Study guide
14.1 The AFP Code of Ethical Standards, Core Principles & Enforcement
Certified Fund Raising Executive CFRE
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1 Introduction to the CFRE Credential & Exam
1.1 About the CFRE Exam: Eligibility, Format & Scoring 1.2 Study Strategy, Test Navigation & Core Terminology
2 Prospect Identification, Wealth Screening & Qualification
2.1 Prospect Identification, Primary/Secondary Research & the LAI Principle 2.2 Wealth Screening Indicators, Real Estate Valuations & Gift Capacity Ratings 2.3 Prospect Qualification, Discovery Visits & Readiness Scoring
3 Donor Intelligence, Data Management & Privacy Ethics
3.1 Donor Database & CRM Architecture: Biographic vs. Transactional Records 3.2 Data Hygiene, Address Standardization & RFM Segmentation 3.3 Predictive Analytics, Propensity Modeling & Donor Lifetime Value (LTV) 3.4 Research Ethics, Apra Ethics Guidance, Donor Privacy & Security Controls
4 Case for Support, Annual Giving & Direct Marketing
4.1 Developing the Case for Support & Case Statements 4.2 Annual Giving Programs, Direct Response & Acquisition Economics 4.3 Digital Fundraising, Recurring Giving & Multi-Channel Acquisition 4.4 Special Events Strategy, Quid Pro Quo & Community Campaigns
5 Major Gifts, Capital Campaigns & Institutional Solicitation
5.1 Major Gifts: Moves Management, Solicitation Readiness & the Face-to-Face Ask 5.2 Capital Campaigns: Phases, Feasibility Studies & Gift Range Charts 5.3 Corporate Partnerships: Philanthropy, Sponsorships, UBIT & Cause Marketing 5.4 Foundation Grants: Prospecting, 990-PF Research, LOIs, Proposals & Reporting
6 Planned Giving Vehicles & Gift Acceptance Policies
6.1 Estate Bequests, Qualified Charitable Distributions & Beneficiary Designations 6.2 Life Income Gifts: Charitable Gift Annuities, CRTs & Retained Life Estates 6.3 Gift Acceptance Policies, Complex Asset Due Diligence & IRS Compliance
7 Donor Cultivation & Moves Management
7.1 Systematic Cultivation Planning & Customized Donor Journeys 7.2 Active Listening, Strategic Inquiry & Overcoming Donor Objections 7.3 Cross-Departmental Cultivation & Leadership Collaboration
8 Multi-Channel Engagement, Active Listening & Donor Retention
8.1 Personalized Multi-Channel Touchpoints, Impact Reports & Constituent Communications 8.2 Calculating Donor Retention, LYBUNT/SYBUNT Renewal Strategies & Churn Analysis 8.3 Donor-Centered Engagement, Personas, Advisory Councils & Feedback Loops
9 Stewardship Systems, Recognition & Accountability
9.1 Gift Acknowledgment Standards, IRS Substantiation & Quid Pro Quo Disclosures 9.2 Donor Recognition Programs, Giving Societies & Naming Policies 9.3 Endowment Stewardship Reporting, Fund Performance & Impact Statements 9.4 Comprehensive Stewardship Planning, Institutional Matrix & Attrition Prevention
10 Volunteer Program Design, Recruitment, Training & Governance
10.1 Volunteer Program Readiness, Role Descriptions & Recruitment Strategy 10.2 Volunteer Orientation, Peer Solicitation Coaching & Retention Management 10.3 Board Governance, Fiduciary Duties & Giving Policies
11 Strategic Planning, Mission Alignment & Program Assessment
11.1 Strategic Fundraising Planning & Institutional Alignment 11.2 The Comprehensive Fundraising Audit & Operations SWOT Analysis 11.3 Environmental Scanning, PESTLE Analysis & Giving USA Philanthropic Benchmarks
12 Financial Operations, Departmental Budgeting & Resource Allocation
12.1 Departmental Budget Construction, Operational Expenses vs. Capital Costs 12.2 Fundraising Efficiency Metrics: CRD, ROI & Benchmarking 12.3 Internal Financial Controls, Gift Processing & Fraud Prevention
13 Staff Leadership, Performance Metrics & Team Development
13.1 Development Staff Recruitment, Retention, Compensation Structures & Professional Growth 13.2 Performance Metrics, Moves Management Scorecards & Quantitative vs. Qualitative Evaluation 13.3 Ethical Culture, Cross-Functional Collaboration & Anti-Harassment Safeguards
14 AFP Code of Ethics, Compensation Standards & Public Trust
14.1 The AFP Code of Ethical Standards, Core Principles & Enforcement 14.2 Absolute Prohibition of Percentage-Based Compensation & Finders' Fees 14.3 Identifying, Disclosing, and Managing Conflicts of Interest & Dual Agency
15 Accountability Standards, Donor Rights & Regulatory Compliance
15.1 The Donor Bill of Rights, Fiduciary Stewardship & Privacy Ethics 15.2 Fiduciary Duty to Honor Donor Intent, Frustrated Intent, Cy-Près & UPMIFA 15.3 Regulatory Transparency, Form 990 Oversight & Charitable Solicitation Compliance
16 CFRE Exam Simulation, Pacing & Cross-Domain Scenarios
