The CFRE certification (Certified Fund Raising Executive) is one of the most respected credentials in nonprofit fundraising. This guide explains CFRE requirements, eligibility, exam format, costs, and how to prepare successfully.
When I joined the Nonprofit Leadership Center as a resource development coordinator in 2022, I was at a crossroads. After teaching for a decade and volunteering on nonprofit boards for even longer, I was ready to transition into a full-time nonprofit career. As a recent graduate of The University of Tampa’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management program, I gained insights into my strengths and opportunities for growth. I had the passion and “boots-on-the-ground” experience, but I felt a lingering limitation: the need to master the art and science of fundraising.
As a lifelong learner, I wanted to distinguish myself as I took on a new path. The answer was the Certified Fund Raising Executive certification (CFRE).
Mapping the Path to Becoming a CFRE
Like any dedicated planner who wanted to earn my CFRE certification, I knew my journey shouldn’t begin with a leap, but with a map. After a bit of research, I realized that while the requirements were rigorous, they were achievable. By reaching specific milestones in fundraising, field experience, and professional learning, I could achieve this standard of excellence in just three years.
Being part of the Nonprofit Leadership Center team gave me a front-row seat to the best training in the sector. It didn’t take long for me to realize that the CFRE certification is much more than a four-letter acronym or a final exam; it is a profound commitment to professional excellence and a testament to the intentionality we bring to our missions.
The map to get there had one simple but significant first step: logging into the CFRE portal to start my application.
Seeing that “bird’s-eye view” of what lay ahead — the dollars to be raised, the training hours to be logged, and the projects to be managed — transformed a daunting ambition into a clear, strategic roadmap. What once felt like an insurmountable mountain suddenly became a series of manageable, purposeful steps toward the leader I wanted to become.
A System of Accountability
I knew that to succeed over three years, I needed a system. I created a tracking process to capture every “tidbit” of progress:
- Professional Development: Recording every class taken at the Nonprofit Leadership Center, every training from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and every conference I attended.
- Impact Metrics: Tracking dollars raised.
- Marketing Wins: Documenting every campaign I worked on, detailing my role in innovative practices and their results.
Beyond the application process, tracking these elements enabled me to see my own growth in real-time.
Strength in Sisterhood: The Power of Community
I realized early on that while I was the only person at my organization pursuing the CFRE, I didn’t want to do it alone. My research led me to Melanate., an organization that centers Black women in resource development.
Through their program, I received support with reviewing and submitting my application, including all associated fees. Additionally, I Melanate. provided me with practical tools, including study materials, coaching sessions, and study groups. My cohort was a powerhouse group of Black fundraising professionals who worked across the country. We connected over our roles, our work, and our shared experiences.
This was far more than studying for an exam. I was able to connect with a community that understood my unique perspective in the field and made all of it mean so much more.
Crossing the Finish Line: Earning My CFRE Certification
From virtual weekend prep sessions with trainers across the country and Association of Fundraising Professionals training sessions to Melanate.’s invaluable study groups, I leaned on every resource available. When it finally came time to take the exam, I felt prepared; prepared for the questions and the career that lay ahead. I had so many new ideas that I could not wait to bring to the Nonprofit Leadership Center.
Sitting for the exam was the final step in a three-year marathon, but it was also the first step in a new chapter of my career. Today, I know that the four letters that follow my name, CFRE, symbolize a commitment to ethical, effective fundraising, to ongoing learning, and to making our community whole.
Perhaps most importantly, passing the exam helped me learn who I am as a professional and find my unique place in a community that shares my heart for service.
Today, I no longer feel “limited” by a lack of fundraising experience or any experience. Today, I am a leader equipped with a new strategic roadmap (lifetime learner!) and a community of peers who share my commitment.
If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect time” to start your own development journey, take it from me: the map is already in your hands. You just have to take the first step. Explore NLC courses and conferences that will help you achieve your milestones. Whether you are earning CFRE credit or discovering who you are as a leader, now is the time to kickstart your journey.
How to Get Your CFRE Certification: Requirements, Cost, & Exam Guide
What is the CFRE certification?
The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification is a globally recognized credential that supports a fundraiser’s professional growth and commitment to the philanthropic sector. It not only prepares fundraisers for success in development but also teaches the importance of ethics and leadership — two critical components when raising funds from individuals and companies to invest in the community.
What are the CFRE eligibility requirements to earn your certification?
Earning the CFRE certification is a multi-step process. It involves a comprehensive application and, once approved, passing the CFRE exam. Because I decided three years prior that I wanted to earn this credential, I started my application early.
Part 1: The CFRE Application
The CFRE website allows applicants to begin their application whenever they are ready.
PRO TIP: Once you decide this is a professional goal, create an account on the CFRE website and start working on completing your application. It is much easier to complete as you work through each requirement.
The application itself is designed using a point system. Each applicant must achieve a certain number of points in three areas: education, professional practice, and professional performance. Points can be earned within five years of submitting your application, except for academic degrees, which never expire.
