CFRE CERTIFICATION: MAKE AN IMPORTANT INVESTMENT IN YOUR FUNDRAISING CAREER

BY TANYA PIETRKOWSKI

Twenty-five years ago, the Association of Fundraising Professionals began developing the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation as a way to acknowledge those individuals who upheld the standards and best practices of an emerging profession. Today, CFRE International, which unites the certification programs of the AFP and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, offers the only internationally recognized baseline professional credential for the philanthropic fundraising executive.

Thinking of becoming a CFRE? It’s never too early to develop a plan. To help you negotiate this lengthy and potentially intimidating process, here are some recommendations:

1. Check out the CFRE web site www.cfre.org. You’ll get an overview, deadlines for applications and testing, and all necessary forms.
2. Take time to meet with CFRE-certified executives. Networking is an excellent opportunity to get pointers on how to best prepare for the exam.
3. Put together a five-year history of your professional educational activities, experience, service and performance. You will need this to complete the written application, which awards points for each qualifying contribution; for example, every hour of educational instruction counts as 1 point towards the 80-point minimum. ( a helpful tracking worksheet follows)
4. Schedule your calendar to ensure that you meet all deadlines. Note that the application must be submitted no later than 60 days before your desired exam date. You will receive a letter confirming that you are a qualified applicant thirty days prior to your scheduled exam.
5. Be sure to block out adequate time to study on your own or through a class.

Within six weeks after you take the exam, you will be notified if you have met CFRE criteria; statistically more than 70% of applicants pass the exam.

CFRE certification is a terrific investment in your fundraising career. It provides credibility, increased status in the nonprofit community, potentially more pay and recognition. As a fundraising professional a CFRE designation attests to your knowledge, skills and achievements.

CFRE Professional Development Tracking Sheet