Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the governing body of CFRE International.

Term: 3 years Time: ~80 hrs/year Travel: Two in-person board meetings required annualy, costs covered by CFRE International

About      Qualifications      Application Requirements      Selection Process & Timeline

About the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the governing body of CFRE International and actively promotes the objectives of the organization, operating in accordance with and administering and implementing the programs and policies established by the bylaws and strategic plan.

Board Directors are elected to serve by and are accountable to CFRE certification holders.

The Board is comprised of eleven (11) individuals. Ten (10) are currently certified fundraising professionals; one (1) is a member of the public at large.

Applications

Closed: Applications for the Board of Directors are currently closed.

Applications for the 2027-2029 term will open in June 2026.

Meet the 2026 Board of Directors

Responsibilities

Serving as a Board Director is an active leadership role that contributes to the overall governance and future direction of the organization, extending well beyond attending meetings. Board Directors are expected to contribute their expertise, exercise independent judgment, and actively participate in advancing the organization’s mission and long-term success. As a Board Director, you are not representing your philanthropic or organizational sector(s)—you are representing CFRE International.

Each Board Director is expected to:

  • Oversee strategy, financial stewardship, risk management, and organizational sustainability.
  • Shape policy, safeguard the integrity and reputation of the CFRE credential, and ensure the organization remains aligned with its mission and values.
  • Prepare, engage, and collaborate outside of scheduled meetings.
  • Attend four board meetings annually — two in-person (March and September) and two virtual (July and December). Attendance is vital for a board of this size. In-person board meetings are typically in the DC area, but can change from time to time. Board members are reimbursed for travel expenses.
  • Actively participate in strategic discussions and decision-making inside and outside of board meetings, including reading and preparing materials before Board meetings. 
  • Serve on committees and/or task forces as requested by the Board Chair.
  • Support stakeholder and partner relationships.
  • Provide CEO support and evaluation.
  • Actively promote the CFRE credential in their professional communities.

Qualifications

All CFRE certification holders in good standing are invited to submit nominations for consideration by the Committee on Directorship. Candidates may self-nominate or be nominated by another current CFRE certification holder. 

To be considered, all candidates must be currently certified as a CFRE in good standing and have recertified at least once. Individuals in their recertification grace period must first submit a completed recertification application before being considered. 

Preferred candidates will have familiarity with and experience participating as a volunteer in CFRE International activities and will be actively involved in promoting the credential.

Conflicts of Interest

CFRE Board Directors may not use their role for personal, family, or professional gain. They may not obtain for themselves, relatives, or friends a financial or material interest of any kind from their connection to CFRE International. Board Directors are expected to disclose conflicts of interest, real or perceived, as they arise.

Nomination Requirements

In June 2026, the CFRE International Committee on Directorship will begin accepting nominations for candidates to serve as members of the CFRE International Board of Directors for the 2027-2029 term.

The Committee on Directorship requires the following materials from all nominees:

  • Completion of the Board Candidacy Nomination form, including a skills self-assessment and a voluntary diversity self-identification section (all responses held confidentially).
  • A current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • A letter of intent that includes:
    • Your reasons for wanting to serve.
    • What you would contribute to CFRE International and the global fundraising profession.
  • Two letters of support from individuals at an organization where you served as a volunteer, an employer, and/or a former supervisor or colleague.
  • Three references from individuals who can speak to your professional experience.
  • If you are nominating someone on their behalf, please include a short letter explaining why you are nominating them.

No Barriers to Participation

In principle and practice, CFRE International values and seeks a diverse population of Board Directors. There shall be no barriers to full participation in the organization on the basis of gender identity, race, ethnicity, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, language, or socioeconomic status. All Board Directors shall be selected with due consideration to diversity in its broadest sense, including geographic, cultural, generational, professional, and experiential diversity.

Selection Process

During the 2026 election cycle, CFRE certificants will elect three (3) CFRE Board Directors.

The Committee on Directorship reviews all nominations using an integrated Board Composition Matrix that maps current Board Directors' skills and diversity dimensions, identifying gaps the new class of directors should address.

Evaluation Criteria

CFRE International is committed to building a board that reflects the full diversity of the global fundraising profession and the population it serves.

The Committee on Directorship evaluates candidates across two dimensions:

Skills & Expertise

  • Diversity and perspective
  • Finance/investments
  • Governance
  • Leadership
  • Legal
  • Organizational development
  • Risk management

Diversity & Representation

The Committee uses a board composition matrix aligned with the UN DEI framework. Representation factors include:

  • Geographic region (UN regional groupings) 
  • Gender identity 
  • Age range 
  • Racial or ethnic identity 
  • Primary professional language 
  • Disability status
  • Professional sector 

Timeline

  1. June

    Nomination period opens; initial rolling review

  2. July

    First-round Committee review, including determination on second-term renewals eligibility for sitting Board Directors

    Candidate interviews begin

  3. Aug

    Candidate interviews continue

    Final slate selected with rationale documented, tied to Board composition targets

  4. Sept

    Slate submitted to CFRE certification holders for ballot vote

  5. Dec

    Incoming Board Directors confirmed at Q4 Annual Meeting

    Incoming Board Directors complete  orientation