Certified Fund Raising Executive Examination CFRE Test Preparation Study Guide


The CFRE exam is a certification program designed for fund raising executives and is administered by the CFRE Professional Certification Board.

Format Of The Certified Fund Raising Executive Exam:


The CFRE examination is administered in paper-and-pencil format. In North America it is conducted in computer-based format. It consists of 225 multiple-choice questions of which 200 questions are scored and 25 questions are pre-test. The content covered in the exam is as follows:
I. Current and Prospective Donor Research (16.5% - 33 Items)

  • Develop a prospect list by identifying individuals and groups who have the capacity and propensity to give in order to qualify candidates for further research and cultivation efforts
  • Analyse the prospect list using characteristics such as interest, values, giving history, and relationship to the organisation in order to select potential donors for particular project
  • Implement and utilise a data management system that stores information about prospects to enable retrieval and analysis
  • Rate prospects in categories of giving potential in order to prioritise and plan solicitations
II. Securing the Gift (18.5% - 37 Items)
  • Develop a compelling case for support by involving volunteers, staff, and other groups in order to communicate the rationale for supporting the organisation's fund-raising programme
  • Design and conduct studies and/or surveys to plan and evaluate specific aspects of a fund raising programme
  • Design a comprehensive solicitation programme in order to generate financial support for the organisation's purpose
  • Design and conduct training programmes for volunteers, staff, and other groups using various training methodologies in order to increase solicitation effectiveness
  • Ask for and secure gifts from prospects in order to generate financial support for the organisation's purpose
  • Prepare donor-centred solicitation materials in order to influence and facilitate informed gift decisions
  • Evaluate the solicitation programme using appropriate criteria and methodology in order to produce accurate analytic reports for effective decision making
III. Relationship Building (25% - 50 Items)
  • Initiate and strengthen relationships with all constituents through a systematic cultivation plan designed to increase support of the organisation over the long term
  • Acknowledge and recognise gifts in ways that are meaningful to donors and appropriate to the mission and values of the organisation
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan in order to inform constituents and identified markets about the mission, vision, and values of the organisation, its funding priorities, and gift opportunities
  • Inform constituents about the value of giving in order to promote a culture of philanthropy
IV. Volunteer Involvement (10.5% - 21 items)
  • Create a structured process for the identification, recruitment, evaluation, recognition, and replacement of volunteers in order to strengthen the organisation's effectiveness
  • Empower and support volunteers by providing orientation, training, and specific job descriptions in order to enhance the volunteers' effectiveness
  • Engage volunteers in prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation activities in order to raise funds more effectively and efficiently
  • Participate in recruiting experienced and diverse leadership on boards and committees in order to ensure that these groups are representative of and responsive to the community they serve
  • Involve volunteers in the planning, development, and execution of a broad range of activities in order to maximise commitment to the mission and goals of the organisation
  • Delineate the roles of volunteer board members and staff in order to distinguish who have governance and management responsibilities
V. Management (20% - 40 items)
  • Participate in the organisation's strategic planning process in order to ensure that philanthropy is an integral part of the strategic plan
  • Design and implement short-and long- term fund raising plans and budgets in order to support the organisation's strategic goals
  • Conduct performance analysis of the fund raising programme using accepted and appropriate standards in order to assess efficiency and effectiveness
  • Recruit, train and support staff by applying human resource principles in order to foster professionalism and achieve the goals of the organisation
  • Supervise staff by applying appropriate human resource principles in order to foster a productive, team-oriented work environment and enhanced personal performance
  • Contract for various services, when appropriate, in order to optimise the efforts of the fund raising function
  • Create gift acceptance and acknowledgement policies in order to reflect the values of the organisation and satisfy legal and ethical standards
VI. Accountability (9.5% - 19 items)
  • Report to constituencies the sources, uses, and management of donated funds in order to preserve and enhance confidence in the organisation
  • Ensure that the intent of gifts is honoured so that public trust is established and preserved
  • Ensure that the solicitation of gifts is conducted in accordance with the regulatory environment in which fund raising activities are conducted
  • Clarify, implement, and monitor donors' instructions by ensuring that allocations are appropriate and documented in the organisation's financial records
  • Comply with all reporting requirements and regulations in order to demonstrate commitment to accountability and transparency
The candidates are required to complete the examination in 4 hours.

Study Guide and Test Preparation for the Certified Fund Raising Executive Examination CFRE

 CFRE Exam Flashcards Study System

A Complete Certified Fund Raising Executive Examination CFRE study guide that includes sample questions, test tips and a complete study plan prepared by a team of expert and dedicated researchers. Cost-effective and qualified exam help from a committed exam preparation company.

Click here to order CFRE Exam Secrets (printed book)

Click here to order CFRE Exam Secrets (ebook download)

How to Prepare for Multiple Choice Questions


Tips and tricks that can help you prepare for multiple choice questions and increase your mark. Prepared by professionals these tricks help you excel in Certified Fund Raising Executive multiple choice exam.

 How to answer multiple choice

CFRE Multiple Choice Strategies Guide

People viewing this Study Guide

We have 1262 guests and no members online