Fundraising is a Profession

Guess what? I’m going to let you in on a little secret, fundraising is a profession.

Let me repeat that for the people in the back, fundraising is an real profession and career. For some reason, as professional fundraisers, we have unknowingly created the perception that being a fundraiser is not an actual career path. Do people not understand what we do? Most likely. Or perhaps, we just make it look too easy. Oh, you just ask people for money, that’s so simple OR my favorite, they compare planning fundraising events to just planning a party. How fun, right? Just planning a “party” for 600 guests and by the way… I need to raise over $700,000. Yeah, that’s so much fun. Yay. Now for the serious part, to my people who have chosen fundraising as a profession, we can do better.

There are several phenomenal groups that are dedicated to growing and educating fundraisers like us. The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), if you are not already a member, I suggest you become one, provide an array of educational workshops, webinars, training, conferences and networking opportunities. Check to see if there’s a Chapter near you. In order to provide a high level of integrity, which is important (if not the most important part of fundraising), AFP has created the Donor Bill of Rights, which ensures that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the public. This Bill outlines and provides a level of transparency that is vital to creating and maintaining ethical fundraising practices.

Another prestigious organization for fundraisers is CFRE International. There are only 7,500 Certified Fund Raising Executives (CFRE) in the WORLD. I, myself, am proud to say that I am a CFRE. In order to apply to sit for the exam. Yes, there is an actual proctored exam for this certification, just like obtaining your real estate or contractor’s license. The 200-question exam is in the Single Best Answer format, which taps into your higher order thinking skills, like judgement and critical analysis, rather than simple recall. You are required to have at least five years of professional fundraising experience, Professional Practice is 36 points, along with 80 Education points, and last but certainly not least, 55 points in Professional Performance, this could dollars raised.

So, the next time someone makes a knock at or downplays fundraising as a real career, take that as an opportunity to provide some facts and educate them about this wonderful virtuous profession that we have decided to dedicate our lives and hearts to… fundraising.