Policies

CFRE International Accountability Standards

Introduction

CFRE International serves the public by offering a certification program that recognizes fund raising professionals who are committed to the highest standards of ethical and professional practice in the philanthropic sector.  CFRE International establishes and administers a voluntary certification process based on current and valid standards that measure competency in the practice of philanthropic fund raising.

Because CFRE International is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the credentials awarded, the Board has adopted a set of accountability standards related to the certification process.  These standards exist to protect the public from those who would seek to misrepresent their qualifications or their status as credentialed practitioners.  All individuals applying to, or certified by, CFRE International must comply with these standards.

It is likely that most professionals certified by CFRE International will belong to one or more professional associations that have codes of ethics related to the profession and the practice of fund raising.  CFRE International Accountability Standards, in contrast, focus solely on actions and principles related to certification and the certification process.

However, in those instances wherein:

1. an individual holding the CFRE credential is disciplined or sanctioned for violation of the Code of Ethics or Standards of Practice of his or her professional association, or
2. any organization involved in or connected to the profession, including regulatory agencies, takes action against the individual for reasons associated with professional misconduct, malfeasance, or unethical behavior

then CFRE International will consider taking action. CFRE International is most likely to take action when an individual's action clearly violates the integrity of the profession and/or universally accepted values and standards for the profession. In all such instances, an individual who violates a code of ethics that was signed voluntarily has breached the CFRE core values of honesty and integrity.

Preamble

The CFRE Professional Certification Board, through the certification process, promotes the integrity and quality of the fund-raising profession.  The CFRE Board  also endorses the Donor Bill of Rights and encourages all Certified Fund Raising Executives (CFRE) to do the same.

Accountability Standards

As an applicant for certification or recertification from International, I submit that I subscribe to and am in compliance with the following accountabilty standards:

1. All information on my application for certification/recertification is accurate, truthful, and complete.
2. I will not make any statements concerning my certification status which are or which could be construed to be false or misleading.  I will correct any such misstatements immediately.
3. I will protect the CFRE Professional Certification Board's federal and/or international trademarks and use the CFRE designation only in the manner permitted by the CFRE Board.  In addition, I will report to the CFRE Board any instances of misuse of the CFRE credential of which I become aware.
4. I will not transmit information regarding examination questions in any form.  Nor, will I accept or receive information regarding exam questions from any source other than the CFRE Program itself.
5. I will comply with all ethical and professional standards adopted by those professional organizations in which I hold membership.

I understand that violation of any of these accountability standards subjects me to the revocation of my certification credential and to possible legal action.  I also understand that if my actions include behavior that is inconsistent with the integrity of the profession, I may also be subject to revocation of my certification credential.  

I have read and understand these Accountability Standards of CFRE International and agree to be bound by them.