Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)

Eva E. Aldrich

Why is professional certification important to fundraisers?

Confidence Competence Career success

Why is professional certification important to NGOs and donors?

Trust Donations Change

• International certification• Accredited certification• Independent assessment process• Focused on best practices in ethical fundraising• Founded in 1981• Recognized by national fundraising

associations around the world

CFRE knowledge baseEthics and

Accountability

Donor Research

Relationship Building

Securing the Gift

Volunteer Involvement

Leadership and

Management

How is CFRE knowledge base decided?

RESEARC

H

• International survey (10 countries) of fundraisers on what they do.• Brazilian fundraisers included; ABCR a survey partner.

REVIEW

• Professional testing agency compiles survey results.• Results reviewed and approved by senior certified subject matter

experts (CFREs).

CFRE

EXAM

• Survey results form basis for CFRE knowledge base.• Survey results for basis for CFRE exam content outline.

What are the steps to becomea CFRE?

• STEP 1: Application– Employment as a fundraiser (5 years minimum)– Fundraising results (money raised,

communications projects, and/or management projects supporting fundraising success)

– Education in fundraising (sessions at Festival ABCR count!)

– Volunteer service

What are the steps to becomea CFRE?

• STEP 2: Exam– 200 multiple choice questions total– Six domains of fundraising– Testing centers in Brazil (São Paulo, Fortaleza, Rio

de Janeiro, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Porto Alegre, Brasilia)

– English language only at this time

Recertification required every 3 years

• Recertification requirements:– Continue to work as a fundraiser, achieve

fundraising results, continue to attend education sessions, and volunteer.

– As long as you recertify, you do not have to re-take the exam.

• Recertification is important—it shows you are continuing to learn and grow as a fundraiser.

Why is professional certification important to you?

• Fundraising is an international profession.• Research shows 90% of what fundraisers do is

the same everywhere.• Certification is important so that the public

trusts fundraising and gives generously.• Certification is important to show your

professionalism and competence as a fundraiser.

For more information about CFRE certification:

• Go to www.cfre.org. You can read more and start your application.

• Pick up our Certification Guide after this session.

• Ask me!Thank

you!