CFRE International
CFRE International administers the ANSI/ANAB-accredited Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential, the only internationally recognized certification for fundraising professionals, serving 7,700+ holders across 30+ countries through a 200-question exam, triennial recertification, and a network of 30+ Participating Organizations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersAlexandru Vlahuta, Romania
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What CFRE International does
CFRE International is a privately held professional certification organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, founded in 1981 to administer the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential — the only internationally recognized, ANSI/ANAB accredited certification for fundraising professionals, accredited under IEC/ISO/17024 standards for personnel certification bodies. The organization serves individual fundraising professionals seeking to demonstrate competency in ethical fundraising across six knowledge domains (donor research, securing the gift, relationship building, volunteer involvement, leadership and management, and ethics/accountability), as well as nonprofit employers seeking to identify qualified fundraising staff and graduate programs embedding the credential into coursework.
The core technology is a 200-question multiple-choice standardized examination administered globally at Pearson VUE test centers, with an approximately 70% pass rate. The application and eligibility review process is point-based, and credential holders must recertify every three years through a written application demonstrating continuing education points (tracked via My Education Finder) without re-examination. Supporting the credential are the CFRE Central online community, the Leading Edge weekly e-newsletter reaching 32,000+ subscribers, a CFRE Learning Lab continuing education platform, a Find a CFRE verification directory, and a CFRE Job Center for employer placement.
CFRE International generates revenue through five streams: initial certification application and examination fees, recurring three-year recertification fees, monthly CFRE Practice Exam subscriptions (via TestRun), advertising revenue on CFRE Central and the e-newsletter (via MultiView), and merchandise sales through a CafePress-powered CFRE Store. Distribution relies on a network of 30+ Participating Organizations (including AFP, Girl Scouts of the USA, and Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy) that promote the credential to members and offer a 20% discount. The credential holder base exceeds 7,700 professionals across 30+ countries.
CFRE International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CFRE International
- Legal name
- CFRE International
- Website
- https://cfre.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- CFRE International administers the ANSI/ANAB-accredited Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential, the only internationally recognized certification for fundraising professionals, serving 7,700+ holders across 30+ countries through a 200-question exam, triennial recertification, and a network of 30+ Participating Organizations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CFRE International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Certification Services
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Finance, Accounting & Risk (CFA/CPA/FRM) Certifications (EDAAANAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Financial Services & Insurance (FINRA, CFP, IAR, Insurance CE) (EDAAALAJ)
Keywords
Where CFRE International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alexandru Vlahuta
- HQ country
- Romania
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
CFRE International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Initial Certification Fees: Fees charged for initial CFRE certification application and examination process. Includes eligibility review and authorization to test at Pearson test sites.
- Recertification Fees: Recertification required every three years, consisting of a written application demonstrating ongoing commitment to the fundraising profession. Fee is not waived for special circumstances status holders.
- CFRE Practice Exam: Online practice examination subscription through TestRun partner, offering questions to help candidates identify strengths and areas for additional study.
- Advertising Revenue: Advertising opportunities on CFRE Central online community and Leading Edge e-newsletter (32,000+ subscribers) through MultiView partnership.
- CFRE Store: Merchandise sales through CFRE Store (CafePress) featuring branded apparel and items for certified professionals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Standard initial certification for individuals without membership discount |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Recertification every three years |
| Subscription | Monthly | CFRE Practice Exam subscription |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
CFRE International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CFRE International administers the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential, the only internationally recognized, ANSI/ANAB accredited certification (IEC/ISO/17024) for fundraising professionals. The offering combines a point-based eligibility application, a standardized 200-question multiple-choice examination delivered at Pearson VUE test centers, and a mandatory three-year recertification cycle, supported by continuing education resources and an online community for credential holders.
Product overview
CFRE International offers a portfolio of professional certification and education products for the fundraising sector. The core offering is the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential, an ANSI/ANAB accredited certification based on IEC/ISO/17024 standards, which is the only internationally recognized certification for fundraising professionals. The certification process encompasses initial certification via a written examination at Pearson VUE test sites, a three-year recertification cycle, and a preparatory practice exam developed with TestRun. Supporting the credential are continuing education products including My Education Finder (a searchable program directory), the CFRE Learning Lab, and an online community platform called CFRE Central. Additional member services include a certification directory for verifying certificant status, the CFRE Job Center for career placement, the CFRE Store for branded merchandise, and the My CFRE Account portal for managing certification and applications. The company also publishes the 'Leading Edge' e-newsletter sent to over 32,000 subscribers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CFRE Certification (Initial Certification)
- CFRE Exam
- CFRE Recertification
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% exam pass rate
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use CFRE International
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
CFRE International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CFRE International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Girl Scouts of the USAcoreGirl Scouts of the USA became the newest CFRE Participating Organization. Through 111 councils across the United States and more than 92 countries through USA Girl Scouts Oversees, Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character. Fundraising professionals working for GSUSA receive a 20 percent discount on CFRE initial certification and recertification.
