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Certification

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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).

Who should pursue certification? 

  • Anyone currently employed in the field of health care resource development and management
  • Health care resource development professionals who want to challenge themselves and jump-start their careers
  • Specialists in one aspect of health care resource development who want to develop more general knowledge and skills and learn how their activities fit into their organizations overall fundraising program
  • Consultants to health care resource development and management
  • Professionals employed in related fields (such as public relation, marketing, or fundraising for causes other than health care) who wish to pursue or maintain professional credentials in the health care arena

CFRE

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.

The Certified Fundraising Executive program is open to any eligible fundraising professional, regardless of professional association affiliation. All potential candidates must meet the following qualifications:

  • Paid, professional Employment for a minimum of five (5) of the most recent eight (8) years, allowing for employment gaps;
  • A minimum of 80 points in Education, consisting of points awarded for academic education and continuing education (1 point per clock-hour or .1 CEU). CFRE candidates are expected to have participated in on-going educational activities.
  • A minimum of 60 points in the area of Performance. Points are earned for actual dollars raised (1 point per $25,000) and/or for major communications efforts (i.e., public relations campaigns) and/or management projects (i.e., long-range strategic planning.
  • A minimum of 55 points in the area of Service which looks at a candidate's personal commitment to the spirit of philanthropy through participation in professional associations and/or community organizations (i.e., local church, youth groups, etc.) 

The program consists of an evaluation of a candidate's experience, fundraising accomplishments, post-high school education, professional continuing education, and service to the profession and society. In addition, the candidate's employment history is verified and the candidate's knowledge of fundraising principles and techniques is measured by a written, multiple choice examination.

For more information about the CFRE program, please visit the CFRE website.

FAHP

The Fellow of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (FAHP) is a designation bestowed on AHP members who have made significant contributions to the health care philanthropy profession. The Fellow designation recognizes a career of achievement. 

Representing fewer than 2% of AHP members, the FAHP is awarded to those who truly demonstrate professional excellence and a commitment to health care philanthropy.

Becoming a Fellow of AHP signifies a high level of accomplishment and expertise in health care philanthropy. The designation assures the public that their donations are in the hands of a professional. On your resume, your AHP Fellow designation tells current and prospective employers that you have met a recognized standard of excellence and have reached the top of your profession.


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AHP Congratulates Our Members on Becoming CFREs!

Becoming a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) signals commitment, competence and credibility. To become a CFRE, fundraising professionals must document their professional performance, education and professional practice as well as pass the CFRE exam.

We are proud to recognize these members for their accomplishment of becoming CFREs during the most recent CFRE testing window:

Christy  Duncan, CFRE, Sr. Regional Development Specialist, Samaritan Health Foundation, Lebanon, OR
Terrence Egan, CFRE, Executive Director, Conway Medical Center Foundation, Myrtle Beach, SC
Mary Ann Kiely, CFRE, Chief Development Officer, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, FL
James Konschnik, CFRE, Director of Development, Major Gifts, Miami Transplant Institute, Miami, FL
Shannon LaHay, CFRE, Executive Director, Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Foundation, Goderich, ON
Ann Leuprecht, CFRE, Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Bozeman Health Foundation, Great Falls, MO
Melissa Marion, CFRE, Monongahela Valley Hospital, Monongahela, PA.
Jonathan McCoy, CFRE, Director of Annual Giving, INTEGRIS Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
Shawn Powers, CFRE, CMN Regional Program Coordinator, Regional Health Foundation, Rapid City, SD
Paul Richardson, CFRE, President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, Sequoia Hospital Foundation, San Francisco, CA
Elizabeth Rottman, CFRE, Manager of Annual Giving, Loyola University Health Foundation, Maywood, IL
Paul Scherschel, CFRE, Foundation Manager and Senior Gift Officer, Prairie Heart Foundation, Springfield, IL
Cynthia Sherwood, CFRE, Vice President of Development, Glens Falls Hospital Foundation, Glen Falls, NY
Lauren Smith, CFRE, Director of Community Relations and Development, Fairview Hospital Foundation, Great Barrington, MA
Robin Trout, CFRE, Director of Philanthropic Resources, Office of Development, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Jennifer Wilkerson, CFRE, Chief Strategy Officer, Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, MD

Point Tracker

Point Tracker

The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential recognizes your commitment to personal and professional achievement. It demonstrates an individual's mastery of the standards set for core knowledge and skills that fundraising executives should possess after five years of experience. The CFRE International certification process consists of two parts: 1) a written application and 2) a written examination. Candidates must meet the requirements of the written application before they may take the exam.