16.1 Exam-Day Pacing Strategy, Testing Architecture & Psychometric Scoring 16.2 Cross-Domain Situational Judgment & Complex Case Scenarios
14.1 The AFP Code of Ethical Standards, Core Principles & Enforcement
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
Public trust serves as the foundational currency of the philanthropic sector; because charitable giving represents a unilateral, voluntary transfer of assets without commercial quid pro quo, voluntary support requires absolute ethical integrity.
Adopted in 1964 by AFP's predecessor and amended in October 2014 and December 2023, the AFP Code binds AFP members; CFRE applicants and certificants agree to the CFRE Accountability Standards, the Donor Bill of Rights, and the International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising, and must follow the ethical standards of any professional organizations they belong to.
The December 2023 AFP Code groups 25 standards into five sections: Public Trust and Transparency (1–8); Conflicts of Interest (9–11); Solicitation & Stewardship of Philanthropic Funds (12–18); Donor Privacy (19–22); and Fair, Equitable, and Transparent Compensation Practices (23–25).
Enforcement runs on two tracks: AFP reviews complaints against its members under its Ethics Enforcement Procedures, while CFRE International handles complaints about certificants and can deny or revoke the credential; exam cheating brings permanent ineligibility, and adverse certification decisions follow a two-level appeal process.
Systematic ethical decision-making frameworks—including the Potter Box model and the Front-Page Test—equip development professionals to resolve complex dilemmas where institutional financial pressure clashes with donor rights and professional values.
Last updated: September 2026
The AFP Code of Ethical Standards, Core Principles & Enforcement
CFRE Exam Core Concept: Ethical practice is the non-negotiable foundation upon which all charitable solicitation, philanthropic stewardship, and institutional advancement rest. While commercial enterprises exchange goods and services for capital through enforceable legal contracts, the social sector relies entirely on voluntary generosity and public trust. Fundraising professionals need a working understanding of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Code of Ethical Standards, the CFRE Accountability Standards, the enforcement and appeal procedures of AFP and CFRE International, and systematic ethical decision-making frameworks.
Fundraising professionals occupy a unique moral and fiduciary position within civil society. Development officers serve as trusted intermediaries between the altruistic aspirations of donors and the vital programmatic needs of charitable institutions. If public confidence is compromised through deceptive solicitation practices, self-dealing, or breaches of constituent confidentiality, the entire philanthropic compact fractures—not merely for a single organization, but for the nonprofit sector as a whole. Professional credentialing through CFRE International requires a signed commitment to uphold its ethics standards.
1. Public Trust: The Currency of the Philanthropic Sector
In the commercial marketplace, the doctrine of caveat emptor ("buyer beware") operates within a framework of bilateral exchange: a consumer inspects a product, negotiates terms, and receives tangible property or valuable services in return for financial consideration. Philanthropy functions on a completely different paradigm: ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
- │ Commercial Exchange vs. Philanthropic Compact │
- ├──────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────┤
- │ Commercial Transaction │ Philanthropic Contribution │
- ├──────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────┤
- │ Direct bilateral benefit │ Unilateral voluntary transfer │
- │ Tangible good or service │ Societal impact & moral purpose │
- │ Enforced by warranty/law │ Governed by trust & stewardship │
- │ Quid pro quo contract │ Donor intent & public benefit │
- └──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────┘
Because donors voluntarily surrender control over personal assets without receiving direct material enrichment in return, public trust is the ultimate currency of philanthropy . When an individual writes a check, pledges a major gift, or executes a charitable bequest, they do so based on three non-negotiable expectations:
Veracity in Solicitation: The soliciting professional and institution speak with absolute accuracy regarding programmatic needs, organizational capacity, financial condition, and measurable societal impact.
