Folly #60: Certifications

Do funders care? Do they make us better fundraisers?

Being in San Luis Obispo celebrating my son’s graduation from CalPoly got me to thinking … are fundraising certifications (or degrees) something that funders value? More importantly, do they make us better fundraisers?

Those who know me well also know that I have some unorthodox views on education. Someone’s practical experience, grit, problem solving, and way with people impress me a heck of a lot more than certifications or degrees from “prestigious” schools.

So it probably goes without saying that I have not gone through the process to be a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), although I’m proudly a member of the Association of Fundraising Executives and serve on the board of Development Executives Roundtable. I’ve also added my free fundraising class on mainstream platforms like Teachable and Eventbrite (at communitygrantwriters.teachable.com and freefundraising.eventbrite.com) to encourage folks from all backgrounds to learn fundraising skills that can come in handy as a nonprofit volunteer or in a career transition to the sector.

Yet many colleagues whom I admire greatly have the CFRE in their bio. So I’m curious.

Is it equitable?

I feel passionately about fundraising as an accessible career pathway. In addition to the two membership organizations above, there are wonderful support networks for nonprofits – Maryland Nonprofits is one that comes to mind, and there are many others that are regional, statewide and national.

(If you clicked that link, you may have seen their “Licensed Consultant Training” on the Maryland Nonprofits’s website. Ironically that could be incredibly useful because, until recently, I was unaware of the fundraising consultant registry that was part of last week’s folly. So even I appear to have a range of feelings about this!)

Let’s be real. Cost and time are real barriers to pursuing degrees. So what exactly do these credentials programs support, besides their own revenue model charging participants to get the credential? And then to keep it active through continuing education units (CEUs)?

What do you think?

I hope readers will have strong reactions and that you will share them in comments below! For example…

Funders, I’ve never seen a question asking whether someone has a CFRE or other credential. (And please don’t add one to your grant applications!) Do you support this kind of learning? Have you seen that it adds value?

Fundraisers, how have these credentials helped you serve the needs of nonprofits? Why are they better than informal mentoring or networking through some of the fundraising groups I mention here?

This Folly is really a query. Why do we offer programs that add barriers to entering fundraising careers?

AFP, DER and statewide groups like Maryland Nonprofits create community to learn fundraising best practices. What’s your favorite?

There is no question that these networks offer a spirit of connection. And that provides essential learning and the ability to share best practices.

At a recent AFP social gathering we were sharing our experiences with various donor databases. Now that is essential learning!

As a Follies reader you know I’m all about community. But are these credentials and degrees making our community better?