Hire a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) or not?

What are you getting when you hire someone that has successfully completed the certification process?

Earning the CFRE is a mark of distinction
that separates you from other fundraising professionals who have
yet to take this important career enhancing step. It indicates that you
have a strong commitment to the fundraising profession, you seek opportunities
to develop your skills and expertise, you take pride in serving
the philanthropic community and you hold yourself to the highest ethical principles.

Excepted from the CFRE 2009 Annual report

In 2009, 603 new candidates applied for certification, 474 were awarded the distinction. As of the end of 2009 there were a total of 5,137 Certified Fundraising Executives.

The process itself consists of documenting educational and practical experience. Then there is the "test". Two-hundred-twenty-five multiple choice questions from various areas of development. This is an international test so it is important to have a broad view of fundraising practices. The most important part of becoming a CFRE is studying for the test. No matter where the candidate's expertise may lie, the reading list guides the candidate to his/her weaker areas and allows him/her to create knowledge in an area of fundraising that he/she may not have been familiar with.

The benefits to the employer are many. My most creative time as a fundraiser was while I prepared for the test. Latching on to a CFRE study group or networking with other CFRE's will only make for a stronger fund raiser.

Staff Development

How do you keep your staff engaged in fund raising? For me even more than the mission it is that sizable check that arrives in the mail. I know I don't get to spend it on myself but it just feels good to see those zeros. For other fund raisers there is satisfaction and motivation when they see progress towards the greater good. It might be feeding the hungry or clothing the needy.

Sometimes your motivator is not enough. Let's face it these are tough times. Our country is going through some major financial changes that are effecting how we raise funds. It is difficult to get new money, we have to try new innovative ideas, resources are short. I love fund raising but it has its challenges.

To rejuvenate and get fired up, I was able to take a trip to South Carolina. I stayed in a beach house with 12 people and 5 dogs. I am not a fan of pets. To top it off I had poison ivy and was stung by a wasp. All in all it was a very relaxing vacation. So many times, I go out socially and end up talking about work. On this vacation I turned work completely off and just enjoyed my children their extended family, and my new grand dog, Lady Zsa Zsa.

I even had a chance to put away the fundraisng books I have been engulfed in and read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

The mission was still there when I got back but so were a few sizable checks. I am refreshed and ready for our up coming fashion show, Sroudfest, newsletter, annual appeal, etc.

My Board is NOT Doing Anything

What are you doing to encourage them to do something AKA fund raise? The development staff should show the board what they need, why they need it, and how they are going to get it. A little guidance goes a long way.

The Board President, Executive Director or a consultant can generate a discussion of what does it take to ensure the strength of the organization. At some point money will come up. Always talk about the financial challenges of the organization at your meetings. Usually, a board member will suggest a solution that can become contagious.

Consultants are great to introduce the process of fund raising. Beware, I have seen total boards reject the idea completely. They misunderstand their role and expect development staff to work as individuals when fundraising.

Give your board members tools. Practice your NPO’s elevator speech to raise awareness.
Ask your board members to host gatherings that inform community members of the NPO’s mission and developments. No ask is attempted at these gatherings.

Look for new board members that have contacts and the ability to give. Make sure their expectations are clearly stated before they agree to join the board.

Development staff should clearly state board member expectations. Start small and work each new board member to tasks as they feel comfortable.
Board members can:
Make Thank you calls
Generate in-kind donations
Encourage other board members to be active
Ask for a gift
Join a fundraising committee
Host a gathering (friend raising)
Give a gift (many foundations require 100% board participation)
Help strengthen a relationship
Invite someone for a tour

For more ideas read Fired-up Fundraising by Gail Perry

Grants for Health Screenings and more

Here is a grant opportunity that I recently came across. Watch my blog for more Grant Announcments in the future.

Pfizer Healthcare Charitable Contributions

NPO Requirements
Requestor is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization
Charitable contribution should directly address: patient education (including health screening); disease state patient advocacy; or improving patient access to care (affordability)
Pfizer does NOT receive any significant value in terms of goods or services in return for our donation

There is currently funding available in the following clinical areas:
--Arthritis & Pain Management
--Cardiovascular/Metabolic
--Endocrinology
--Hemophilia
--Infectious Disease (Bacterial, Fungal, Pneumococcal Disease Prevention)
--Neurology
Dementia
Depression
Diabetic Neuropathy
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Multiple Sclerosis
Psychosis
--Oncology
--Ophthalmology
--Pulmonary Hypertension
--Respiratory
--Rheumatology
--Transplantation
--Urology
--Women's Health

Easy and Inexpensive Tip

Here a simple way to be a good steward.
As soon as the fiscal year ends and before you get to busy, take a look at your last fiscal year donor list. Start at the highest level donor recognition categories. Make up a certificate of appreciation for your donor. Name the category that they reached. Choose a simple gift that matches the category name or something inexpensive that represents your NPO.
Pay a visit to your donor and present the certificate and gift. Use this time to talk about new programs or something special that is going on with your NPO.

Pepsi Refresh Project Round Two

Well we ended at 39. (Last time we were at 57) The whole process is very time consuming and really is an experiment in social media.

Just because you ask them to vote doesn't mean they will. Pepsi also does not make the voting process fast. You are often taken around in circles on the website before you vote is actually cast.

Devereux is once again automatically entered into the contest for the month of August since we are in the top 100. Please check our page out on the Pepsi Refresh website. We received over 20,000 votes in two months but more importantly was the awareness the whole process gave our center.