25th Anniversary of Fundraising Certification
Celebrating the establishment and evolution of voluntary certification for fundraisers
Overview
For one year - beginning October 2006 and ending September 2007 - the profession will celebrate the establishment and evolution of voluntary certification for fundraisers. Goals of the celebration include:
- Recognising the founders of voluntary certification for fundraisers, the Association of FundraisingProfessionals (AFP) and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP).
- Commemorating the establishment of the joint certification programme (the CFRE) in 1996 and recognising its five founding partners (Association for Healthcare Philanthropy - AHP; Association of Fundraising Professionals - AFP; Association of Lutheran Development Executives - ALDE; Council for Resource Development - CRD; and National Catholic Development Council - NCDC).
- Celebrating the independence of CFRE International, creating an autonomous organisation for baseline certification.
- Celebrating the globalisation of the credential, the only internationally recognised professional credential for fundraising executives.
- Recognising the individuals who have led the voluntary certification movement for the fundraising profession including certificants, board members, and other volunteers
- Recognising CFRE Participating Organisations for their support of voluntary certification and CFRE International.
- Looking to the future, the vision for voluntary certification.
CFRE International is coordinating the celebration. A comprehensive Anniversary Plan will focus on outreach to the charitable sector, and will include activities for certificants and organisations, support materials and guidelines, and more.
The 25th Anniversary Planning Committee is co-chaired by Tim Burchill, CFRE, Executive Director of the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership at Saint Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota, USA; and Simone P. Joyaux, ACFRE, Joyaux Associates, Rhode Island, USA.
Voluntary certification for fundraising professionals
In the early 1980s two leading professional associations started voluntary certification for fundraising professionals: The Association of Fundraising Professionals (then called the National Society of Fundraising Executives) launched its certification programme in 1981. In 1983, the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy began certification for healthcare fundraisers. Later, both organisations started advanced certification programmes.
In 1996, AFP and AHP merged their baseline certification programmes, recognising that a single baseline certification would best serve the public and the sector. At that time, 3 other professional associations – ALDE, CRD, and NCDC – joined the CFRE programme.
In 2001, the CFRE programme became an independent, autonomous corporation, CFRE International. The CFRE is the only internationally recognisedprofessional credential for fundraising executives.
What is certification and why does it matter?
Certification assures the public that an individual demonstrates specific knowledge required of a practitioner at a certain level. Only certification truly assures the public.
Certification establishes the minimal levels of knowledge through a comprehensive job analysis, surveying practitioners in the field. Certification then tests this knowledge and requires documentation of performance. Certification also requires continuing education and regular re-certification. Nothing else works as well.
Academic degrees and educational certificates do not certify demonstrated knowledge of professional practices. Licensure is a mandatory governmental requirement necessary for individuals to practice in a particular profession. Licensure is often found to be less strenuous than voluntary certification because the license establishes minimal levels of competency to practice.
It is said that a democratic society requires regulation to protect its citizens. While governmental regulation is expected, it is not the best choice for every situation. Government regulation is typically more expensive, more rigid, and less effective than self-regulation.
Standards for all types of certification are established both nationally and internationally. The best certification processes adhere to these independently established and monitored standards.
Value of the charitable sector
Around the world, philanthropy flourishes. Voluntary action for the common good nurtures strong communities and changes lives. Millions of nonprofit non-governmental organisations (NGOs) serve hundreds of millions of people.
The charitable sector is responsible for some of the greatest societal advances and protections. The sector is defined as an essential component of democracy and a civil society.
However, the sector’s effectiveness requires independence. And the sector’s success depends upon its integrity and credibility.
Credibility of the nonprofit / NGO sector
While the charitable sector garners significant respect, the sector also receives intense scrutiny. Accountability and transparency are paramount. Less-than-stellar performance and scandal produce concern, skepticism, and suspicion. Decreasing credibility affects volunteerism and charitable contributions. Lack of accountability and transparency causes governmental intervention. Often, governmental intervention is ill-informed and does not adequately address the issue.
Looking Towards the Future
Competency. Experience. Accountability. Ethics. These are concerns of the public, government and regulatory agencies, employers, and donors and volunteers.
Voluntary certification helps provide that assurance. Certification is the best way to make a statement of commitment to both character and performance.
As a steward of the public trust, 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.
What is the vision of CFRE International? To be the premier global provider of professional certification for the proficiency and practice in fundraising – and to position the CFRE as the primary credential for career fundraisers, for practitioner, for employers, and the public.
The history of fundraising certification provides our foundation for the future. Twenty-five years of progress assures the commitment and investment for our vision. The sector, the public, and the government demand our success.