Fidelity to Donor Intent: The recipient charity will exercise scrupulous stewardship over contributed assets, ensuring restricted funds are deployed exclusively for designated purposes.
Absence of Private Enrichment: The fundraiser is motivated solely by mission advancement and donor-centric philanthropy, rather than private commission, self-dealing, or commercial gain.
Erosion of public trust does not occur in isolation. High-profile scandals involving financial misappropriation, exorbitant executive compensation, deceptive telemarketing appeals, or diversion of restricted endowments inflict sector-wide damage. A lapse at one high-profile institution depresses donor confidence across thousands of unrelated grassroots charities and prompts aggressive legislative intervention. Ethical codes exist precisely to preserve this delicate social contract.
2. History, Evolution, and Scope of the AFP Code of Ethical Standards
The AFP Code of Ethical Standards was adopted in 1964 by the professional society that later became the Association of Fundraising Professionals (it was the National Society of Fund Raising Executives, NSFRE, before taking the AFP name) and was amended in October 2014 and December 2023 . The December 2023 version is now enforceable, and all AFP members are required to sign it. Over subsequent decades, the Code has undergone continual revision to address emerging digital technologies, global philanthropic practices, online giving, cause-related marketing, and sophisticated planned giving instruments.
How the AFP Code Relates to CFRE Certification
The AFP Code binds AFP members ; it is not the CFRE credential's own code. CFRE International , which has operated as an independent certification body since 2001, requires every applicant for certification and recertification to agree to three ethics documents:
The CFRE Accountability Standards — five standards covering truthful applications, accurate claims about certification status, proper use of the CFRE marks, exam confidentiality, and compliance with the ethical and professional standards of any professional organizations in which the individual holds membership;
The Donor Bill of Rights ; and
The International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising .
Because Accountability Standard 5 requires compliance with the codes of one's own professional associations, a CFRE who belongs to AFP is bound by the AFP Code through that membership. These commitments apply wherever a certificant works and in whatever role—employee, consultant, or contractor—and employer pressure or supervisory directives do not excuse a violation.
3. The 25 Standards Across Five Sections (December 2023 Code)
The current AFP Code of Ethical Standards opens with ethical principles—such as practicing with integrity, putting philanthropic mission above personal gain, and valuing the privacy and freedom of choice of those affected—followed by 25 standards grouped into five sections . The summaries below closely track the official wording; consult the AFP website for the exact text. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
- │ THE FIVE SECTIONS OF THE AFP CODE (DECEMBER 2023) │
- ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
- │ 1. Public Trust and Transparency (Standards 1–8) │
- │ 2. Conflicts of Interest (Standards 9–11) │
- │ 3. Solicitation & Stewardship of (Standards 12–18) │
- │ Philanthropic Funds │
- │ 4. Donor Privacy (Standards 19–22) │
- │ 5. Fair, Equitable, and Transparent (Standards 23–25) │
- │ Compensation Practices │
- └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
- Section 1: Public Trust and Transparency (Standards 1–8)
Members are expected to:
Standard 1: Not engage in activities that harm their organizations, clients, or the profession, or knowingly bring the profession into disrepute.
Standard 2: Comply with all applicable local, regional, and national laws and regulations.
Standard 3: Recognize their individual boundaries of professional competence and responsibility.
Standard 4: Convey information about programs, products, services, and mission-delivered solutions without misrepresentation.
Standard 5: Establish the purpose and scope of work at the beginning of any contractual relationship.
Standard 6: Refrain from knowingly infringing on the intellectual property rights of other parties.
Standard 7: Abstain from disparaging competitors.
Standard 8: When stating fundraising results, use accurate and consistent accounting methods that conform to the guidelines adopted by the appropriate authority.
Section 2: Conflicts of Interest (Standards 9–11)
Standard 9: Avoid activities that conflict, or may conflict, with their fiduciary, ethical, and legal obligations to their organizations, clients, or professions.
