Cut and paste the text in the sample email below to share with your employer 10 ways a CFRE strengthens the fundraising team and how they can support you in attaining this professional milestone.
___________________________________________________________________
Dear [Name of person who makes training decisions],
I have been considering effective ways to advance our organization and would like to speak with you about earning my Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential. For more than 40 years, the CFRE has enabled fundraising professionals to demonstrate their mastery of ethical, best-practice fundraising principles.
With fundraising changing rapidly and much uncertainty around 2023, I believe there has never been a better time for me to fortify my fundraising knowledge to help our organization soar over barriers. When it comes to foundation and major donor conversations, having a CFRE on our team shows a commitment to professionalism in all aspects of our fundraising work.
Below is information on how having a CFRE on the team will enable our organization to keep moving forward. I hope you will take my request into consideration.
If you would like to set up a time to speak more in-depth, I would be happy to do so.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
How having a CFRE on our team benefits our organization
(and easy ways to support me on my CFRE journey)
1. Having a professional certification proves I have the knowledge to put industry best practices into action for our organization. Achievement of the CFRE credential elevates not only the employee but the entire organization.
2. Having a CFRE on the team shows the world we take pride in how we approach fundraising and our organization is aligned with current best practices.
3. When fundraising staff have their CFRE credential, it provides donors, grant makers, board members, colleagues, and other stakeholders additional proof that our dedication to ethics and professionalism in fundraising is unwavering.
4. The certification process is rigorous, requiring applicants to fortify their skills to bring the highest value to our team. When leadership decides how to allocate funds dedicated to professional development, the CFRE is a wise investment because it helps staff strengthen their professional skill set (which many achieve while studying for the CFRE Exam). This helps ensure we are basing our fundraising on proven methods, not hunches or outdated tactics.
5. Every CFRE makes a formal pledge to agree to uphold the the Donor Bill of Rights, further demonstrating both the fundraising professional’s commitment to best practices and ethical, donor-centric fundraising.
6. Every person who passes the CFRE Exam demonstrates their dedication to best practices in transparency and honest, strategic, and meaningful fundraising. The CFRE Exam has 200 questions across six key fundraising Knowledge Domains.
7. Fundraising staff who become CFREs have access to the CFREs Only section of the online community, CFRE Central. This is an active community where CFREs turn to one another with questions and advice. Being able to tap into this global knowledge bank gives us new perspectives and helps us learn from our peers.
8. In addition to providing funds for CFRE initial certification, many organizations adopt a policy that anyone seeking the certification be given the day off before the exam (and on exam day). Organizations want to ensure the test-taker’s mind is clear going into the exam. Since having a CFRE on the team benefits the full organization, giving the test-taker the space and time to study benefits everyone while ensuring this important investment is well spent.
9. Employers can give time, space, and access to Zoom where CFRE candidates can host and or/attend CFRE study groups. What the CFRE candidate learns in study sessions can be implemented straightaway in their day-to-day work, helping fundraising teams infuse their tactics and strategy with fresh thinking.
10. Employers may also purchase books or study guides to aid staff in preparing for the CFRE. CFRE preparation books will become property of the workplace and made available for others on the team so everyone can continually grow and learn.
