Becoming a CFRE

1. Becoming a CFRE Why Becoming a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Should Be Your Next Personal and Professional Goal

2. What is Certification? • Certification - a voluntary process to recognise individuals for meeting standards set by a third party • Accreditation - a voluntary process to recognise institutions or organisations for meeting standards set by a third party • Licensure - a mandatory governmental requirement necessary for individuals to practice in a particular profession

3. 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 organisation 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 programmes or institutions Certification vs. Certificate

4. 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, CFP, APRA) 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 Certification vs. Certificate

5. CFRE International: Who We Are • 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. In furtherance of its mission, CFRE International promotes voluntary certification, in dialogue with government and other bodies globally, as the preferred alternative to licensure and/or government regulation.

6. CFRE International: Who We Are • A cooperative programme of 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 recognised baseline credential for fundraising professionals

7. Who Are the Participating Organisations? • Across North America: • Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) • Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) • Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE) • Association of Philanthropic Counsel (APC) • Canadian Association of Gift Planners*Association canadienne des professionnels en dons planfies (CAGP*ACPDP) • Council for Resource Development (CRD) • International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) • North American YMCA Development Organisation (NAYDO)

8. Who Are the Participating Organisations? • In the United Kingdom: • Association of Fundraising Consultants (AFC) • Institute of Development Professionals in Education (IDPE) • In Australasia • Fundraising Institute - Australia (FIA) • Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ) • In the United States • National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC) • New England Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (NEAHP) • Philanthropic Service for Institutions (PSI) • United Way of America (UWA)

9. What Distinguishes CFRE? • Certification Requires: • Fundraising Experience • Continuing Education • Demonstrated Fundraising Performance • Community Service • Candidates adhere to the Donor Bill of Rights • Candidates pledge adherence to Accountability Standards

10. CFRE Certificants Have Fundraising Experience • Certificants have at least five years of paid, professional experience as a member of a philanthropic fundraising staff or as a consultant to a nonprofit bringing a significant knowledge base to any position.

11. CFRE Certificants Remain Current with Trends and Best Practices • Certificants are required to continue to obtain current professional development information, explore new knowledge in specific content areas, master new fundraising related skills and techniques, and conduct professional practice in an ethical and appropriate manner

12. CFRE Certificants Have a Proven Track Record • Certificants have a track record of performance with communications projects, management assignments, or front line fundraising experience with outcomes that directly impact the development function of their organisation and must demonstrate this throughout their certification.

13. CFRE Certificants Engage in Community Service • Certificants are personally and professionally invested in their community. Through participation in professional associations and/or community organisations (i.e., local church, youth groups, service clubs, etc.), members are active volunteers who care about their community.

14. Why Pursue Professional Certification? • Credibility. CFRE certification serves as an impartial, third party endorsement of your knowledge and experience against international standards in philanthropy. It adds to your credibility as a fundraiser and sets you apart from other professionals. • Achievement.CFRE certification is a reflection of personal achievement because the individual has displayed mastery of his or her field by meeting requirements and standards set in philanthropy. • 86% of candidates report these as main reasons for pursuing certification

15. Why Pursue Professional Certification? • Commitment. Receiving CFRE certification shows your peers, supervisors and, in turn, donors your commitment to your chosen career and your ability to perform to set standards. CFRE certification programme seeks to grow, promote and develop certified professionals, who can stand “out in front” as role models in the fundraising field. • Advancement. CFRE certification can give you the “edge” when being considered for a promotion or other career opportunities. The CFRE clearly identifies you as an employee who has demonstrated mastery of fundraising principles and techniques based on accepted best practices. • 34% of candidates cite job advancement and increased pay as the top reason for pursuing certification

16. Why Pursue Professional Certification? • Recognition. As a CFRE certificant, you can expect increased recognition from your peers for taking that extra step in your professional career. • Personal Satisfaction. CFRE certification is a step toward defining yourself beyond a job description or academic degree while gaining a sense of personal satisfaction.

17. Why Pursue Professional Certification? • Responsibility. Knowledge. Skills. CFRE certification is a clear indicator of your willingness to invest in your own professional development. Certified professionals are aware of the constantly changing environment around their profession and possess the desire to anticipate and respond to change. Typically, achieving CFRE certification requires training, study and “keeping up” with changes. CFRE certification showcases your individual mastery by confirming proficiency and knowledge in the field. Recertification is required every three years, proving you stay ahead of the curve in fundraising.

