CERTIFIED FUNDRAISING EXECUTIVE
EXAM (CFRE) QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A INSTANT
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1. What is the primary purpose of donor prospect research?
A. To create marketing campaigns
B. To document past gifts
C. To identify individuals with capacity, affinity, and linkage to give
D. To manage volunteer committees
Rationale: Prospect research focuses on identifying prospective donors
with the ability and interest to give to the organization.
2. Which is a key ethical consideration in fundraising?
A. Maximizing solicitation frequency
B. Respecting donor privacy and confidentiality
C. Sharing donor data freely
D. Prioritizing revenue over stewardship
Rationale: Ethical fundraising requires protecting donor information and
respecting privacy.
3. When acknowledging a donation, the most essential factor is:
A. Gift size
B. Speed of delivery
C. Donor age
D. Donor’s public recognition
, Rationale: Prompt acknowledgement reinforces gratitude and meets
ethical standards.
4. The first prospects asked to support a campaign should typically be:
A. New donors
B. Board members
C. Competitors’ donors
D. Random individuals
Rationale: Board members are usually cultivated first due to their
commitment and leadership role.
5. What does SWOT stand for in nonprofit planning?
A. Strategy, Workload, Operations, Time
B. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
C. Systems, Workflow, Options, Testing
D. Skills, Wealth, Outreach, Teamwork
Rationale: SWOT is a common strategic planning tool used in nonprofit
management.
6. Which function is key in donor stewardship?
A. Ignoring feedback
B. Maintaining ongoing communication with donors
C. Soliciting without recognition
D. Delegating donor contact entirely to volunteers
Rationale: Stewardship involves continuous engagement with donors
post-gift.
7. A gift acceptance policy helps an organization:
A. Accept all gifts without review
B. Define what types of gifts are appropriate and manageable
C. Eliminate the need for board approval
D. Focus on unrestricted donations only
Rationale: Gift acceptance policies guide ethical and operational decisions
regarding gifts.
, 8. What is a “lead gift” in major gift fundraising?
A. A pledge that is never paid
B. A significant gift that inspires others to give
C. The first gift received chronologically
D. A gift from a volunteer
Rationale: Lead gifts encourage broader participation and set a standard
for giving.
9. In campaign planning, a feasibility study is used to:
A. Plan volunteer training
B. Set tax rates
C. Assess potential donor support and campaign goals
D. Recruit staff
Rationale: Feasibility studies evaluate readiness and support for a major
fundraising effort.
10.What is the main goal of a fundraising case statement?
A. To document expenses
B. To explain the need and inspire giving
C. To outline tax compliance
D. To report past fundraising results
Rationale: A case statement articulates the mission, needs, and rationale
for support.
11.A capital campaign is primarily designed to:
A. Raise operational funds
B. Attract volunteers
C. Fund major, long-term projects and infrastructure
D. Reduce board responsibilities
Rationale: Capital campaigns focus on large, often one-time investments.
12.Prospect rating helps a fundraiser determine:
A. Donor age
B. Donor capacity and likelihood to give
C. Volunteer hours
EXAM (CFRE) QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of donor prospect research?
A. To create marketing campaigns
B. To document past gifts
C. To identify individuals with capacity, affinity, and linkage to give
D. To manage volunteer committees
Rationale: Prospect research focuses on identifying prospective donors
with the ability and interest to give to the organization.
2. Which is a key ethical consideration in fundraising?
A. Maximizing solicitation frequency
B. Respecting donor privacy and confidentiality
C. Sharing donor data freely
D. Prioritizing revenue over stewardship
Rationale: Ethical fundraising requires protecting donor information and
respecting privacy.
3. When acknowledging a donation, the most essential factor is:
A. Gift size
B. Speed of delivery
C. Donor age
D. Donor’s public recognition
, Rationale: Prompt acknowledgement reinforces gratitude and meets
ethical standards.
4. The first prospects asked to support a campaign should typically be:
A. New donors
B. Board members
C. Competitors’ donors
D. Random individuals
Rationale: Board members are usually cultivated first due to their
commitment and leadership role.
5. What does SWOT stand for in nonprofit planning?
A. Strategy, Workload, Operations, Time
B. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
C. Systems, Workflow, Options, Testing
D. Skills, Wealth, Outreach, Teamwork
Rationale: SWOT is a common strategic planning tool used in nonprofit
management.
6. Which function is key in donor stewardship?
A. Ignoring feedback
B. Maintaining ongoing communication with donors
C. Soliciting without recognition
D. Delegating donor contact entirely to volunteers
Rationale: Stewardship involves continuous engagement with donors
post-gift.
7. A gift acceptance policy helps an organization:
A. Accept all gifts without review
B. Define what types of gifts are appropriate and manageable
C. Eliminate the need for board approval
D. Focus on unrestricted donations only
Rationale: Gift acceptance policies guide ethical and operational decisions
regarding gifts.
, 8. What is a “lead gift” in major gift fundraising?
A. A pledge that is never paid
B. A significant gift that inspires others to give
C. The first gift received chronologically
D. A gift from a volunteer
Rationale: Lead gifts encourage broader participation and set a standard
for giving.
9. In campaign planning, a feasibility study is used to:
A. Plan volunteer training
B. Set tax rates
C. Assess potential donor support and campaign goals
D. Recruit staff
Rationale: Feasibility studies evaluate readiness and support for a major
fundraising effort.
10.What is the main goal of a fundraising case statement?
A. To document expenses
B. To explain the need and inspire giving
C. To outline tax compliance
D. To report past fundraising results
Rationale: A case statement articulates the mission, needs, and rationale
for support.
11.A capital campaign is primarily designed to:
A. Raise operational funds
B. Attract volunteers
C. Fund major, long-term projects and infrastructure
D. Reduce board responsibilities
Rationale: Capital campaigns focus on large, often one-time investments.
12.Prospect rating helps a fundraiser determine:
A. Donor age
B. Donor capacity and likelihood to give
C. Volunteer hours
