Ripple Effect: Amplifying Community Impact with CFRE

with Kenya Roberts, CFRE | Georgia, USA

With more than 20 years of nonprofit development work, most of which with faith-based organizations, Kenya Roberts, CFRE, obtained CFRE certification in 2024. We spoke with Kenya to learn more about her motivations to achieve the certification and how it’s impacted her career, community, and organization she serves.

Committing to Excellence

I decided to pursue CFRE certification to solidify my deep commitment to excellence, ethical practices, and compassionate leadership in the fundraising profession. Fundraising is so much more than securing donations; it’s about nurturing authentic relationships, inspiring trust, and creating sustainable, impactful solutions for the critical needs of our communities. The CFRE represents the gold standard in our field, demonstrating my unwavering dedication to personal growth, professional integrity, and accountability.

It has enhanced my ability to lead with vision and purpose. It has equipped me with advanced knowledge, innovative strategies, and practical tools to guide my organization toward more successful campaigns and foster deeper connections with donors, colleagues, and stakeholders. It’s about creating a ripple effect, empowering everyone involved to contribute meaningfully to achieve our shared goals.

Career Growth & Recognition

Even with years of experience in fundraising, I struggled with impostor syndrome before earning my CFRE. Gaining the credential was more than a professional milestone; it shifted my mindset. It validated the knowledge I had built through years of on-the-ground work and gave me the confidence to lead in bigger, more strategic ways.

Earning my CFRE unlocked a deeper level of confidence and influence. It gave me the validation I needed to step into spaces where my voice and the stories of the communities I represent could be amplified. That ripple effect shows up in big ways: through major gifts, growing community partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of fundraisers. But more than anything, it’s about impact. The CFRE empowered me to mobilize resources that now support hundreds of thousands of women and families — helping them thrive, not just survive.

Turning Knowledge into Real-World Results

After earning my CFRE, I led a special Day of Giving appeal that resulted in the second-largest amount raised since the campaign’s inception. This achievement was made possible by applying the principles and strategies I gained through the certification process, focusing on donor-centric approaches and data-driven planning.

For this campaign, I spearheaded a multi-channel outreach strategy that combined personalized emails, impactful social media storytelling, and peer-to-peer advocacy. Highlighting real stories of individuals whose lives had been transformed by our organization’s work emphasized the tangible difference each donation could make. The result was an incredible $425,000, significantly surpassing post-pandemic fundraising records! 

The funds we raised fueled the core of our mission — advancing women’s leadership, social justice advocacy, and programs for children and youth. It helped sustain critical initiatives, from training and equipping women leaders at the grassroots level to supporting racial and economic justice programs that directly impact underserved communities. Every dollar raised helps amplify voices that have too often been silenced and extends the reach of our movement across generations.

I now sit on the board at Reflections of Trinity, where I’ve played a central role in shaping our strategic plan, especially around diversifying funding sources during these uncertain economic times. That shift allows us to better support families in crisis by providing essentials like food and access to critical benefits.

Invest in Yourself While Transforming Lives

Earning my CFRE hasn’t just elevated my career, it’s expanded my capacity to serve, lead, and make a meaningful impact. It gave me the expertise to craft a compelling message, mobilize donors effectively, and build confidence among stakeholders. I even received a raise, which affirmed the value of this certification. It demonstrated my enhanced expertise, positioning me as a trusted leader in the field.

If you’re considering becoming a CFRE, focus on the long-term benefits for your career and the communities you serve. CFRE is more than a credential, it’s a recognition of your commitment to ethical fundraising, professional growth, and making a meaningful impact. Investing in yourself and your career is always worth it, and the ripple effect of your achievement can transform the lives of others for years to come.