AHP Certification

AHP's Certification Program, established in 1975, allows members to achieve professional recognition by documenting experience and testing knowledge in health care resource development. Currently, there are two levels of achievement in the program: the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and the Fellow (FAHP).

The Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) is the baseline designation for a unified credentialing program designed specifically for fundraising executives. This program is administered by the independent CFRE Professional Certification Board which consists of representatives from the participating partner organizations. At present, these include AHP, the Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE), the National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC), the National Council for Resource Development (NCRD), and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). It was created to provide a single, credible industry-wide process for identifying practitioners who meet the standards for the fundraising profession. The CFRE program is open to all individuals meeting the eligibility requirements, regardless of affiliation with a professional association.

AHP's second and highest level of achievement is the designation of Fellow (FAHP). Elevation to the status of Fellow in AHP is the top level of achievement in the field of health care resource development. Attaining the Fellow designation is recognition of individual professional distinction, earned through dedication and continual self advancement and demonstrated commitment to ethical standards of professional practice.