To CFRE or not CFRE, That is the Question

Spring 2008 CFRE Study Course

To CFRE or not is a question many fundraising professionals ask themselves at one time or another.  Certainly, in today’s marketplace, seasoned development professionals can advance in their careers without accreditation. There is, however, great value to the accreditation process as the credential endorses a candidate’s qualifications to a potential employer.  It is an internationally recognized baseline credential for fundraising professionals that attests to the recipient’s knowledge, skills and achievements.

The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) accreditation program challenges professionals to strengthen their overall knowledge base and skills.  Think about it…How many opportunities do you get during a week – or a year for that matter – to re-examine your knowledge of all aspects of fundraising? 

Does It Pay to Become Certified? In the  U.S., Certified Fund Raising Executives (CFRE) earn 17% more than their non-certified colleagues.  The average salary of CFRE certificants in the United States is $85,032 (statistics courtesy of the 5th Annual Compensation and Benefits Study conducted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) – January 2005).

Earning the CFRE demonstrates your desire to reach beyond day-to-day deadlines to reach the highest level of skill and ethical practice and demonstrates your commitment to professional and ethical standards. The Indiana Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals boasts one of the highest percentages of CFREs among its membership - currently there are 57 CFREs in the Indiana Chapter. Interested in joining the club?

You’ll need to complete the online application (www.cfre.org) by June 24, 2007 for the testing window of August 24 – September 15, 2007. The application works on a point system where candidates must meet the minimum point requirements in EACH category in order for their application to be approved.  The application requirements include:

• Education - 80 points minimum.  Candidates earn one (1) point for each one (1) hour of continuing education workshops, seminars, conferences you attended during the past five (5) years.  Points also awarded for academic degrees. 

• Professional Practice - 60 points (5 years) minimum.  Candidates earn one (1) point for each one (1) month of paid, professional experience as a member of a philanthropic fundraising staff or a consultant to a nonprofit during the most recent eight (8) years.  This allows for allowing for employment gaps.  A minimum of 50% of job duties must be directly related to generating philanthropic dollars.

• Professional Performance - 55 points minimum.  Candidates can earn points three ways: 1) Communications projects that have measurable outcomes that directly impacted the development function of the organization; 2)Management projects that had measurable outcomes that directly impacted the development function of the organization; or 3) Actual funds raised during the past five (5) years.

• Service - 55 points minimum.  Candidates earn points on a sliding scale – depending on the level of involvement - through participation in professional associations and/or community organizations (i.e., local church, youth groups, service clubs, professional organizations like AFP, etc.). Only service completed during the past five (5) years is applicable and need not be fundraising-related.

• Donor Bill of Rights and Accountability Standards Candidates must agree to adhere to the CFRE Donor Bill of Rights (PDF), as well as signing their agreement with CFRE International Accountability Standards.

If completing the CFRE application, sign up for the IC-AFP Study Group by contacting Paula J. Jenkins, CFRE, IC-APP Certification Chair at (317) 274-8807 or pj@iupui.edu. The cost for materials is $125 for members, $200 for non-members. Study sessions will be held weekly on Wednesday afternoons (3:30 – 5:30 p.m.) beginning on Wednesday, April 16 and ending on Wednesday, June 11. 95% off those who have participated in a chapter study group have passed the exam so you’ll want to improve your chances for CFRE success. We’ll look forward to you joining the club!