A Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) is a professional credential for experienced fundraisers indicating their compliance and adherence to a code of ethics, competence, and service to the profession. The credential is applicable for all nonprofit sectors and is held by over 7800 individuals in 28 countries according to www.cfre.org.
I earned my CFRE certification in March of 2014 and have recertified every three years since. What I value most about CFRE International is the standardization of ethics around the world. Having fundraised in multiple countries over my career, I have learned that different cultures view fundraising and the role of philanthropy differently. Working across cultures alongside globally diverse donors has been one of my greatest joys. Learning about different cultural, ethical, and legal perspectives from around the world has enriched my own understanding of philanthropy and helped me build stronger teams and cases for support.
When I was first working in a school I wasn’t acquainted with CFRE. Most of our best practices came from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). CASE is a wonderful organization to work with peers in the education sector. The organization maintained a strong ethical standard and has since aligned with CFRE. I find inspiration in many places but often I tend to model new appeal strategies on what leading organizations are doing outside my immediate sector. When I first introduced designated giving to the school where I was working, that concept did not come from a peer school; it came from Doctors Without Borders. Creativity can come from anywhere. Having an organization, like CFRE, that spans sectors is important to standardize critical aspects of professional practice. One of the benefits of spanning different sectors is that you know you are grounded in the same foundational principles.
When I first became certified, several of my colleagues didn’t understand why I pursued the CFRE credential. It wasn’t seen as relevant for those in education. Now, ten years later, I can’t tell you how glad I am that I did. I’ve had several young fundraising professionals tell me they are interested in earning their CFRE and ask me if I think it is worth the work, I always tell them it is. The CFRE credential is not just a marker of expertise to current or prospective employers, it is a foundation that a fundraiser can always fall back on. It supports the rights of donors and establishes ethical best practices.
I was consulting with an organization that was looking to expand their financial model beyond membership revenue. The CEO asked if they could hire a fundraiser and pay them on commission, “absolutely not” was my answer. The CEO wasn’t trying to be offensive, he genuinely didn’t understand. I took the time to explain the role of a professional fundraiser in a nonprofit organization and shared the purpose and value of relationship building. I also talked about what I like to call “scorched earth fundraising.” The result of improper and premature donor solicitation. In the business world, revenue producing roles are often paid on commission, the notion of relationship building is different and transaction-based approaches are the norm. He listened to my rationale and thought about the long-term sustainability of his organization. When I backed up my position with an ethical argument, informed by a global credentialing body, it gave my “opinion” a lot more weight.
I have also worked with schools that have a globally diverse student body. Different cultures approach philanthropy in ways that are different from norms in the United States. Similarly, they have different perspectives on what philanthropy means and how it is used. It wasn’t uncommon to encounter families from other countries who were looking for some type of benefit for their child in exchange for making a philanthropic contribution – a single room, making the team, etc. My CFRE certification made it easier to navigate those conversations and easily fall back on the standard of ethics to articulate why quid pro quo is not appropriate in philanthropic relationships.
The certification process was developed with a similar approach to professional quality. Applicants must submit evidence of professional learning, professional performance, and employment in the field. Each applicant must also sit for an examination that tests their understanding of professional practice and ethical principles. There are online resources available to help you understand the material that is covered. As a hiring manager, I am partial to fundraising professionals who have either earned the credential or are pursuing their CFRE. As an organizational leader, I am always happy to work with a team member to build a professional development plan that helps them take this important step forward in their career.
In short, if you are thinking about becoming a CFRE I would encourage you to take the leap. It is a valuable credential that is becoming increasingly sought after in the fundraising profession. If you want to learn more, check out how to get started: https://www.cfre.org/certification/initial/
