9,843. That's how many emails I sent during the 310 days that I was a part of the Center for Nonprofit Management. Yikes.

Too many social networking sites, so I just got a ping.fm account to update them all at once. We'll see how this works.

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Program Receives Distinguished NCCA Accreditation

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Program Receives Distinguished NCCA Accreditation

4 May 2009 (Alexandria, VA) -- The Certified Fund Raising Executive International Credentialing Board (CFRE International) is proud to announce the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) program has been granted accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

NCCA, the accrediting arm of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), grants accreditation to a select group of organizations that demonstrate compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. The accreditation process includes a comprehensive and independent expert analysis of the certification program against the highest industry standards.

"While CFRE International has always adhered to quality standards in certification, accreditation by NCCA serves as an indicator to the nonprofit sector, our donors, and other stakeholders that the CFRE is a psychometrically sound and legally defensible certification exam. It is a reliable tool for measuring that a fundraising professional has mastered the set of knowledge, skills and abilities to be an effective fundraiser," said Susan Davies Goepp, CFRE, chair of CFRE International's Board of Directors.

Morgean Hirt, ACA, President and CEO added, "We are pleased with this recent decision. Hundreds of volunteers have been involved with the development of the CFRE program and continue to work tirelessly to assure the credential reflects current practice and serves as a global standard. NCCA accreditation validates all their time and effort."

NCCA uses a peer review process to establish accreditation standards; evaluate compliance with the standards; recognize organizations/programs which demonstrate compliance; and serve as a resource on quality certification. Certification organizations that submit their programs for accreditation are evaluated based on the process and products, not the content, and are therefore applicable to all professions and industries. NCCA accreditation can take more than a year to achieve. CFRE international has been granted accreditation for five years, expiring in March 2014.

The purpose of NCCA accreditation is to provide the public and other stakeholders the means by which to identify certification programs that serve their competency assurance needs. NCCA Standards address the structure and governance of the certifying agency, the characteristics of the certification program, the information required to be available to applicants, certificants, and the public, and the recertification initiatives of the certifying agency.

Information about CFRE International, its certification programs, and a directory of certified fundraising professionals are available at http://www.cfre.org. Details about NCCA and its accreditation standards can be found at www.noca.org.

The Certified Fund Raising Executive International Credentialing Board (CFRE International) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization established in 2001. The mission of CFRE International is, as stewards of the public trust, to certify fundraising professionals who demonstrate the knowledge, skills and commitment to the highest standards of ethical and professional practice in serving the philanthropic sector.

CFRE International fulfills this mission by establishing and administering a voluntary certification process based on current and valid standards that measure competency in the practice of philanthropic fundraising. In furtherance of its mission, CFRE International promotes voluntary certification, in dialogue with government and other bodies globally, as the preferred alternative to licensure and/or government regulation.

Advice for Being a Fundraiser in a Recession: Start your own business?

Thanks to 79 Grant Writing Resources: Who'd Believe It? Forbes on Grant Writing for citing this interesting article from Forbes, that cites Katie Krueger, a grant writer who started her own grant-writing business when she found herelf unemployed:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/10/start-business-recession-leadership-careers_0210_business_basics.html

Grant Professionals Certification Institute

Interested in your CFRE?

Then you might also be interested in the Grant Professionals Certification Institute. GPCI -- pronounced "gypsy" -- is a certification that could really distinguish you in the market, where CFREs are becoming a little more common.

More info on GPCI:

Firm in its belief that certification should be done only within the most rigorous standards, the American Association of Grant Professionals (AAGP) formed an affiliated organization, the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI), charged with the task of developing and administering the field’s first psychometric certification program. Find more about the AAGP credentialing initiative on the AAGP web site.

See the Web site here:
http://grantcredential.org/

Career Advice: Preparing for a Fundraising Job Interview

New book on advancing your career in fundraising

Anyone interested in pursuing their CFRE is likely interested in advancing their career ... which likely means making a move to another organization (sadly, nonprofits do a terrible job at promoting from within or recognizing increased value of current staff).

The ideal time to make a transition to a new job is right after you've received your CFRE. Your newly minted recognition will be at its peak value, and your confidence will be at its highest -- a great time to interview.

Here are some great pieces of advice on Preparing for a Fundraising Job Interview, thanks to the Association of Fundraising Professionals:
http://www.afpnet.org/ka/ka-3.cfm?folder_id=2545&content_item_id=24731

[where: 75223]

Welcome to CFREPrep.com

CFREPrep.com is intended to complement the ongoing studies of fundraising executives who are preparing to take the exam to become a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). It will also serve as a refresher for those who are pursuing re-certification.

This is not intended as a replacement for the many exemplary CFRE Review Courses that are available, usually through the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

This blog is part of the FundVisor.org network of blogs.