Education
Initially, all your college degrees (associates, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate) will count as points. You can also earn points for authoring materials and volunteer work. Additionally, continuing education points from trainings hosted by the Nonprofit Leadership Center, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and other entities, including some conferences, often count towards your required points.
PRO TIP: CFRE keeps a list of training opportunities on its website. Some are virtual, and some are even free!
PRO TIP: When searching for nonprofit training events on the Nonprofit Leadership Center’s website, look for the CFRE logo on the training page to see whether it is eligible. Also, while most development classes count, other leadership and marketing classes count as well. Don’t limit yourself!
Professional Practice
Generally speaking, one needs to have worked as a fundraiser for 36 months, which is why I set a goal to earn the CFRE certification in three years. Some applicants choose to spread out their requirements over the allowable five-year period.
PRO TIP: There are pathways for full-time and part-time fundraisers, as well as consultants, to earn the credential.
Professional Performance
The CFRE certification process recognizes a fundraiser’s holistic impact. The framework awards points for “Professional Performance,” which includes both direct fundraising success and the strategic “behind-the-scenes” work, like executive management and communications projects that advance your mission. This means your journey to certification is fueled as much by the sustainable systems you build as the dollars you bring in.
What are the best ways to prepare for the CFRE application?
Track Your Training
Create your own spreadsheet to track your continuing education credits. Set a reminder in your calendar every few months to log this information into the CFRE application portal.
- Name of course
- Start and end date
- Number of CFRE hours
- Organization or provider name
PRO TIP: Save the confirmation emails or documents that show you attended each course (e.g., registration confirmation page, thank you for attending email, etc.) Ten percent of CFRE applications are randomly audited, so this is an important step in your preparation. Keep this information in a folder saved in your personal Cloud. It is not uncommon for a fundraiser to change jobs over the course of five years. If you switch organizations, you want to ensure you have access to this information.
Track Your Professional Performance
Create a spreadsheet to track your earned dollars as well as any “evidence” that supports your earnings. This evidence can include annual and financial reports. If your goal is to raise $575,000 in one year, be sure that amount is also reflected in your organization’s official records.
When are the CFRE exam testing windows?
Applicants must choose a testing window to take the CFRE exam before submitting their application. There are four testing windows. (Please note these may change.)
- Window 1: January 15 to March 15
- Window 2: April 15 to June 15
- Window 3: July 15 to September 15
- Window 4: October 1 to November 30
Applicants can also apply for special accommodation with appropriate documentation. CFRE International is “committed to ensuring that all eligible candidates with disabilities or impairments, regardless of country of residence, are given the opportunity to meet certification requirements.” This process begins with the initial application.
As a global and distinguished credential, applicants are required to sign off on accountability and ethics standards. Carefully read and study these in preparation for the exam.
How much does CFRE certification cost?
The current cost to apply for CFRE is $875, payable when you submit your application online or by check. If you are a member of a participating organization, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, you can receive a 20% discount, resulting in $700 for initial certification.
What happens after you submit your CFRE application?
After you have submitted your CFRE application and paid the initial certification fee, you must wait for the application to be approved by the CFRE credentialing team.
Ten percent of applications are randomly audited. Having your documentation gathered and prepared, including earned education credits and proof of your professional performance, makes this audit easier to complete.
What is the CFRE exam like? What is the format and structure?
The CFRE exam is a computer-based exam composed of 200 multiple-choice questions. Each question will have four possible answers.
PRO TIP: When testing, take your time to read the question. Identify where in the fundraising cycle you are and what the question is asking. From there, eliminate two responses. You may be left with two “seemingly” correct answers. You will have to identify the best practice and better answer. When practicing test questions, these are great for group discussion.
Each test taker will have four hours to complete the CFRE exam, broken up into the following time slots:
- Two hours for 100 questions
- 10-minute break: This is an opportunity to use the restroom, have a drink of water, etc. Your next section will start immediately after 10 minutes have passed.
- Two hours for 100 questions
Tips to Prepare for a Successful CFRE Exam Day
- Master Your Environment: Whether you choose the quiet of your home office or the structured setting of an on-site testing center, knowing the “rules of the road” is vital. Each space has its own unique requirements. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with them so you can focus entirely on your performance.
- Focus on the Core: Out of the 200 questions on the CFRE exam, 25 are “pilot” questions being tested for future exams. You won’t know which ones they are. Treat every question with care, but don’t let the “unknowns” shake your focus.
- Lead With Your Strengths: The CFRE exam platform allows you to “flag” questions for later review. Use this strategically! Answer the questions you are 100% confident about first, building your momentum and “banking” your points. Flag the ones that require deeper thought and revisit them once you’ve cleared the path. This ensures you’re managing your time effectively and focusing your energy where it matters most.