18. Why the CFRE? • In the U.S., Certified Fund Raising Executives (CFRE) earn 17% more than their non-certified colleagues • In the U.S., CFRE certificants have an average salary of $85,032 • In Canada, CFRE certificants earn 36% more than their non-certified colleagues • In Canada, CFRE certificants have an average salary of $81,862 statistics courtesy of the 5th Annual Compensation and Benefits Study conducted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) – January 2005

19. Certification Process • Application - a written application with a point-system to demonstrate your experience • Examination - a standardised, multiple-choice exam of 225 questions • Accountability Standards - promoting integrity, ethical behaviour and the Donor Bill of Rights • Recertification - reassessment every three years required to continue to be certified

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Professional Performance Requirements • 55 points requiredthrough 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

24. 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 organisation • 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

25. Certification Timeline • Obtain and complete written application • Submit application at least 90 days prior to start of exam testing window • Receive Eligibility Letter to take exam 45 days prior to exam OR receive request for additional information • Make personal testing reservation on-line • Beginning in 2006 the CFRE Exam will be available via hundreds of computer-based test (CBT) delivery centres across North America • Write exam

26. Computer-Based Testing in 2006 • Candidates will 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 will be available during four “testing windows” throughout 2006 • April 15 – May 6 • June 24 – July 15 • August 26 – September 16 • October 21 – November 11 • Over 300 testing centres are available in North America • Candidates will still need to apply to CFRE International and get approval before making their personal testing reservation

27. Computer-Based Testing in 2006 • Candidates will be able to take a tutorial on-site at the testing centre to familiarise 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 receive full, detailed score report in the mail after the close of the testing window • Detailed FAQs about computer-based testing (CBT) available on the CFRE website

28. CFRE Examination • 225 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 • Separate forms available for residents of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States

29. Exam Content • Prospective and Current Donor Research (33 items – 16.5%) • Securing the Gift (37 items - 18.5%) • Relationship Building (50 items - 25%) • Volunteer Involvement (21 items – 10.5%) • Management (40 items - 20%) • Accountability (19 items – 9.5%)

30. How CFRE Exam is Developed • Core Body of Knowledge identified through detailed survey called a job analysis • Results of survey determine content of exam • CFRE certificants write exam questions based on current practice and literature • Exam reviewed by professional testing agency

31. CFRE Job Analysis - 2003 • International study of fundraising practice conducted in 2003 across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States • 2,500 professionals surveyed – 500 from the UK • Study had a 52% response rate

32. CFRE 2003 Job Analysis Results • Only those task and knowledge statements that a majority of respondents from all countries indicated they performed are tested on the exam • There are four (4) separate exam forms – 1 each for Australia, Canada, the UK and the US • While the content tested is the same, the test questions may differ to reflect each country’s laws and customs • Exam questions and exam booklets are developed by currently practicing professionals

33. How Do I Study? • This baseline, generalist exam assess 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

34. How Do I Study? • Download “Getting to the Right Answer” from the CFRE website and review. • Review the CFRE Test Content Outline and compare your professional experience to what is covered • Identify your areas of strengths and weakness • Review texts or portions of texts on CFRE Resource Reading List that cover weaker areas • Form informal study groups with your colleagues

35. Regarding Prep / Review Courses • National standards for the operation of certification programmes prohibit the organisation 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 programmes will help support your overall knowledge base, helping you do well on the 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

36. Timeline After the Exam • At testing center, candidates will receive immediate Pass/Fail determination • 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

37. 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 written application • Must apply for and be granted recertification in order to continue using the CFRE • No exam is required for recertification

38. “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 Silver Spring, MD

39. CFRE Programme Statistics • 76% of first-time test takers are successful • Total of current CFREs - 4,755 • 591 in Canada • 124 outside of North America • Recertification rate in 2005 - 81% vs. industry average of 50%

40. CFRE Programme Information • Download Word or PDF format application • www.cfre.org • Don’t hesitate to call with questions • 703 – 820 - 5555