Perspectives

Over the past several months, volunteers on the CGP Conference Committee have worked together to curate sessions and topics to offer attendees the latest professional development and educational opportunities at CGP Conference. Members of the committee have developed specialized articles tailored for different sectors of the planned giving community.

Hannah Yaritz, Senior Vice President at CCS Fundraising, shared her top five reasons for attending the conference as an allied professional. As a bridge between gift planning professionals, donors, and/or organizations, CGP Conference offers authentic networking experiences with innovative education to maximize your connection with attendees.

As an allied professional, the CGP Conference is a cornerstone event on my annual calendar. Each year, I’m inspired by the collective dedication of attendees who come together to deepen their expertise – all in service of advancing nonprofit missions and the generous donors who support them.

If you’re an allied professional and haven’t yet registered, I warmly encourage you to join me for three days of meaningful connection, forward-thinking innovation and impactful professional development.

Here are my top five reasons for attending CGP Conference 2025:

Build Strategic Relationships

The Solutions Center is the hub for networking with nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and fellow allied professionals. Events like the Welcome Reception, Affinity Group Sessions, and Happy Hours provide informal settings to connect and collaborate. Explore the agenda here.

Deepen Sector Expertise

The CGP Conference offers specialized sessions on topics like charitable remainder trusts and donor stewardship. Workshops such as “AI for Impact” and “Gift Planning Fundamentals” help allied professionals stay current with tools and trends in planned giving.

Showcase Expertise and Services

Sponsorship opportunities allow professionals to increase visibility and engage directly with attendees through branded experiences, push notifications, and featured placements. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities and explore current exhibitors here.

Pro Tip: Use the conference to take showcasing your expertise to the next level – think about speaking opportunities for 2026!

Understand Client Needs

Sessions like “Deeper Donor Relationships in Planned Giving” and “Mission is Money: Data-Driven Storytelling” offer insights into the challenges nonprofits face, helping allied professionals tailor their services.

Professional Development

The conference is designed for both seasoned experts and newcomers, making it a valuable learning environment. Keynotes and plenaries from leaders like Eileen Heisman, Brandolon Barnett, and Sandra Swirski provide high-level perspectives on philanthropy, policy, and innovation.

Breakout sessions are approved for a number of Continuing Education accreditations, including: CFRE, CAP, CSPG, CFP. Attendees may also submit session information to their state authority to request CLE credit.

If you haven’t already registered, early bird pricing is available until August 27.

CGP Conference 2025