Standard 10: Disclose all potential and actual conflicts of interest; such disclosure does not preclude or imply ethical impropriety.
Standard 11: Decline personal benefits, such as invitations or personal gifts, that arise from relationships with donors, prospects, volunteers, or clients.
Section 3: Solicitation & Stewardship of Philanthropic Funds (Standards 12–18)
Standard 12: Ensure all development marketing and communications are accurate.
Standard 13: Ensure donors receive informed, accurate, and ethical information about the value and tax implications of contributions.
Standard 14: Affirm that their primary responsibilities are to their organizations while also safeguarding the interests of donors.
Standard 15: Ensure contributions are used in accordance with donor intent and restrictions.
Standard 16: Ensure proper stewardship of donations, including timely reports on the use and management of the funds.
Standard 17: Obtain explicit consent from donors, donors' successors, or appropriate legal counsel before altering the conditions of previously restricted financial transactions.
Standard 18: Meet the legal requirements for the disbursement of funds received from donors on behalf of nonprofit clients.
Section 4: Donor Privacy (Standards 19–22)
Standard 19: Protect confidential information from disclosure to unauthorized parties, as defined by an organization's policies and procedures.
Standard 20: Recognize that information created on behalf of an organization, including donor and prospect information, is the confidential intellectual property of that organization and may not be taken, shared with, or transferred to other entities.
Standard 21: Convey to donors and clients that they can request omission of their personal information from future organizational use.
Standard 22: Convey to donors and clients that they can request omission of their personal information from lists that are sold, rented, or exchanged, where such exchanges are allowed.
Section 5: Fair, Equitable, and Transparent Compensation Practices (Standards 23–25)
Standard 23: Support fair and equitable compensation, which may include bonuses or merit pay in line with organizational practices but may never be based on a percentage of funds raised.
Standard 24: Decline receiving or paying finder's fees, commissions, or compensation based on a percentage of funds raised.
Standard 25: Refrain from offering or accepting payments or special considerations for the purpose of influencing the selection of products or services.
Quick Reference Matrix: The 25 AFP Standards (December 2023)
Standard Code Section Core Expectation Development Application
1 Public Trust & Transparency Do no harm to organizations, clients, or the profession Avoid conduct that brings fundraising into disrepute
2 Public Trust & Transparency Comply with laws and regulations Charitable solicitation registration, tax substantiation, and privacy laws
3 Public Trust & Transparency Know the limits of competence Refer complex planned gift or tax questions to qualified advisors
4 Public Trust & Transparency No misrepresentation Describe programs, needs, and impact accurately
5 Public Trust & Transparency Define scope of work up front Written scope for consulting and vendor relationships
6 Public Trust & Transparency Respect intellectual property Do not reuse others' copyrighted appeals, images, or materials
7 Public Trust & Transparency Do not disparage competitors Compete on mission and results, not attacks on other charities or firms
8 Public Trust & Transparency Accurate, consistent reporting of results Follow recognized counting and accounting guidelines for campaign totals
- 9 Conflicts of Interest Avoid conflicting activities Stay out of arrangements that compromise fiduciary duty
- 10 Conflicts of Interest Disclose conflicts Written disclosure of vendor, family, or business ties
11 Conflicts of Interest Decline personal benefits Turn down personal gifts and invitations arising from donor relationships
12 Solicitation & Stewardship Accurate marketing and communications Truthful appeals, reports, and case statements
13 Solicitation & Stewardship Accurate value and tax information Correct receipts and quid pro quo disclosures; no overstated tax benefits
14 Solicitation & Stewardship Serve the organization while safeguarding donors Never pressure donors to act against their own interests
15 Solicitation & Stewardship Honor donor intent and restrictions Spend restricted gifts only as designated
16 Solicitation & Stewardship Proper stewardship and timely reporting Deliver impact and endowment reports on schedule
17 Solicitation & Stewardship Consent before altering restrictions Consult the donor, successors, or legal counsel before redirecting a restricted gift
18 Solicitation & Stewardship Lawful disbursement of client funds Consultants and platforms remit donor funds as the law requires
19 Donor Privacy Protect confidential information Role-based CRM access; no disclosure to unauthorized parties
20 Donor Privacy Donor data belongs to the organization Departing staff may not take or transfer prospect files
- 21 Donor Privacy Omission from future organizational use Honor requests to stop using personal information
- 22 Donor Privacy Omission from exchanged lists Offer opt-outs before any list rental, sale, or exchange
23 Compensation Practices Fair pay; never percentage-based Bonuses or merit pay allowed, but never tied to a percentage of funds raised
24 Compensation Practices No finder's fees or commissions Neither accept nor pay finder's fees, commissions, or percentage pay
25 Compensation Practices No payments to influence selection Refuse kickbacks or special considerations when choosing products or services
4. Professional Accountability and Enforcement
Ethics commitments carry consequences through two separate channels, and it matters which body handles what.
