Embracing the CFRE Adventure:

Until I stepped into the world of fundraising more than 10 years ago, I had no idea just how much it would shape my professional journey. With a passion for empowering non-profit organizations, I found myself immersed in the art of proposal writing and fundraising strategies. Little did I know that this path would lead me to a remarkable certification – one that holds the potential to greatly impact the trajectory of my career.

In July 2022, fueled by passion and determination, I embarked on a mission to empower civil society organizations with the skills they needed to thrive and create lasting impacts. I had just launched my astounding proposal writing course and penned the super-e-book ‘Basics of Fundraising’. The fundraising world was my oyster, and exciting things were on the horizon! My world of fundraising was about to take an exciting turn. In a serendipitous moment, I stumbled upon the CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) website – a venture that ignited a fire of excitement and motivation within me.

I leapt to venture into the world of CFRE and found myself on a transformative journey – a journey that pushed me to strive for excellence and embrace the power of continuous growth. Today, I am thrilled to share this journey with you, hoping to inspire and encourage professionals to explore the endless possibilities that lie ahead with CFRE certification.

Proton

Though not a walk in the park, the rewards of this transformative journey were worth every effort.

The application process required a meticulous review and compilation of my fundraising experiences and accomplishments. Under the education category, I earned points through various avenues such as continuing education, authoring, academic degrees, and service-learning, totaling a mandatory minimum of 80 points. Additionally, the professional practice aspect considered the number of years as a fundraising officer or consultant, with a minimum of 36 points required, and finally,  the performance category took into account actual funds raised, communication projects, and management projects, necessitating a minimum of 55 points.

In true Kenyan spirit, just one day before the application cycle deadline, I submitted my entry. While at it, I came across information about an opportunity to receive a 20% discount on the exam fee through a KAFP (Kenyan Association of Fundraising Professionals) membership. Curiosity led me to explore their website, and I was pleasantly surprised to find such a professionals’ platform in Kenya. Without hesitation, I registered as a member and secured the discount. The Association introduced me to Clemencia Ouma, the only other certified CFRE in Kenya, who offered incredible encouragement and support.

It’s said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” and I was determined to embrace the challenge head-on. On October 3rd, my application for the CFRE exam was approved for the October/November window, setting the grand deadline for November 30, 2022. This meant I had only two months to prepare, with the option to postpone the exam for a fee of USD 35. I decided to proceed; after all, in fundraising, we thrive on conquering challenges! 

P.S.: Education and experiences considered must have been attained within the past five years. For detailed information on the requirements, please refer to the official CFRE website at https://www.cfre.org/certification/initial/requirements/.

The Prep

Extensive research to gather more information about preparing for the CFRE exam became a daily routine. A stiff path of overwhelm and desperation to find information to guide me through the process. Plus, CFRE recommended several books, which are unfortunately unavailable locally. Not to mention, the challenge of identifying the most appropriate book to invest in, considering the limited reading time. In the midst of it all, discovering the CFRE Facebook community was an incredible stroke of luck. I connected with like-minded professionals who were also navigating the certification journey. Eager to enhance my preparation, I joined Jack Alotto’s online study group, which held sessions every Saturday for six weeks. Jack’s valuable guidance and book recommendations, including “Achieving Excellence in Fundraising,” enriched my study process.

This, combined with Brittany Jannis’ Study Guides, sourced from the AFP Review Course at https://www.philanthrolab.com/, proved to be a game-changing reference. Additionally, the webinars, YouTube videos, and podcasts offered diverse perspectives on fundraising strategies. James Russell’s videos on Planned Gifts and Joan Garry’s “Nonprofits Are Messy” podcast, in particular, stood out as particularly enlightening. 

The CFRE Practice Exam, which I acquired about a month before the actual exam, became my ultimate anchor in preparation. It allowed me to familiarize myself with the question format and proved to be immensely valuable in understanding the phrasing and structure of CFRE exam questions. Moreover, it helped me identify areas of weakness, enabling me to focus my revision efforts more effectively. With practice, I became more confident in interpreting the challenging questions. Jack Alotto’s insights helped me effectively approach and respond to them. I highly recommend this resource for CFRE exam preparation.

Now, if you’re considering taking the CFRE exam, it’s essential to understand what it entails. The exam is designed to assess the knowledge and expertise of fundraising professionals across six domains, each encompassing different areas of fundraising:

1. Current and Prospective Donor Research
2. Securing the Gift
3. Relationship Building.
4. Volunteer Involvement.
5. Leadership and Management.
6. Ethics, Accountability, and Professionalism.

For more details visit the site: https://www.cfre.org/certification/initial/test-content-outline/

The Exam!

Plot twist! After careful consideration, I decided to postpone my CFRE exam, giving myself ample time to prepare. June 9th finally arrived, and there I was, armed with knowledge, confidence, and a few butterflies in my belly. Seated in the exam room, I grappled with 200 mind-bending multiple-choice questions that required reasoning and sound judgment. No easy-peasy textbook queries here! Mental exhaustion crept nearby, but determination and adrenaline carried the day. After slightly over three intense hours, I anxiously awaited the printout. And guess what? It read, ‘You have PASSED the Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) Examination.’ Elation doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling!

My CFRE journey has taught me powerful lessons about the fundraising profession in Africa. One key insight is that there’s an abundance of untapped opportunities to elevate fundraising and support upcoming civil society organizations (CSOs). By nurturing a culture of giving and investing in data-driven strategies, we can empower these organizations to achieve their missions more effectively.

So, if you’re considering the CFRE journey, I say – go for it!

The effort and investment are undoubtedly worthwhile, and the knowledge gained is priceless. Take a shot at it and open doors to endless possibilities for personal and professional growth. Embrace the challenges, invest in your continuous development, and join me in elevating the fundraising profession in Africa. Let’s embark on this trailblazing journey together and create a brighter future for the fundraising sector on our continent!

Share your own experiences or reach out for advice, and let’s inspire and support each other on this exhilarating path to global recognition as CFRE professionals!