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TO CERTIFY OR NOT TO CERTIFY – KEYS TO BUILDING CREDIBILITY

Tim Bynum, CFRE

Director of Development

West Texas A&M University

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SLIDESHARE.NET/TIMBYNUMCFRE

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The Issue

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Fundraiser vs. Donor

Stereotypical Fundraiser

• Young• 41% are under the age of 30

• Recent Graduate• Inexperienced

• Entry Level• Avg. fundraiser under 30 has

been at their most recent job 1.6 years

Stereotypical Donor

• Well known• Highly successful• Wealthy• Not young

• Baby Boomers (50-68)• 43% of all individual giving

• Elderly (over age 68)• 27% of all individual giving

• Plugged in/Connected

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The Good News• The reason a stereotypical donor develops a relationship

with a stereotypical fundraiser has ALMOST nothing to do with the fundraiser and everything to do with the cause that they both are passionate about.

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Nature of the Relationship• Institution first• You’re the fundraiser, they’re the prospective donor• You’re not out to be their friend…• In many cases, you are a facilitator of other relationships

for the Donor

• RETHINK THE ASK!• Everything you were told about when and how to request a gift is

wrong?• Currents – February ‘14

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Why is your role important?

Regardless of the nature of the relationship, your institution has entrusted you with the management of it.

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How do I…???• Overcome built-in barriers in a relationship driven field?

• Build/Earn Trust• Be Dependable

• Establish Credibility• Demonstrate Knowledge

• Increase your stock• Be active at your institution and in your community

• Be Interesting• Developing personally is critical to your professional success

• Cultivate Partners• A donor’s connection to the institution cannot stop with you

• Follow up and follow through

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CERTIFICATION

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What Distinguishes CFRE?• Certification Requires:

• Fundraising Experience• Continuing Education• Demonstrated Fundraising Performance• Community Service

• Candidates adhere to the International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising, Donor Bill of Rights, and CFRE International’s Accountability Standards

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CFRE Quick Facts

• Over 5,700 certificants worldwide• 322 in Texas as of February 2014• 69% of certificants are female• 31% of certificants are male• 25% of certificants work in education

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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.

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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.

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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 organization and must demonstrate this throughout their certification.

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CFRE Certificants Engage in Community Service

• Certificants are personally and professionally invested in their community. Through participation in professional associations and/or community organizations (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.

• 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 program 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 indicates your willingness to invest in your own professional development.

• 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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Really, why do this???

• In the U.S., CFRE certificants earn nearly $22,000 more than their non-certified colleagues

• Figures courtesy of the 2013 Compenation and Benefits Study by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)

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Certification Process

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

• Examination – a standardized, multiple-choice exam of 200 questions

• Accountability Standards – promoting integrity, ethical behavior 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 the past 5 years

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Professional Practice Requirements• 60 points required (1 month = 1 point)

• Must document 5 years of full-time, paid professional experience in fundraising during the past 8 years

• At least 50% of duties must be directly related to fundraising – this can include research and grant writing

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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

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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 organization • 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 “My CFRE”, 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 documented enough points.

• When you are ready to apply and have your application evaluated, submit your application online to CFRE International.

• Creating an online account is free. You pay application and testing fees only when you submit your 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 schedule an exam appointment 30 days prior to exam OR receive request for additional information.

• Make personal testing reservation online.

• Write exam at a convenient computer-based testing center of your choosing.

• Receive preliminary scores upon completing the exam.

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CFRE Examination• 200 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

• The exam is global and is the same no matter where in the world you test.

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Exam Content• Prospective and Current Donor Research (28 items – 16%)

• Securing the Gift (34 items – 19%)

• Relationship Building (48 items – 27%)

• Volunteer Involvement (14 items – 8%)

• Leadership and Management (32 items – 18%)

• Ethics and Accountability (19 items – 11%)

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Exam Cost

2014 Fees

• $849 Standard Fee• $680 Participating Member (ex. AFP)

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How to Prepare• Utilize resources at cfre.org

• Test content outline• Resource Reading List• Sample texts from the test

• AFP’s CFRE Review Course!!!• Austin, TX : June 9-10, 2014

• Member $425, Non-Member $525• Hurst, TX : June 11-12, 2014

• Member $390, Non-Member $490• afpnet.org

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QUESTIONS