CFRE International: Certification-Related Accountability
Scope: The CFRE Accountability Standards focus on the certification process itself—truthful applications, accurate claims about certification status, proper use of the CFRE marks, exam security, and compliance with the ethical standards of the professional organizations to which a certificant belongs.
Complaints about certificant conduct are handled through the CFRE complaints process published on the CFRE International website.
Action based on other bodies' findings: If a certificant is disciplined for violating a professional association's code of ethics, or a regulator or other organization acts against the individual for professional misconduct, CFRE International will consider taking action of its own.
Possible consequences: Violating the Accountability Standards or the applicant consent statement can lead to disciplinary action by professional associations and by CFRE International—including denial or revocation of the credential —and to possible legal action. A certificant whose credential is withdrawn, suspended, or revoked must stop claiming it and return the certificate.
Exam misconduct: Any attempt to cheat invalidates the exam score and makes the individual permanently ineligible to be considered for or hold CFRE certification. Sharing or receiving exam questions also violates the Accountability Standards.
Appealing an Adverse Certification Decision
The CFRE Candidate Handbook sets a two-level appeal procedure for adverse decisions about an application for certification or recertification. It does not cover complaints about certificant conduct. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
- │ CFRE APPEAL PROCEDURE (CANDIDATE HANDBOOK) │
- ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
- │ 1. Written request within 7 days of the adverse notice │
- │ 2. President & CEO reviews and decides within 30 days │
- │ 3. Second appeal to the Appeal Board within 30 days │
- │ (no new materials; no hearing) │
- │ 4. Appeal Board acts within 90 days; decision is final │
- └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Some matters cannot be appealed at all: failing the exam, and the eligibility requirements themselves (only their interpretation in an individual case). Testing conditions can be appealed only if the candidate complained at the test center or contacted the testing agency or CFRE on the test day, and lapsed certificants must complete the initial certification process again.
AFP: Membership-Based Enforcement
AFP requires its members to sign the Code of Ethical Standards and reviews complaints against members under its Ethics Enforcement Procedures , so AFP sanctions affect AFP membership. For a CFRE who belongs to AFP, an AFP finding can in turn prompt CFRE International to consider action.
Key Distinction: AFP enforces its Code against AFP members; CFRE International enforces its Accountability Standards against applicants and certificants. The most severe certification outcomes are revocation of the credential and, for exam cheating, permanent ineligibility.
5. Systematic Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks
In daily advancement practice, ethical dilemmas rarely present themselves as clear choices between right and wrong. More frequently, development professionals confront "right-versus-right" dilemmas, where competing professional loyalties, acute institutional revenue shortfalls, aggressive supervisory pressure, or conflicting stakeholder interests collide. Structured decision-making models help practitioners move beyond subjective intuition.
The Front-Page Test (Public Scrutiny Litmus Test)
A practical, rapid assessment tool: "If my proposed action, the full financial arrangement, and the internal correspondence were published on the front page of tomorrow's major newspaper or broadcast nationally, how would it appear to a reasonable donor, our beneficiaries, and the community?" If the proposed course of action relies on secrecy, technical loopholes, or verbal rationalizations, it inherently fails the test of public trust.
The Potter Box Model for Philanthropic Ethics
Developed by Harvard Divinity School ethicist Ralph Potter, the Potter Box is a four-stage framework, widely taught in applied ethics, that fundraisers can use to structure hard decisions:
Quadrant Analytical Stage Key Questions for Development Leaders
1. Empirical Definition Establish the Objective Facts What actually occurred? What are the verifiable facts, separated from institutional panic, emotional rhetoric, or hearsay? What are the financial stakes?
