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.