- Indiana University Lilly Family School of PhilanthropycoreCFRE International and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy announced that CFRE certification can now be used to fulfill course requirements for the graduate-level PHST-P558 Principles and Practices of Fundraising course, as well as elective requirements for the school's M.A. in Philanthropic Studies.
- MultiViewminorCFRE International partnered with North America's largest B2B publisher to offer exclusive advertising opportunities on CFRE Central - CFRE International's online community. MultiView is a portfolio company of the Stagwell Group, headquartered in Irving, Texas.
- Pearson VUEcoreProfessional testing agency for CFRE examination administration at Pearson test sites worldwide. Candidates receive their Authorization to Test (ATT) letter and schedule examinations at Pearson VUE centers.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CFRE International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management): SHRM administers SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP professional HR certifications. Comparable as a professional association offering accredited personnel certification with mandatory continuing education and recertification cycles.
- Project Management Institute (PMI): PMI administers the PMP and other globally recognized professional certifications with comparable accreditation structures. Directly comparable as an accredited professional certification body with recurring recertification revenue and global certificant base.
- (ISC)²: (ISC)² administers the CISSP and other cybersecurity professional certifications under ANSI/ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation. Closely comparable model: accredited personnel certification, recurring recertification, employer-driven demand.
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): NBCC administers the NCC credential for professional counselors. Comparable model: accredited personnel certification body with mandatory continuing education, ethics standards, and recertification cycles.
- International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA): IIBA administers CBAP and other business analysis certifications. Comparable as a professional association offering globally recognized credentials with recertification cycles and continuing education requirements.
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE): ACFE administers the CFE credential for fraud examination professionals. Comparable model: ethics-focused certification, member-driven professional body, recurring recertification, and global geographic reach.
- CFP Board (Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards): CFP Board administers the CFP certification, the leading professional credential in financial planning. Comparable model: ANSI-accredited certification, 3-year recertification cycle, ethics-centered standards, and employer-driven adoption.
Broad incumbents
- American Institute of CPAs (AICPA): AICPA is a much larger professional body offering the CPA credential plus additional certifications. Broader incumbent operating across accounting, finance, and technology credentials with deeper resources than CFRE.
Others
- Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP): AFP is the primary professional association for fundraisers and a Participating Organization that actively promotes CFRE to its members. Adjacent rather than competitive, as AFP endorses CFRE rather than offering a competing credential.
Emerging players
- Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP): AHP is a vertical-specific professional body in healthcare fundraising that offers the CHFE credential. Represents a potential competing niche credential targeting a fundraising subset that could erode CFRE's generalist positioning.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CFRE International compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
CFRE International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CFRE International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
CFRE International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CFRE International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CFRE International
What does CFRE International do?
CFRE International administers the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential, the only internationally recognized, ANSI/ANAB accredited certification (IEC/ISO/17024) for fundraising professionals. The offering combines a point-based eligibility application, a standardized 200-question multiple-choice examination delivered at Pearson VUE test centers, and a mandatory three-year recertification cycle, supported by continuing education resources and an online community for credential holders.
Is CFRE International a public or private company?
CFRE International is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was CFRE International founded?
CFRE International was founded in 1981.
Where is CFRE International based?
CFRE International is headquartered in Alexandru Vlahuta, Romania, in the Europe region.
How does CFRE International make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Initial Certification Fees are the primary driver. The others are recertification Fees, CFRE Practice Exam, advertising Revenue and CFRE Store.
Who are CFRE International's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), Project Management Institute (PMI), (ISC)², National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and CFP Board (Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards). American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is listed as a broad incumbent. Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is listed as an others. Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) is listed as an emerging player.
Does CFRE International have an API?
No public API is recorded for CFRE International.
What industry is CFRE International in?
CFRE International's product category is Professional Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAANAD, Finance, Accounting & Risk (CFA/CPA/FRM) Certifications, with a secondary code of EDAAALAJ, Financial Services & Insurance (FINRA, CFP, IAR, Insurance CE). Its SIC code is 8200.