2. Values Identification Articulate Underlying Values What core values are in tension? (e.g., Institutional survival vs. donor autonomy; immediate cash windfall vs. long-term public trust; employee loyalty vs. legal transparency)
3. Ethical Principles Apply Universal Ethical Philosophy How do foundational ethical doctrines evaluate the dilemma?; • Aristotelian Virtue Ethics: What would an advancement professional of consummate character do?; • Kantian Categorical Imperative: Would this action be acceptable as a universal rule for all charitable institutions?; • Utilitarianism (Mill): What produces the greatest good and least harm for the greatest number of stakeholders?; • Golden Rule: How would I wish to be treated if I were the donor?
4. Loyalties Hierarchy Determine Primary Duty Where does the practitioner's ultimate loyalty lie? One defensible ordering for fundraisers: Public Trust > Donor Intent & Welfare > Professional Code > Charitable Mission > Employer Institution > Personal Career
The Philanthropic Hierarchy of Loyalties
When institutional leadership places pressure on a development officer to cut ethical corners (e.g., accepting an unvetted gift with unethical strings or taking a percentage cut on a grant), applying the Potter Box yields one defensible hierarchy of loyalties (the model asks practitioners to rank loyalties rather than prescribing a fixed order): Public Trust ≻ Donor Welfare ≻ Professional Code ≻ Charitable Mission ≻ Employer Institution ≻ Personal Career \text{Public Trust} \succ \text{Donor Welfare} \succ \text{Professional Code} \succ \text{Charitable Mission} \succ \text{Employer Institution} \succ \text{Personal Career} Public Trust ≻ Donor Welfare ≻ Professional Code ≻ Charitable Mission ≻ Employer Institution ≻ Personal Career
A fundraiser's duty to public trust and donor welfare supersedes organizational financial convenience, employer demands, and personal employment security. Certificants faced with coercive pressure are expected to educate leadership on the Code, document objections, consult external ethics hotlines, and, if necessary, refuse compliance even at personal professional cost.
6. Promoting Ethical Fundraising Across the Organization and the Profession
The CFRE Test Content Outline asks fundraisers to go beyond personal compliance: to communicate ethical principles to stakeholders, to promote ethical fundraising as vital to the non-profit sector's role in civil society, and to participate actively in the profession.
The International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising
CFREs agree to uphold this Statement, which is designed to complement—not replace—national laws and codes of conduct. Its shared principles are:
Honesty: Always be honest and truthful, upholding public trust and never misleading supporters or the public.
Respect: Respect beneficiaries and donors, following their choices and wishes wherever possible.
Integrity: Act with integrity, follow legislative and regulatory requirements, and work for the best interests of causes and supporters.
Transparency: Be clear and accurate about the organization's work, how donations will be managed and spent, and costs and impact.
Responsibility: Act responsibly to promote fundraising excellence for the common good, value diversity, and keep developing professional standards.
Communicating Ethics to Stakeholders
Board and leadership: Cover the Donor Bill of Rights, gift acceptance and naming policies, conflict-of-interest rules, and compensation ethics in board orientation, and raise ethics questions with the board before a crisis forces them.
Staff and volunteers: Build ethics into onboarding, volunteer training, confidentiality agreements, and regular case discussions (AFP publishes sample ethics education cases).
Donors and the public: Share the Donor Bill of Rights and privacy policy, report accurately on the use of funds and impact, and explain fundraising costs candidly.
Vendors and consultants: Write ethical requirements—no percentage-based fees, data confidentiality, truthful solicitation—into contracts.
Ethical Fundraising and Civil Society
Philanthropy depends on voluntary trust. Every misleading appeal or misused restricted gift weakens confidence in all charities, while transparent, donor-centered practice strengthens the sector's ability to serve communities independently of government and markets. Fundraisers can also advocate for sound public policy—such as fair charitable solicitation regulation and giving incentives—within the lobbying limits that apply to their organizations.
Participating in the Profession
Continuing education: CFRE recertification every three years requires documented education, professional practice, and professional performance.
Mentoring: Coaching newer fundraisers and supporting diverse entrants strengthens the profession's talent pipeline.
Professional associations: Membership and volunteer leadership in groups such as AFP, AHP, CASE, and Apra connect fundraisers to standards, research, and peers.
Research and knowledge sharing: Presenting, writing, and contributing data to sector benchmarking studies advance shared knowledge, and presenting and publishing can earn CFRE education points.