CERTIFIED FUND RAISING EXECUTIVE (CFRE) EXAM STUDY
GUIDE | QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | NEW 2026/2027 UPDATE |
GRADED A+| 100% CORRECT (VERIFIED SOLUTIONS)
What questions should the mission statement? -
ANSWER
Who is the audience?
What's the geographical service area?
What is the desired outcome?
How do we achieve that outcome?
What are our activities?
What are the foundations for creating a culture of philanthropy at an organization? -
ANSWER
A clear sense of its mission.
A clear understanding of the constituency it serves, and how the mission will serve that
constituency.
A vision for the organization's direction.
An understanding of how the organization's activities serve the community.
A plan, a budget, and a clear way to communicate the importance of achieving both of those to the
public.
What are the tools an organization needs to support fundraising? -
ANSWER
-Staffing for research. development professionals need to know how to manage against going down
the "know everything about a donor" rabbit hole, and spending all their time Googling.
-Resources for research. Participation records, public information, peer provided intelligence.
-Policies and practices in place to manage information (e.g. 3x5 cards or a database) and make sure
it's updated and well organized.
-An ongoing research and data management system which includes the ability to track relationships
and upcoming interactions while maintaining confidentiality
What is the proper way to report on gifts over a campaign? -
, ANSWER
Charts to track numbers of activities, number of gifts and gift amounts.
What is planning? -
ANSWER
Planning is a process of determining how to best achieve desired outcomes
What does a good plan do? -
ANSWER
Ensure that mission and purpose meets one or more constituency needs
Determines your focus- where you are going.
Outlines strategies for how you will get to where you are going.
Creates an awareness of what resources are needed to design, implement, monitor and evaluate the
organization's programs and strategies.
Helps you monitor your progress.
Strengthens accountability, who is going to do what by when.
Provides a foundation for management.
Positions the organization to maximize success.
Strategic plan vs. long range plan -
ANSWER
Long range planning is what is used to determine the vision of an organization where as strategic
planning is focused on a much shorter time-scale.
How long does a strategic plan last? -
ANSWER
3-5 years
What does a strategic plan do - 9 things? -
ANSWER
Names the major steps an organization will take to meet its goals.
Clarifies organizational values.
GUIDE | QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | NEW 2026/2027 UPDATE |
GRADED A+| 100% CORRECT (VERIFIED SOLUTIONS)
What questions should the mission statement? -
ANSWER
Who is the audience?
What's the geographical service area?
What is the desired outcome?
How do we achieve that outcome?
What are our activities?
What are the foundations for creating a culture of philanthropy at an organization? -
ANSWER
A clear sense of its mission.
A clear understanding of the constituency it serves, and how the mission will serve that
constituency.
A vision for the organization's direction.
An understanding of how the organization's activities serve the community.
A plan, a budget, and a clear way to communicate the importance of achieving both of those to the
public.
What are the tools an organization needs to support fundraising? -
ANSWER
-Staffing for research. development professionals need to know how to manage against going down
the "know everything about a donor" rabbit hole, and spending all their time Googling.
-Resources for research. Participation records, public information, peer provided intelligence.
-Policies and practices in place to manage information (e.g. 3x5 cards or a database) and make sure
it's updated and well organized.
-An ongoing research and data management system which includes the ability to track relationships
and upcoming interactions while maintaining confidentiality
What is the proper way to report on gifts over a campaign? -
, ANSWER
Charts to track numbers of activities, number of gifts and gift amounts.
What is planning? -
ANSWER
Planning is a process of determining how to best achieve desired outcomes
What does a good plan do? -
ANSWER
Ensure that mission and purpose meets one or more constituency needs
Determines your focus- where you are going.
Outlines strategies for how you will get to where you are going.
Creates an awareness of what resources are needed to design, implement, monitor and evaluate the
organization's programs and strategies.
Helps you monitor your progress.
Strengthens accountability, who is going to do what by when.
Provides a foundation for management.
Positions the organization to maximize success.
Strategic plan vs. long range plan -
ANSWER
Long range planning is what is used to determine the vision of an organization where as strategic
planning is focused on a much shorter time-scale.
How long does a strategic plan last? -
ANSWER
3-5 years
What does a strategic plan do - 9 things? -
ANSWER
Names the major steps an organization will take to meet its goals.
Clarifies organizational values.
