The dynamics of fundraising are continually changing, and CFRE International is committed to maintaining a certification process that corresponds to the evolution of professional fundraisers’ work.
A task force made up of eleven experienced fundraisers from Australia, Canada, England, and the United States has provided the leadership for an analysis of the current fundraising environment across international boundaries.
Andrew Day, Daniel McDiarmid, Leslie Weir, Denny Young, and Donald Zeilstra – all members of the task force – have remarked on the importance of this process. Donald Zeilstra captured the motivation for participating in the project by noting, “this is a way for me to give back to the profession that has provided me with a meaningful and rewarding career.”
Their work has resulted in the CFRE Job Analysis Survey, which is being conducted widely now among fundraising professionals. The project is being facilitated by Professional Examination Service (PES) and Morgean Hirt, Executive Director of CFRE International.
The objective of the survey is to ensure the credentials offered by CFRE International are relevant to current practitioners around the world. Task force Chair, Pearl Veenema, explains, “it is prudent practice for a certifying agency to update the job analysis every five to seven years. This will ensure that the examination is testing current practice.”
Leslie Weir has pointed out that the analysis will also provide tools to support the CFRE certification process, including a glossary of terms, a contemporary description of fundraising practices, and a definition of competency with regards to specific tasks, responsibilities, knowledge, and skills.
Through the analysis project, task force members learned that across international boundaries there are strong similarities of fundraising practice. Following their exploration of the differences of culture and terminology, task force members remarked on how useful the project has been in terms of questioning old assumptions and learning from a full spectrum of experience. Another benefit of sharing knowledge and collating information into a systematic framework has been to demonstrate and develop the integrity of the profession. The process itself, especially its international dimension, will lead to conformities in standards and practices that will strengthen the profession.
But the members of the task force recognize their work is just a first step of many towards developing a new test content outline.
Broad participation among CFRE professionals in the extended survey (currently in circulation) is crucial to validating the preliminary work of the task force. “While the group process in the job analysis task force has worked very well, the outcomes need to be tested in the various work situations of professional fundraisers. The best thoughts of a significant sample of people will ensure that people can have confidence in the CFRE examination,” says Daniel McDiarmid.
A rigorous review of input from a large and diverse group of fundraising practitioners will help to ensure relevance and clarity of language, regardless of the location, size, or type of fundraising organization. Input will also advance the certification process, enabling CFRE International to develop recognition and respect for the credential.
We encourage everyone to participate in this important initiative for our profession. Your contribution to the survey will strengthen and inform the process immeasurably. Survey deadline is June 30. For further information, please contact mhirt@cfre.org
