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1. Becoming a CFRE Why Becoming a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Should Be Your Next Personal and
Professional Goal
3. 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 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
4. 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 ones 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
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 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
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 candidates 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 countrys 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 candidates study plan should be as unique as that candidates 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
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
Dont hesitate to call with questions
703 820 - 5555