About the CFRE International Item Writing Corps
The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE®) certification is accredited under the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 standard for personnel certification programs by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). The standard mandates compliance with rigorous best practices intended to ensure the integrity, quality, and legal defensibility of a professional certification program. One of those standards includes empaneling qualified volunteer stakeholders who contribute to CFRE International exam development and maintenance processes.
The CFRE International Item Writing Corps are volunteers who contribute to the CFRE examination development and maintenance processes by using their fundraising knowledge and experience to develop and review new CFRE exam questions that reflect current industry best practices. They are expected to:
- Develop new CFRE Exam items that reflect current standards of practice.
- Review and edit items within the CFRE Exam item bank (the full collection of pre-test and tested exam items).
- Engage in item-related, exam development, or maintenance work, as needed.
Term
One year (January through December), with onboarding scheduled during the two months before each term’s start date. To ensure continuity, Item Writing Corps members shall be eligible to serve up to six (6) consecutive terms.
Time Commitment & Training
Approximately 30 hours per year. The Item Writing Corps shall meet virtually, as needed, to conduct item writing activities.
CFRE International will conduct virtual onboarding and training to prepare item writers. Training is mandatory. Item writers will also receive feedback throughout their term.
Qualifications
To be considered to serve on a committee, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- be actively certified as a CFRE.
- currently work in a full-time fundraising role.
- have no current involvement in developing or selling CFRE exam preparation content, seminars, or workshops.
Expectations
Item Writing Corps members are expected to:
- Miss no more than two (2) virtual meetings annually.
- Submit all item-related independent assignments by stated deadlines.
- Complete all item-related independent assignments. An assignment will be considered complete if at least 50% of the goal number of items are completed.
- Respond to item-related and exam development-related requests from CFRE staff within two business days.
If an Item Writing Corps member cannot meet the above requirements, that member may be removed.
Confidentiality, Impartiality, & Non-Disclosure
Item Writing Corps members are required annually to review and sign confidentiality, impartiality, and non-disclosure agreements that satisfy ISO 17204 and the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) personnel certification.
During a term of service, and for two (2) years thereafter, Item Writing Corps members are prohibited from participating in any manner in any activity which prepares or claims to prepare candidates to take the CFRE Examination, including, but not limited to:
- offering or participating in a course or Program which claims to prepare individuals for the CFRE Exam; or
- writing or contributing to a publication or course which claims to prepare candidates for the CFRE Exam; or
- holding oneself out as an individual with exclusive or inside knowledge of the examination content because of his/her role as an Item Writing Corps member.
Travel
Travel is not required, nor covered by CFRE International.
Selection Process
CFRE International will open recruitment for Item Writing Corps members in July of each year. Recruitment will last approximately one month. If you wish to volunteer, please submit your application during this time. To ensure appropriate representation and address current examination needs/evolving field demands, CFRE International will carefully review applications and select a diverse panel of Item Writers. Selection criteria will include, but are not limited to:
- Demographics
- Geography
- Experience
- Employment
- Education
- Industry sector
Once CFRE International finalizes the Item Writing Corps selections, all applicants will be notified via email of their application status.
