CFRE GLOSSARY OF
FUNDRAISING TERMS
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+
2025-2026
Accountabily - ANS-The responsibility of a donee organization to keep a donor
informed about the use of the donor's gift. (See Donor Bill of Right's)
Acknowledge - ANS-To express gratitude for (a gift or service) in written or oral form,
communicated privately or publicly
Annual Fund - ANS-Any organized effort by a nonprofit institution or program to
secure gifts on an annual basis, either by mail or through direct solicitation, or both. It
includes gifts that are made in response to an annual fund solicitation to underwrite
budgeted expenses and are repeatable/replaceable. Frequently called Annual Appeal,
or Annual Giving Program.
Annual Gift - ANS-A donation given yearly to provide reliable monies for ongoing
programs and services
Benefit - ANS-A form of fundraising that involves the organization and staging of a
special event for charitable purposes, with all proceeds above expenses designated as a
charitable contribution to the charitable institution concerned.
Campaign - ANS-An organized effort to raise funds for a nonprofit organization
through solicitation by volunteers or by direct mail or both.
, Capital Campaign - ANS-A campaign to raise substantial funds for a nonprofit
organization to finance major building projects, to supplement endowment funds and
to meet other needs demanding extensive outlays of capital
Case - ANS-The combination of reasons advanced by an institution or agency in
justifying its appeals for support, with emphasis on its past, present and potential
services. One of the three basic pedestals upon which fundraising success must rest.
The others are Leadership and fields of support.
Case Statement - ANS-A carefully prepared document that sets forth in detail the
reasons why an institution or agency merits support with substantial documentation
of its services, its Human Resources, its potential for greater service, its needs and its
future plans.
Charitable Gift Annuity - ANS-As stipulated in an irrevocable contract, a fixed sum of
money paid at certain regulars times by a charity to a donor or other designated
beneficiary, or both, in exchange for the donor's gift of cash or property
Charitable Institution - ANS-Any private institution or agency that operates on a
nonprofit basis for the public good and which is therefore exempt from taxation, with
the exception of commercial operations in which it may be involved.
Constituency - ANS-A category of donors and prospective donors, such as alumni,
parents, members, staff doctors, former patients, and in a broader sense, individuals,
corporations and foundations
CRA - ANS-Canada Revenue Agency
Cultivation - ANS-The process of gradually developing the interest of an important
prospective contributor through exposure to institutional activities, people, needs and
plans to the point where a major gift may be considered.
Deferred Gift - ANS-A vested future interest in properly created to benefit a charitable
institution. Current value is ascertainable using actuarial tables.
FUNDRAISING TERMS
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+
2025-2026
Accountabily - ANS-The responsibility of a donee organization to keep a donor
informed about the use of the donor's gift. (See Donor Bill of Right's)
Acknowledge - ANS-To express gratitude for (a gift or service) in written or oral form,
communicated privately or publicly
Annual Fund - ANS-Any organized effort by a nonprofit institution or program to
secure gifts on an annual basis, either by mail or through direct solicitation, or both. It
includes gifts that are made in response to an annual fund solicitation to underwrite
budgeted expenses and are repeatable/replaceable. Frequently called Annual Appeal,
or Annual Giving Program.
Annual Gift - ANS-A donation given yearly to provide reliable monies for ongoing
programs and services
Benefit - ANS-A form of fundraising that involves the organization and staging of a
special event for charitable purposes, with all proceeds above expenses designated as a
charitable contribution to the charitable institution concerned.
Campaign - ANS-An organized effort to raise funds for a nonprofit organization
through solicitation by volunteers or by direct mail or both.
, Capital Campaign - ANS-A campaign to raise substantial funds for a nonprofit
organization to finance major building projects, to supplement endowment funds and
to meet other needs demanding extensive outlays of capital
Case - ANS-The combination of reasons advanced by an institution or agency in
justifying its appeals for support, with emphasis on its past, present and potential
services. One of the three basic pedestals upon which fundraising success must rest.
The others are Leadership and fields of support.
Case Statement - ANS-A carefully prepared document that sets forth in detail the
reasons why an institution or agency merits support with substantial documentation
of its services, its Human Resources, its potential for greater service, its needs and its
future plans.
Charitable Gift Annuity - ANS-As stipulated in an irrevocable contract, a fixed sum of
money paid at certain regulars times by a charity to a donor or other designated
beneficiary, or both, in exchange for the donor's gift of cash or property
Charitable Institution - ANS-Any private institution or agency that operates on a
nonprofit basis for the public good and which is therefore exempt from taxation, with
the exception of commercial operations in which it may be involved.
Constituency - ANS-A category of donors and prospective donors, such as alumni,
parents, members, staff doctors, former patients, and in a broader sense, individuals,
corporations and foundations
CRA - ANS-Canada Revenue Agency
Cultivation - ANS-The process of gradually developing the interest of an important
prospective contributor through exposure to institutional activities, people, needs and
plans to the point where a major gift may be considered.
Deferred Gift - ANS-A vested future interest in properly created to benefit a charitable
institution. Current value is ascertainable using actuarial tables.
