wages or shell
out for hefty bonuses. But cash isn’t the only way to show that you
appreciate your staff (though you should be paying your staff a fair
and liveable wage, of course).
People who feel supported in their professional goals are happier in
their positions, even if they’re not making as much money as their for-
profit counterparts. This means better workplace morale, and better
morale means less burnout and more engagement.
Studies have shown that organizations who offer professional
development opportunities have a higher staff retention rate than
those who don’t. Setting aside even $500 to $1000 per employee for
trainings and certifications is much less expensive than the costs of
staff turnover.
http://blog.blackbookhr.com/the-emotional-side-of-employee-engagement/
2. BETTER RESULTS FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION

When your development assistant completes an online course on digital engagement strategies, starts working
toward his CFRE, or attends events like the Nonprofit Technology Conference, everyone wins.
Not only will he learn new skills, resources, and tools, chances are high that he’ll apply that learning with
renewed vigor and inspiration in his day-to-day work in the development department. Those new approaches
to donor engagement will mean more resources so you can meet your fundraising goals and keep your
organization humming along.
Similarly, you can set your new program manager up for success by making sure she receives training in project
management techniques and tools, or courses in leadership and management approaches.
In my own work with NTEN, we consistently hear from participants in our courses and annual conference that
they feel more positive and inspired about their work and their ability to create change. They are able to
immediately put into practical use what they’ve learned and start seeing results. Achieving success toward
goals not only helps employees feel more satisfied, it helps you better fulfill your mission.

3. RISING TIDE, LIFTED BOATS

Better educated and more motivated employees means we can better fulfill our missions and serve our
communities. We’re better equipped to be the trusted and respected leaders we know we already are.
So the next time you bring your annual budget to the board, make the case for professional development
opportunities for your nonprofit’s staff and include it as a line item. We may joke about “nonprofit life” when
office chairs are broken or the air conditioning goes out, but at the end of the day, we’re professionals, and our
work matters.
When we invest in professional development, that’s what we’re saying: Your work matters, and we believe
you’re worth the investment.

PAGE 4 | Spring 2018 INLEAGUE