About The ACFRE Program
For more than twenty-five years, the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) credential has recognized individuals who have demonstrated the highest ethical standards, a commitment to life-long learning, and through practice and experience, the highest standards in professionalism and leadership. For an ACFRE, fundraising is not just a job, but a long-term career, and perhaps even a calling.
Because it signals the highest level of achievement bestowed by AFP, the ACFRE can result in enhanced employability and salary, as well as meaningful networking connections with fellow senior fundraisers and top philanthropists. ACFRE certificants also serve as thought leaders, teachers, and mentors in the philanthropic sector.
History
The ACFRE was created out of the Advanced Credential Task Force, chaired by Russell Raker and appointed by then-AFP (NSFRE) chair Del Staecker. In 1991, the task force completed the written examination component of the advanced credential program, and the first ACFRE examinations were administered in 1992. The first credentials were conferred in 1993 to 18 individuals: Ted D. Bayley; Mary Anne Chern; C. Neal Davis, Ph.D.; John P. Demoleas; Lona M. Farr, Ph.D.; Simone P. Joyaux; Zoltan A. Karpathy; Barbara R. Levy; David J. Madson; William M. Moran; J. Russell Raker III; Charlotte Rhodes; Del Staecker; Dennis Stefanacci; Dana R. Todsen; B. Jeanne Williams; Karla A. Williams; and Marjorie A. Winkler.
The Advanced Certified Fundraising Professional Program is a credentialing program of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. It is not directly affiliated with CFRE International, which is an independent, accredited certification program. For information about the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), visit cfre.org.