ACFRE Track
“ACFRE Means Something …
Doesn’t it?”
James M. Greenfield, ACFRE, FAHP
AFP 45th International Conference
San Diego, California
March 30 – April 2, 2008
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Is the ACFRE about …
Accountability
Community Benefit
Philanthropic Culture
Social Enterprise
Stewardship
Volunteerism
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Or, is the ACFRE about …
Charisma
Example
Generosity
Leadership
Reflection
Risk-Taking
Zeal
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ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
For those who aspire
to be an ACFRE
For those who already
have their ACFRE
“I care about my profession”
“I want to increase respect for
my credential”
“I want an increase in salary”
“I want a better job”
“I want to make a difference”
“I want a leadership role in AFP”
“I want to advance my
profession”
“I want to increase public
respect for fundraising”
“I want to be a better steward
of the philanthropic process”
“I want to be taken seriously”
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ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
What is a profession?
What is its qualification?
“A profession is an occupation
that requires extensive
training and the study and
mastery of specialized
knowledge, and usually has a
professional association,
ethical code and process of
certification or licensing.”
“COMPETENCE IS NOT ENOUGH!
Attainment of professional
stature requires a level of
bearing or comportment
involving both behavior and
attitudes that raise above
merely doing a job in a
competent manner.”
Wikipedia.org
Robert Carbone. Fund Raising as a Profession .
1989, P. 7.
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ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Some CFRE statistics:
Number of CFRE’s granted since inception (1981)
9,364
Number of current CFRE’s – worldwide (03/08)
5,378
Number of current candidates filing applications (07) 579
Number of current candidates qualified for the exam
527
Number of new CFRE’s granted during 2007
350
Number of newly re-certified CFRE’s in 2007
1,250
Number of examination sites available:
In USA & Canada: 300 All others worldwide: 12
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Is CFRE/ACFRE about “Advancement”?
Is/Will there be a new obligation?
Is/Will there be a new responsibility?
Is/Will there be a new opportunity?
Is/Will there be new duties we should take?
Is/Will there be an action we should take?
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Do we agree? CFRE & ACFRE is not about:
How much money we raise
Whether we are female or male
What salary we make
What level position we hold
What type of nonprofit we serve
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Some statistics:
Speakers at this AFP conference
CFRE
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Total:
5 of 13 (38%)
3 of 10 (30%)
17 of 44 (39%)
29 of 58 (50%)
10 of 14 (71%)
64 of 139 (46%)
ACFRE
4 of 13 (31%)
2 of 10 (20%)
11 of 44 (25%)
10 of 58 (17%)
1 of 14 ( 7%)
28 of 139 (20%)
92 overall (66%)
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
What does it mean, beyond CFRE?
What should we expect, beyond ACFRE?
CFRE/ACFRE sets one apart from others
CFRE/ACFRE implies professionalism
CFRE/ACFRE implies a leadership role
CFRE/ACFRE asks us to be “more”
CFRE/ACFRE aids in our job credibility
CFRE/ACFRE means we can/should “act”
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Consider this … Does “act” mean we should … ?
“Nurture networks
Continually adapt
Empower others
Invest in the basics
Focus on impact & change”
James Gelatt, Contributions, Vol. 22, #1, 2008
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Consider these “actions” … CFRE and ACFRE
Are we advocates for ethical fundraising?
Are we speakers & teachers of philanthropy?
Are we students of a culture of philanthropy?
Are we advocates to philanthropists?
Are we being philanthropic enough?
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Some ACFRE statistics:
Number of candidates since inception (1993)
Number of current candidates in process
Number of total ACFRE’s granted since 1993
Number of ACFRE’s by year since inception:
1993:
1997:
2001:
2005:
18
3
12
4
1994:
1998:
2002:
2006:
6
3
6
2
1995:
1999:
2003:
2007:
3
3
1
2
1996:
2000:
2004:
2008:
176
14
82 (47%)
3
9
6
1
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Now, consider this ….
“Are you living for philanthropy?
Or
Are you living off philanthropy?”
Robert Payton, 1988
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
What is the future for a CFRE? For an ACFRE?
Linked to a role in AFP, AHP, CASE or others?
Linked to our advancing this profession?
Is a “step-up” option we should take?
Is our license to be more outspoken?
Is in danger of becoming complacent?
Is limited to just who/what we are now?
Is only a personal goal? A certificate?
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ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Given all options, what’s your choice?
For those who aspire to retain their CFRE …
Maintain my full-time professional employment
Continue my fundraising skills and practice
Maintain my continuing education in the field
Continue my active engagement as a volunteer
Be an active advocate for certification to others
Apply for my re-certification as soon as eligible
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ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Given all options, what’s your choice?
For those who aspire to apply for ACFRE …
Will it affect my full-time professional employment?
Will it improve my fundraising skills and practice?
Will it aid my continuing education in the field?
Will it improve my active engagement as a volunteer?
Will I be a more effective advocate for certification to others?
Will I submit my ACFRE application as soon as I’m eligible?
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ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Given all options, what’s your choice?
For those who apply to become an ACFRE …
Study the four stages in the application
Study the eight domains in the exam
Read selections from the ACFRE bibliography
Prepare to commit to the entire process
Seek out and use a mentor as your guide
Understand “why” you want to do this
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Given all options, what’s your choice?
For those who have their ACFRE …
Teaching? Consulting? Speaking? Writing?
Advocacy? Giving? Mentoring? Studying?
Community service? Consulting service?
Actively pursue a top leadership position?
(e.g. CEO, ED, Board, Senior VP, or ?)
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
And, speaking of leadership …
“The majority of nonprofit leaders are boomers
who first reached 60 on January 1, 2006 .
How much longer will they work?
Are there replacements enough?
Are they prepared to lead?”
The Philanthropist, September 2007, p. 128
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
“It is estimated that 3 out of 4 executive directors
will likely leave their jobs in the next 5 years.”
Daring to Lead 2006: A National Study of Nonprofit Executive Leadership,
Compasspoint Nonprofit Series and Meyer Foundation
“The Nonprofit Sectors Leadership Deficit study
estimates 640,000 new leaders will need to be
found over the next 10 years.”
The BridgeSpan Group
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
“Further, a Canadian Study on the same model as
Compasspoint found that 2 out of 3 nonprofit
executives among 19,000 nonprofits, are women,
and 36% of respondents see a new challenge
within the next 2 years. And 82% expected to
leave in the next five years.”
Taking Philanthropy Seriously: Beyond Noble Intentions to Responsible Giving.
William Damon and Susan Verducci, editors. Indiana University Press, 2006.
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Consider this …
We have options . And help …
You are hereby anointed as an …
“AC”
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
“AC”
=
“Advanced Catalyst” for
Accountability for your performance
Advocating a culture of philanthropy
Accepting a leadership role
Continuous strategic planning
Practicing stewardship (donors & gifts)
Measuring and reporting results as outcomes
Reporting community benefits delivered
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
And, lastly, consider this ….
“In our every deliberation
we must consider the impact of
our decisions on the next
seven generations.”
The Great Law of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederation
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Where do we each go from here?
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“ACFRE Means Something … Doesn’t It?”
Final Comments?
Any Questions? Any Discussion?
James M. Greenfield, ACFRE, FAHP
J. M. Greenfield & Associates
Email: [email protected] Web: www.fundrazer.com
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