Becoming a CFRE

1
Becoming a CFRE

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

2
Everything You Wanted To Know

• Importance of certification
• Certification vs. certificate program
• Facts about CFRE International
• CFRE exams
• Exam question development
• CFRE body of knowledge (test specifications)
• Recertification

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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

4
What is Certification?

• Certification assures the public that an
  individual demonstrates specific knowledge
  required of a practitioner at a certain level.
• Academic degrees and educational certificates do
  not certify demonstrated knowledge of
  professional practitioners.
• Typically, certification is more strenuous than
  licensure.

5
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

6
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

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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.

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Facts About CFRE International

• CFRE International is an independent,
  internationally recognized certifying body for
  the fundraising profession. CFRE certification
  requires professionals to demonstrate their
  expertise in the core principles of fundraising
  practice and the application of those principles.
  
• CFRE International was created by AHP and AFP as
  a separate but affiliated organization to ensure
  credibility of the exam and designation
  separation of the educational bodies (AFP and
  AHP) from the credentialing body (CFRE
  International).

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CFRE International Who We Are

• An independent agency endorsed by 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

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Who Are the Participating Organisations?

• Across North America
• Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP)
• Association of Christian Development
  Professionals (ACDP)
• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
• Association of Lutheran Development Executives
  (ALDE)
• Association of Philanthropic Counsel (APC)
• Canadian Association of Gift PlannersAssociation
  canadienne des professionnels en dons planfies
  (CAGPACPDP)
• Council for Resource Development (CRD)
• The Giving Institute (formerly AAFRC)
• International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC)
• North American YMCA Development Organisation
  (NAYDO)

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Who Are the Participating Organisations?

• In the United Kingdom
• Association of Fundraising Consultants (AFC)
• Institute of Development Professionals in
  Education (IDPE)
• In Australasia
• Association of Development and Alumni
  Professionals in Education (ADAPE) 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)

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Is Fundraising a Profession?

• Most of us insist so!
• Most professions possess the following
• Recognised body of knowledge
• Continuing education for professionals
• Code of ethics
• Research studying the profession
• Certification for practitioners in the profession

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Recognised Body of Knowledge

• CFRE International conducts a Job Task Analysis
  every five years
• last done in 2003 is currently underway in 2009
• International study of fundraising practice
  across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United
  Kingdom and the United States
• 2,500 professionals surveyed in 2003
• Study in 2003 had a 52 response rate

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Recognised Body of Knowledge

• This is a large survey listing all the
  fundraising duties and all the knowledge which
  might be required to be a fundraiser.
  Respondents are asked
• which fundraising tasks they perform
• how frequently they perform them and
• how critical those tasks and knowledge areas are
  to fundraising
• Result is the Core Body of Knowledge required to
  be an effective fundraising professional

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Other Hallmarks of a Profession

• Continuing education for professionals (offered
  by Participating Organisations, college and
  universities)
• Code of ethics (offered by Participating
  Organisations)
• Research studying the profession
• These are provided by any number of professional
  associations to their members
• Certification of professionals provided by CFRE
  International

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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

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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.

18
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

19
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.

20
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.

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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.

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Why Pursue Professional Certification?

• 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

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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.

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Why Pursue Professional Certification?

• 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

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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.

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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. 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.

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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 6h Annual
  Compensation and Benefits Study conducted by the
  Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
  January 2007

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Certification Process

• Application - a written application with a
  point-system to demonstrate your experience now
  online
• 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

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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

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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

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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 this can include research and
  grant proposal writing

32
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

33
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

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The Online Application

• Go to www.cfre.org, click on Apply Now, and use
  your email and a password of your choosing to
  create a secure, online account
• Enter your data as you go throughout the form.
  The system allows you to log in and out of the
  form, saving information as you go.
• The form calculates your required points and
  turns green when you have entered enough data
• When you are ready to apply and have your
  application evaluated, you must PRINT, SIGN and
  MAIL your application to CFRE International
• Creating an online account is free. You only pay
  application and testing fees when you are ready
  to submit

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The Online Application
You create your own log in and password
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The Online Application
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The Online Application
Keeps a running total o f your points as
entered- turns green when you enough
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The Online Application
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The Online Application
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Certification Timeline

• Go online and complete your application
  www.cfre.org
• Submit application at least 60 days prior to
  start of exam testing window
• Receive Authorization to Test Letter to take exam
  30 days prior to exam OR receive request for
  additional information
• Make personal testing reservation on-line
• Write exam at a convenient computer-based testing
  center of your choosing
• Receive preliminary scores upon completing the
  exam

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Computer-Based Testing

• Candidates 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 2009
• March 6 - 28
• June 5 - 27
• August 28 September 19
• October 30 November 21
• 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

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Scheduling Your Appointment
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Scheduling Your Appointment
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Scheduling Your Appointment
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Scheduling Your Appointment
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Computer-Based Testing

• 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

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A Look at a CBT Center
Individual testing stations
Security cameras
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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

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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)

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How CFRE Exam is Developed

• Core Body of Knowledge identified through
  detailed survey called a job analysis
• Results of survey directly determine content of
  exam
• CFRE certificants write exam questions based on
  current practice and literature
• Exam reviewed by professional testing agency and
  pre-tested through current candidates

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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 five (5) separate exam forms 1 each
  for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and
  the US
• While the content tested is the same, 15 of test
  questions may differ to reflect each countrys
  laws and customs
• Exam questions and exam booklets are developed by
  currently practicing professionals

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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

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How Do I Study?

• Take the CFRE On-Line Study Wizard and compare
  your professional experience to what is covered
• Identify your personal areas of strengths and
  weakness
• Review texts or portions of texts recommended by
  the CFRE Study Wizard from the CFRE Resource
  Reading List that cover weaker areas
• Form informal study groups with your colleagues

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CFRE Study Wizard
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Regarding Prep / Review Courses

• International 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

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Timeline After the Exam

• At testing center, candidates will receive
  immediate Pass/Fail determination via a printout
  at the center
• 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

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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

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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. Im glad I went through the
process and would do it all over again! -
Ken Turpen, CFRE Charlotte, NC
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CFRE Programme Statistics

• 76 of first-time test takers are successful
• Total of current CFREs 5,523
• Recertification rate
• 81 vs. industry average of 50

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CFRE Programme Information

• NEW! Apply on-line at www.cfre.org
• New application allows you to build and store
  your application information as you go
• Stores application on-line until you are ready to
  apply. There is no obligation to pay or test
  when you create an online application only when
  you actually submit.
• Calculates points for you
• Dont hesitate to call with questions
• 1 703 820 - 5555