CFRE Certified Fund Raising Executive Practice Test
Fundraising certification covering current and prospective donor research, fundraising techniques, relationship building, and ethical fundraising standards. Administered by CFRE International. Key domains include Relationship Building, Securing the Gift, Leadership and Management and Current and Prospective Donor Research. The exam consists of 200 questions over 240 minutes.
Sample Questions
Try a few questions to see what the full exam is like.
A campaign chair asks for a list of "rich prospects" and says she will call them without staff involvement. The organization has no volunteer solicitor training, and several prospects have sensitive relationship notes in the CRM. What should the development director do?
A beneficiary introduces a fundraiser to a wealthy relative and says, "Please tell him my story so he gives." The beneficiary has not signed a media release and later seems unsure. What should the fundraiser do?
A third-party group wants to run a fundraiser using the nonprofit's name, collect donations in cash, and send a lump sum later. What should be required before approval?
A donor who funds a literacy program asks to meet "one of the children I helped" and take photos for social media. Staff can arrange a site visit but have strict child-safeguarding policies. Which stewardship plan is best?
A nonprofit plans a crowdfunding campaign using a platform that keeps donor email addresses unless donors opt in to share them. The team expects many first-time donors. What should be built into the campaign?
Why This Certification Opens Doors
In the real world, the CFRE credential translates directly into enhanced credibility and effectiveness. It provides a common, trusted framework for fundraising knowledge that is recognized globally by institutions and donors. For organizations, hiring or promoting a CFRE signals a commitment to proven, ethical fundraising practices, which can strengthen donor confidence and improve campaign outcomes. For the professional, it is a career milestone that often leads to greater responsibility, higher compensation, and a stronger professional network. Ultimately, it matters because it elevates the entire profession by establishing a benchmark for competency that ensures fundraising is conducted strategically, sustainably, and with integrity.
Exam Blueprint
Each domain is weighted to match the real certification exam, so a full practice simulation predicts your result.