1. Advanced Certified
Fundraising
Executive
ACFRE

2. About the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) Program

3. Timing  Two years to complete
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Timing
 Two years to complete
 Calendar begins when application accepted
 Take written exam within one year

4. Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE)
ACFRE Credential Conferred
Oral Peer Review Completed
Oral Peer Review Scheduled with $400 Payment
Written Exam Passed
Written Exam Taken with $400 Payment
Portfolio Accepted
Portfolio Submitted with $400 Payment
Application Approved: Candidate’s two-year “calendar” starts
Application Submitted with $400 Payment

5. Cost  $400 per component  Any component re-do fee = $400
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Cost
 $400 per component
 Any component re-do fee = $400

6. Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
ACFRE Process “Ifs”
 Portfolio, Written Exam & Oral Review may each be attempted 3 times
 One, one-year extension may be requested at any time

7. Component 1: Application
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Component 1: Application
Application documents eligibility:
Employment / Experience
Education
Service to the profession / sector
Peer Recommendation
Understanding of Ethics

8. Eligibility Works in the profession Holds CFRE, FAHP, IADF
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Eligibility
Works in the profession
Holds CFRE, FAHP, IADF
Adherence to the AFP Code of Ethics
10 years full-time experience in fundraising or 15 years professional experience
BA / BS or additional five years of full-time experience in fundraising

9. More Eligibility Within previous five years, 15 hours of:
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
More Eligibility
Within previous five years, 15 hours of:
-- Senior-level management courses
-- Senior-level leadership courses
Within previous five years, 10 hours of:
-- Senior-level ethics courses

10. Still More Eligibility
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Still More Eligibility
Member of field-related professional organization
Volunteer service to not-for-profit sector
Note: ALL eligibility requirements must be met before submitting application

11. Component 2: Portfolio Materials developed by candidate
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Component 2: Portfolio
Materials developed by candidate
Planning Document
Case Statement
Professional Competencies (Two each):
Writing; Creativity; Management; Teaching/Training

12. Portfolio Single three-ring binder, max. 3” wide
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Portfolio
Single three-ring binder, max. 3” wide
Audio/video o.k. if it fits in 3” binder
Portfolio Piece ID Form
Summarizes development, use, results, & ethical implications

13. Portfolio Application approved before submitting Portfolio
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Portfolio
Application approved before submitting Portfolio
May resubmit Portfolio three times

14. Portfolio Each portfolio is judged on
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Portfolio
Each portfolio is judged on
its own merits, without regard to
apparent or intentional similarity to
that of any other candidate.

15. Component 3: Written Examination
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Component 3: Written Examination
Prospect Identification
Cultivation
Solicitation
Recognition
Gift Management
Management
Advancing Philanthropy
Advancing the Profession

16. Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Written Examination
Application approved and Portfolio approved; register for exam
Can take exam up to three times
Can arrange test location / date

17. Component 4: Oral Peer Review
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Component 4: Oral Peer Review
Three-hour oral exam administered by a three-member panel of ACFREs
Held at IHQ, International Conference, or Leadership Academy

18. Oral Review Four General Questions - 30 minutes prep time
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Oral Review
Four General Questions
- 30 minutes prep time
Four Specialty questions – no prep time
- Two questions in each of two areas selected by the candidate

19. Oral Review One Capstone Question demonstrating Mastery in: Management
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Oral Review
One Capstone Question demonstrating Mastery in:
Management
Leadership principles
Problem-solving skills and Planning
Ethics

20. Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Oral Review
Knowledge / understanding of management & leadership principles
Problem-solving skills and Ethics
Understanding of development process (planning, implementation, evaluation)
Ability to organize thoughts and articulate

21. Oral Review Expected responses: Global Specific Experiential
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Oral Review
Expected responses:
Global
Specific
Experiential
Theoretically-based

22. Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Oral Review
Understanding of fundraising ethics and ethical decision-making, based on AFP Code of Ethics
Failure to meet this standard at any time
during Oral Review will result in
an automatic “fail”

23. Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Oral Review
Complete Application, Portfolio and Exam components then register for Oral Review
May attempt Oral Review three times

24. Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE)
ACFRE Credential Conferred
Oral Peer Review Completed
Oral Peer Review Scheduled with $400 Payment
Written Exam Passed
Written Exam Taken with $400 Payment
Portfolio Accepted
Portfolio Submitted with $400 Payment
Application Approved: Candidate’s two-year “calendar” starts
Application Submitted with $400 Payment

25. Help? Info / Application on AFP website ACFRE Program Staff:
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Help?
Info / Application on AFP website
ACFRE Program Staff:
Cathy Williams, Ph.D. –
Request ACFRE Mentor

26. How do I start? Identify when you want to finish
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
How do I start?
Identify when you want to finish
Complete first page of Application
Review your professional education over past five years…identify gaps.

27. Why start today? I like to be among the very, very top…
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
Why start today?
I like to be among the very, very top…
I like a challenge…
I like to learn…
I like to lead…
Conference is a great place for pre-approved education credits…

28. By achieving the ACFRE You will gain insight, confidence, and
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
By achieving the ACFRE
You will gain insight, confidence, and
professional and personal stature
that will be with you in every endeavor
for the rest of your life.

29. joining the ranks of the ACFRE
Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive
(ACFRE)
GOOD LUCK
and
Here’s to each of you
joining the ranks of the ACFRE

30. Thank you