- Understand the Scale: The CFRE uses a scoring scale of 200 to 800, with 500 as the benchmark for success. While there isn’t a public formula for determining exactly how many correct answers are needed, trust your preparation. Focus on overall excellence rather than the math behind the curtain.
- Own Your Pace: You are in the driver’s seat of this experience. You aren’t required to use the full time allotted for each section. If you finish your first group of questions early, have had time to review, and you are confident with your responses, feel free to start your 10-minute break ahead of schedule. Use that time to reset and enter the second half with fresh momentum.
- The Moment of Truth: While the official word is that results can take up to 48 hours, the reality is much more rewarding. In most cases, you’ll receive your results immediately. Prepare yourself for that instant surge of accomplishment!
What topics are covered on the CFRE exam?
The CFRE exam covers the following areas of ethical fundraising:
1. Current and Prospective Donor Research
Identifying and understanding donors’ capacity, inclination, and connection to a cause
2. Securing the Gift
Strategies and techniques for asking for and closing donations
3. Relationship Building
Cultivating and stewarding long-term donor relationships
4. Volunteer Involvement
Engaging and managing volunteers effectively
5. Leadership and Management
Leading fundraising teams and managing resources
6. Ethics, Accountability, and Professionalism
Upholding high ethical standards and accountability in fundraising
The CFRE exam is structured around these six specific “domains,” each carrying a different weight in your final score. While it’s vital to study the entire roadmap, I highly recommend starting with a practice exam or a self-assessment tool. Think of this as a “fundraising leadership audit.” It helps you identify exactly where your expertise already shines and where you need to focus more.
However, as any seasoned fundraiser knows, our work never happens in a silo. Fundraising is inherently cyclical and interconnected. While the CFRE exam distinguishes between different categories, like donor research, ethics, and volunteer involvement, it also tests your ability to see their relational value. True mastery means understanding how a stellar communications plan fuels donor retention, or how an ethical case for support is the heartbeat of a capital campaign. In the nonprofit world, when one area is strengthened, the entire cycle gains momentum.
How do you prepare for the CFRE exam? 10 Pro Tips
Here are 10 pro tips to help you prepare for the CFRE exam:
1. Start studying three months before the test.
Start preparing too early, and you’ll lose momentum and maybe even forget a few things; start too late, and you’ll feel the crunch. In my experience and based on the advice I’ve received, the “just right” window is three months before your test date. This gives you enough time to dive deep without burning out.
2. Go beyond memorization.
The exam is a combination of knowledge and promising practices. While flashcards are great for memorizing terms, the real win is being able to explain why a concept matters in ethical fundraising. Don’t just define it. Be ready to provide a real-world example of it in action.
3. Make connections.
In the nonprofit world, nothing exists in a vacuum. Neither does the exam. As you study, look for the connecting threads across different domains. How does a marketing project impact donor retention? How does board governance influence a capital campaign? When you see the “whole picture,” the answers become clearer.
4. Limit your reading resources.
The CFRE resource list is extensive, but you don’t need to read every single book. I found my “holy grail” in Achieving Excellence in Fundraising (5th ed.). It covers all the exam domains. Whether you skim the highlights or read it cover-to-cover, keep one question in mind: How does this apply to the work I do every day?
5. Be prepared to set aside some of your experience.
We all work for different-sized nonprofits with unique cultures, but the CFRE exam tests industry standards. Be prepared to learn the “standard” way of doing things, even if your current office wears many hats or combines roles differently.
6. Choose your testing environment wisely.
The exam is offered at home or in person at the testing site. While there are pros and cons to each, consider these “insider” details:
At a testing site, you can step away as needed during the bathroom break. At home, you’re usually only allowed one break at the two-hour mark.
In person, you are permitted to use a physical whiteboard as your scratch pad. At home, you have access to a digital, on-screen whiteboard.
At home, you can control the temperature of the space you are in, as well as the lighting. In a testing center, you are subject to their conditions, which can be distracting for some test takers.
7. Use the CFRE study resources wisely.
The CFRE Compass guide and online practice exams are incredible for identifying your “growth areas.” However, be careful not to overuse them. You want to understand the concepts, not just memorize the answers to specific practice questions.
8. Set weekly study goals.
If you set a goal to study every single day, one late-night board meeting can derail your confidence. Instead, set weekly goals. This gives you the flexibility to handle the unexpected while still moving your roadmap forward.
9. Don’t study in a silo.
Joining a study group allows you to tap into the diverse experiences of your peers. Diving into the “how” and “why” of ethical fundraising with others helps you think through complex scenarios from multiple perspectives. After all, we are always stronger when we lead and learn together.
10. Lead with Grace.
If you don’t pass the CFRE exam on your first attempt, breathe. You are in good company. I’ve met many brilliant, high-impact leaders who didn’t cross the finish line on day one, but 100% of them found success the second time around. In the nonprofit world, we are professional goal-crushers; we know how to pivot and persevere. Give yourself the same grace you give your mission and remember that a redirection is not a defeat.
