What are the advantages to being a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)? Does it make much of a difference when it comes to raising money?
Receiving CFRE certification shows donors, peers, and colleagues a commitment to our profession as well as a valid competency to perform to a series of set standards. The process to acquire the CFRE is designed to measure an individual’s “knowledge-in-use” — the applying of knowledge and skills by those with real-life experience in the role of philanthropy.
As part of our professional development in fundraising at Quinnipiac University, it is an expectation of our gift officers to go through the process of acquiring their CFRE. Since it is something that collectively our team each wants to acquire I thought it was only fitting for me to go through the process myself.
Is the CFRE designation more important to the organization hiring a fund raiser or is it more important to the donor?
It should be viewed as equally important to both. The Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) is an internationally recognized credential for professional fundraisers who meet specific standards of achievement, skills and experience. CFRE symbolizes a commitment to excellence and membership in a community of fundraising professionals with similar ideals and qualifications. Certification is the best way to make a statement of commitment to both character and performance.
It is interesting, though, that the CFRE certification is much more prevalent in the South where I have resided/worked [at Rice University] for the past 10 years. It was less novel and more integrated into the day-to-day fundraising of most organizations. It was common to see “CFRE preferred” in job postings as well as it clearly was looked at in promotion and job advancement opportunities. My hope is that conversations like these will drive philanthropy for our communities.
Does the CFRE mean you are able to raise funds regardless of the organization? Is it indicative that you are not just specialized in raising funds for colleges and universities?
Yes. The CFRE designation shares with the public that those with the certification have baseline knowledge and skill-set in fundraising competencies. The CFRE process requires a comprehensive written application followed by a written exam. Individuals interested in the CFRE designation must have at least five years of paid, professional practice in fundraising, meet all of the minimum eligibility requirements, and pass the written exam. The knowledge areas on the exam, which is a 4-hour, 225 question test covering six areas of fundraising and philanthropy, includes: current and prospective donor research; securing the gift; relationship building; volunteer involvement; management; and, accountability.
There are just over 5,400 certificants around the world (4,500 in the United States) with the largest four sectors of employing organizations: education — 25.4 percent, health — 24.42 percent, consultant 16.73 percent, human services — 16.55 percent.
How much investment of time is required to becoming a CFRE? How much time do you have to work in the field for a while before you can earn the certification?
Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession (minimum of 5 years of paid full-time fundraising), education, demonstrated fundraising achievement and a commitment to service to not-for-profit organizations. Additionally, after you complete your application and demonstrate competency in each area you need to pass a 4-hour, 225 question test covering six areas of fundraising and philanthropy. The investment in time is more about the journey than the final destination.
