The CFRE Application Process: Step by Step
Everything you want to know • Who is CFRE? • Certification process • What is certification? • CFRE examination • What distinguishes • How do I study? CFRE? • Online resources • Why pursue • Timeline after the exam professional • Recertification certification?
Who is CFRE? • Independent, non-profit certifying body • Only internationally recognised, accredited credential for fundraising professionals What is certification? • Certification assures the public that an individual demonstrates specific knowledge required of a practitioner at a certain level.
What distinguishes CFRE? • Candidates pledge to abide by: – International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising – Donor Bill of Rights – Local, regional, and national laws and regulations governing fundraising – CFRE International Accountability Standards
Why pursue CFRE certification? • Competence • Credibility • Career Advancement • Commitment • Recognition • Personal Satisfaction
How do I get Started?
Certification Process • Application • Accountability Standards • Examination • Recertification
The CFRE Application • Education • Professional Practice • Professional Performance • Code of Conduct
Education • 80 points required • Points must be earned within the past 5 years
Education Types of education • • Academic degrees • Can exceed the 5-year timeframe • Attending conferences, workshops, seminars • Presenting at conferences, workshops, seminars • Authoring articles or books • Service learning (up to 10 points) • Non-fundraising related courses (up to 10 points)
Education • Does My Education Course Qualify? • Is the content directly related to fundraising, as defined by the CFRE Test Content Outline? • Have I documented the exact amount of time spent in the class/conference session/seminar? • Was this a presentation related to my employment requirements?
Application Break!
Education Do’s and Don’ts • Do: List a few • Don’t: List more extra hours of hours for education. education than there are hours in the day.
Education Do’s and Don’ts Do: Spell out Don’t: List non- acronyms at least fundraising courses once in your as fundraising application. education.
Education Do’s and Don’ts Do: List Don’t: List presentations you presentations give at a made as part of conference—but your employment record them responsibilities or separately from consulting conference agreements. attendance.
Education Do’s and Don’ts Do: Understand Don’t: Think that the difference because a between academic continuing courses and education course is continuing educationally education. valuable to you that it is an academic course.
Professional Practice • 36 points required • 1 month employed = 1 point OR • 1 month working with a client = 1 point • At least 50% of full-time duties must be fundraising • Half-time employment qualifies if 100% of duties are directly related to fundraising
Application Break!
Professional Performance • 55 points required • Must have been during the past 5 years • May be earned through any combination of: • Management projects (5 points) • Communications projects (5 points) • Actual funds raised - 1 point = USD $25,000
Application Break!
Professional Performance Do’s and Don’ts Do: Understand that to Don’t: List single small count, a project must items as projects. have strategic intent, a start and end date, and significantly impact fundraising outcomes.
Professional Performance Do’s and Don’ts • Do: Make sure that Don’t: List volunteer each item you list items under Professional under Professional Performance. Performance matches an entry in Professional Practice.
General Application Advice Do: Update your Don’t: Enter items as application a little at a “TBD.” time.
General Application Advice Do: Review your Don’t: Guess. application one last time before submitting it.
Do contact CFRE International with questions!
Application Summary • Enter your Education, Professional Practice, and Professional Performance data • The application calculates your points for you • Don’t forget to select a testing window!
Application Summary • When you are ready to apply and have your application evaluated, pay and submit your application online. • Fees: US$875 regular, US$700 participating organisation member • $50 additional fee if paying by cheque • 10% of applications randomly selected for audit, please keep supporting documentation.
Application Break!
Certification Timeline 1. Complete and submit your application. 2. Your application is reviewed by CFRE staff. 3. Once your application is approved, receive approval to schedule your exam. 4. Make testing reservation with your selected testing centre. 5. Take exam at a convenient computer-based testing center of your choosing. 6. Receive score report upon completing the exam.
CFRE Examination • 200 multiple-choice questions • Developed by a committee of currently certified fundraising professionals working in conjunction with CFRE International’s professional testing agency partner • The exam is global and is the same no matter where in the world you test.
• Candidates take CFRE exam on a computer in a proctored testing centre • CFRE exam will be available during four “testing windows” each year. For 2018 the remaining testing windows are: • July 15 – September 15 • October 1 – November 30 • Thousands of testing centres available across North America and worldwide
How do I study? • 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.
Online Resources • Candidate Handbook • Test Content Outline • Resource Reading List • CFRE Testing Guide • Glossary of Fundraising Terms • Practice Exam ($59.95 for 30 days or $99.95 for 90 days unlimited usage)
Timeline after the exam Time What to Expect 1. As soon as you Immediately receive pass/fail finish the exam determination and score report on computer screen 2. Once testing Successful candidates: Email notification agency gives your of award from CFRE information to Unsuccessful candidates: Email with CFRE information about retaking exam (must wait 30 days to retake) 3. 15 days after Successful candidates receive official end of testing certification from CFRE in the mail window
Recertification • Once earned, you are required to recertify your CFRE every 3 years • To recertify, complete online application • No exam is required for recertification
Thank you! Questions? Lesley Phillips Certification Manager lphillips@cfre.org Paul Cavazos Certification Services Coordinator pcavazos@cfre.org Ashley Gatewood Marketing and Communications Manager agatewood@cfre.org CFRE International
Recommend
More recommend
