BECOMING A CFREYour Next Career Goal

Alicia N. Smith, CFRE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Importance of certification Certification vs. certificate program Facts about CFRE International CFRE exam Exam question development Recertification CFRE Contact Info

WHAT IS CERTIFICATION?

Certification - a voluntary process to recognize individuals for meeting standards set by a third party.

Certification assures the public that an individual demonstrates specific knowledge required of a practitioner at a certain level.

Typically, certification is more strenuous than licensure.

CERTIFICATION VS. CERTIFICATE Results from an

assessment process

For individuals

Typically requires professional experience

Indicates mastery of knowledge usually assessed through an exam

Awarded by third-party, standard-setting organization

Results from an educational process

For individuals

For newcomers and experienced professionals

Indicates completion of a course or series of courses with a specific focus

Awarded by educational programs or institutions

CERTIFICATION VS. CERTIFICATE

Standards set by a thorough, defensible, industry-wide process resulting in outline of required knowledge or skills

Typically results in a designation to use after one’s name (CFRE, CPA, SPHR)

Has on-going requirements in order to maintain; holder must continue to demonstrate he/she meets requirements

Course content set a variety of ways (dean, faculty, instructor)

Usually listed on a resume detailing education; may issue a document to hang on the wall

Is the end result; demonstrates knowledge of course content at the end of a set period in time

CFRE INTERNATIONAL

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) International certifies fundraising professionals who demonstrate the knowledge, skills and commitment to the highest standards of ethical and professional practice in serving the philanthropic sector.

CFRE International fulfills this mission by establishing and administering a voluntary certification process based on current and valid standards that measure competency in the practice of philanthropic fundraising.

FACTS ABOUT CFRE INTERNATIONAL

CFRE International is an independent, internationally recognized certifying body for the fundraising profession. CFRE certification requires professionals to demonstrate their expertise in the core principles of fundraising practice and the application of those principles.

CFRE International was created by AHP and AFP as a separate but affiliated organization to ensure credibility of the exam and designation: separation of the educational bodies (AFP and AHP) from the credentialing body (CFRE International).

CFRE INTERNATIONAL

An independent agency endorsed by leading philanthropic associations and members of the public setting standards in philanthropy

Governed by currently certified fundraising professionals elected by the certificant population

The only internationally recognized baseline credential for fundraising professionals

WHO ARE THE PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS?

Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP)

Association of Christian Development Professionals (ACDP)

Association of Fundraising Consultants (AFC)

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)

Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE)

Association of Philanthropic Counsel (APC)

Boy Scouts of America (BSA)

Council for Resource Development (CRD)

The Giving Institute

International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC)

National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC)

New England Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (NEAHP)

North American YMCA Development Organization (NAYDO)

Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (PPP)

Philanthropic Service for Institutions (PSI)

United Way Worldwide (UWW)

ELEMENTS OF A PROFESSION

Most professions possess the following: Recognized body of knowledge Continuing education for professionals Code of ethics Research studying the profession Certification for practitioners in the

profession

RECOGNIZED BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

Based on a job analysis International study of fundraising practice The survey listed all the fundraising duties and

all the knowledge which might be required to be a fundraiser. Respondents are asked: which fundraising tasks they perform; how frequently they perform them; and how critical those tasks and knowledge

areas are to fundraising. Result is the Core Body of Knowledge required

to be an effective fundraising professional

RECOGNIZED BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

This is a large survey listing all the fundraising duties and all the knowledge which might be required to be a fundraiser. Respondents are asked: which fundraising tasks they perform; how frequently they perform them; and how critical those tasks and knowledge

areas are to fundraising

Result is the Core Body of Knowledge required to be an effective fundraising professional

OTHER HALLMARKS OF A PROFESSION Continuing education for professionals

(offered by Participating Organizations, college and universities)

Code of ethics (offered by Participating Organizations)

Research studying the profession These are provided by any number of

professional associations to their members Certification of professionals –provided by

CFRE International

WHAT DISTINGUISHES CFRE?

Certification Requires: Fundraising Experience Continuing Education Demonstrated Fundraising Performance Community Service

Candidates adhere to the International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising, Donor Bill of Rights, and CFRE International’s Accountability Standards

WHY PURSUE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION?

Credibility Commitment Achievement-86% of candidates report

these as main reasons for pursuing certification

Advancement -34% of candidates cite job advancement and increased pay as the top reason for pursuing certification

Recognition. Personal Satisfaction

WHY THE CFRE?

In the U.S., CFRE certificants earn nearly $22,000 more than their non-certified colleagues

In Canada, CFRE certificants earn over $16,500 more than their non-certified colleagues

Figures courtesy of the 2013 Compensation Survey

CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Application-a written application with a point-system to demonstrate your experience –online

Examination-a standardized, multiple-choice exam of 200 questions

Accountability Standards-promoting integrity, ethical behavior and the Donor Bill of Rights

Recertification-reassessment every three years required to continue to be certified

APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Education: Continuing education courses in related areas

Professional Practice: Five (5) years of experience as a professional fundraising staff member or a fundraising consultant

Professional Performance: Demonstrated professional achievement

Service: Demonstrated commitment to the spirit of philanthropy through volunteer service

Agree to uphold the Donor Bill of Rights and the CFRE International Accountability Standards

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

80 points required (1 hour = 1 point ) Document participation in

conferences, workshops, or seminars related to fundraising, not-for-profit management, marketing, or other related topics OR

Teaching courses on the above topics OR

Authoring articles or books

Must have taken courses during past 5 years

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS

60 points required (1 month = 1 point) Must document five (5) years of full-time,

paid professional experience in fundraising during the past eight (8) years

At least 50% of duties must be directly related to fundraising – this can include research and grant proposal writing

PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

55 points required through documentation of: Management Projects - 5 points per

project Examples: board development, feasibility study,

strategic planning

Communications Projects - 5 points per project

Examples: newsletter development, public relations

Actual funds raised - $25,000 = 1 point

Must have been during the past 5 years

SERVICE REQUIREMENTS 55 points required

Must document a commitment to volunteerism and stewardship through participation in their own volunteer activities in the community or with a professional organization

Officer of a Board of Directors = 20 points per year Member of a Board of Directors = 15 points per year Chair of a Committee = 15 points per year Member of a Committee = 10 points per year General volunteer service = 10 points per year

Must have been performed during the past 5 years

THE ONLINE APPLICATION Go to www.cfre.org, click on “My CFRE”,

and use your email and a password of your choosing to create a secure, online account.

Enter your data as you go throughout the form. The system allows you to log in and out of the form, saving information as you go.

The form calculates your required points and turns green when you have documented enough points.

When you are ready to apply and have your application evaluated, submit your application online to CFRE International.

Creating an online account is free. You pay application and testing fees only when you submit your application.

CERTIFICATION TIMELINE Go online and complete your application

www.cfre.org Submit application at least 60 days prior

to start of exam testing window Receive Authorization to Test Letter to

take exam 30 days prior to exam OR receive request for additional information

Make personal testing reservation on-line Take exam at a convenient computer-

based testing center of your choosing Receive preliminary scores upon

completing the exam

COMPUTER-BASED TESTING

Candidates take CFRE exam on a computer in a proctored testing centre at a set appointment time of the candidate’s choosing

Testing on own computer not possible CFRE exam is available during four

“testing windows” each year. Testing windows are listed on CFRE International’s website at www.cfre.org.

Testing centers are available in over 80 countries worldwide. There are over 300 available in North America.

Candidates will still need to apply to CFRE International and get approval before making a personal testing reservation

COMPUTER-BASED TESTING

Candidates will be able to take a tutorial on-site at the testing centre to familiarize themselves with the computer screen and process.

This tutorial time will not cut into the timed portion of the exam.

Candidates will receive preliminary results before leaving testing centre.

Candidates will a receive full, detailed score report in the mail after the close of the testing window.

Detailed FAQs about computer-based testing (CBT) are available on the CFRE website.

CFRE EXAM 200 multiple-choice questions (25 of

which are pre-test items and do not affect your score)

Developed by current, certified fundraising professionals in the field in conjunction with a professional testing agency

The exam is global and is the same no matter where in the world you test.

EXAM CONTENT Prospective and Current Donor Research (28

items –16%) Securing the Gift (34 items -19%) Relationship Building (48 items -27%) Volunteer Involvement (14 items –8%) Leadership and Management (32 items -18%) Ethics and Accountability (19 items –11%)

* Based on 2009 Job Analysis

HOW CFRE EXAM IS DEVELOPED

Core Body of Knowledge identified through detailed survey called a job analysis

Results of survey directly determine content of exam

CFRE certificants write exam questions based on current practice and literature

Exam reviewed by professional testing agency and pre-tested through current candidates

HOW CFRE EXAM IS DEVELOPED Only those task and knowledge statements that

a majority of respondents from all countries indicated they performed are tested on the exam.

The exam is global and focuses on fundamental knowledge needed for fundraising success no matter where in the world one practices as a fundraising professional.

Exam questions are developed by currently practicing professionals.

HOW DO I STUDY?

This baseline, generalist exam assesses your mastery of tasks performed on the job by fundraisers and the knowledge needed to carry out those tasks -not a prescribed set of texts (such as are used to in academic settings).

What YOU need to study may not be the same as what your colleague in the office next door needs to study.

Honestly evaluate YOUR strengths and weakness.

HOW DO I STUDY?

Review the Test Content Outline and compare your professional experience to what is covered.

Identify your personal areas of strengths and weakness.

Review texts or portions of texts from the CFRE Resource Reading List that cover weaker areas.

Form informal study groups with your colleagues.

PREP / REVIEW COURSES

International standards for the operation of certification program prohibit the organization that administers the exam from also preparing candidates for the exam.

As a result, CFRE International does not sponsor or endorse any courses to prepare candidates for the CFRE exam.

Any educational programs will help support your overall knowledge base, thus helping you prepare for an exam.

Candidates should not expect a course to “teach to the exam” and tell you how to answer questions on the exam.

Each candidate’s study plan should be as unique as that candidate’s own experiences.

TIMELINE AFTER THE EXAM At testing center, candidates will receive immediate

Pass/Fail determination via a printout at the center

15 days after the end of the testing window all candidates will receive a detailed score report showing full score

Successful candidates receive official notice and certificate from CFRE International

Can begin using CFRE designation

Unsuccessful candidates receive information on retaking the exam

Candidates must wait three months before retaking the exam

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) is conferred for three (3) years candidates are sent a notice to the last address on

record six months prior to the deadline for recertification

Must submit online application Must apply for and be granted

recertification in order to continue using the CFRE

No exam is required for recertification

CFRE PROGRAM INFORMATION

“Receiving the CFRE designation not only gave me a sense of personal accomplishment but also shows how seriously I view professionalism, hard work, and ethics. I’m glad I went through the process and would do it all over again!”-Ken Turpen, CFRE, Charlotte, NC

76% of first-time test takers are successful Total of current CFREs – more than 5,600 worldwide Recertification rate -81% vs. industry average of 50%

Apply on-line at: www.cfre.org Don’t hesitate to call with questions +1 703 820 5555