5 Ways You Can Earn Free CFRE Credits

If you’re a CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive), maintaining your certification takes a lot of time and effort—-but does it also have to require money? 

No! There are several ways to earn free CFRE credits, allowing you to keep your skills sharp and your certification up to date without shelling out too much cash.

In this post, we’ll explore five different ways that you can earn CFRE credits for free. We’ll tell you right now that our favorite method is to attend Neon One’s (totally free and totally virtual) Generosity Xchange conference happening this year on October 16 and 17, 2024.

But first, let’s break down how the CFRE credit system works and what you need to know to get started.

Here’s How CFRE Credits Work

CFRE certification isn’t a lifetime appointment. Professionals have to apply for recertification once every three years—and earning CFRE credits for ongoing education is a crucial part of that process. 

Here’s a quick rundown of how it all works.

To apply for recertification, you must earn a minimum of 45 points in the Education category. These points are accumulated through various continuing education activities such as attending sessions, presenting, and authoring.

Points are awarded based on the time spent on educational activities. For attending one of these opportunities, you can earn one point per 45-60 minutes of instruction. And if you’re the presenter, then you can earn points worth two to three times the instructional time, depending on whether the material is pre-developed or newly created.

When it comes to authoring material, Points vary by what’s being authored, with 5 points for articles, 15 points for book chapters, and 30 points for books.

All told, you can earn up to 36 points annually through presenting sessions and up to 30 points through authoring materials. At least 20% of your total education points must come from sessions led by presenters outside your own organization.

Keeping detailed records is essential. You may need to provide certificates, bibliographic citations, or other proof when reporting your activities to CFRE International.

Got all that? Awesome, now let’s dive into the five primary ways that you and your colleagues can earn free CFRE credits.

1. Attend Free Conferences (Like Generosity Xchange)

Conferences and summits are fantastic for networking, learning, and, yes, earning those sweet, sweet CFRE credits. While nonprofit conferences have registration fees, there are also free options that offer just as much value.

If you’re looking to earn multiple CFRE credits in one go, the virtual Generosity Xchange summit is a must. Obviously, we’re a little biased, as Generosity Xchange is a Neon One event—but it’s still one of the best (and cheapest) options you’ll have all year long to both earn credit and genuinely learn some new things. 

This event—designed specifically for nonprofit professionals—features expert speakers, interactive workshops, and plenty of networking opportunities. Every session at Generosity Xchange is CFRE-accredited, so you can walk away with between four to eight credits at no cost to you.

Before attending any conference, plan your schedule around the sessions that will be most beneficial to your career. Engage actively with speakers and attendees, and don’t forget to document everything. 

Keep in mind, too, that if you’re earning more than 7 points in one day, CFRE International will require additional documentation—so keep those records handy!

2. Sign Up for Free Webinars & Online Training Sessions

Webinars are one of the easiest and most flexible ways to earn CFRE credits. Whether you’re at home, at work, or on the go, you can tune into expert-led sessions that not only expand your knowledge but also contribute to your certification.

Remember, at least 20% of your CFRE credits need to come from external presenters—so be strategic in choosing webinars. Make sure to log every session you attend, noting the time spent and the content covered. This will make reporting your credits a breeze.

To find an organization that offers CFRE-approved courses, just search the Approved Provider list on CFRE International’s website.

3. Volunteer for Fundraising Organizations

Volunteering not only gives back to the community but also helps you earn CFRE credits. It’s a win-win scenario that allows you to apply your skills in real-world situations while fulfilling certification requirements.

Serving on a nonprofit board or as a mentor can earn you 2 points per year.  Even if you’re not in a leadership position, general volunteer work counts too—earning 1 point per year.

You can earn up to 10 points through volunteer work for your CFRE recertification. Just be sure to keep detailed records of your activities, as CFRE International might ask for proof of your involvement.

4. Present at Workshops, Seminars, and Conferences

Presenting is one of the most impactful ways to earn CFRE credits. Not only does it allow you to share your expertise, but it also earns you points at a faster rate than simply attending sessions.

Reusing previously developed content? You’ll earn points at a 1:2 ratio—so a 60-minute presentation gives you 2 points. Meanwhile, if you’re creating content from scratch, you’ll earn points at a 1:3 ratio—meaning a 60-minute session could earn you 3 points.

You can earn up to 36 points annually through presenting, so be sure to document all aspects of your presentation, from preparation to delivery, and keep your materials on hand. This way, you’ll be ready to submit everything needed to CFRE International for credit approval.

5. Write Published Materials

Writing for industry publications is another excellent way to earn CFRE credits while contributing to the field. Whether you’re penning an article, a book chapter, or an entire book, your written work can significantly boost your credit tally.

Write an article of at least 500 words on a fundraising-related topic, and you’ll earn 5 points. Ensure the article is published by a recognized outlet, as self-published works do not qualify.

Contribute a chapter to a book, and you can earn 15 points. Again, it must be published by a reputable source.

Authoring a full book can net you 30 points, making it one of the most efficient ways to earn credits. Then again, the fact that you could write an entire book about fundraising and still not earn all your CFRE credits still seems a bit odd to us, but that’s just our two cents.

When claiming these credits, provide a full bibliographic citation and a copy of the publication. Remember, only works published after your last certification or recertification are eligible for points.

Earn Free CFRE Credits at Generosity Xchange

Maintaining your CFRE certification doesn’t have to break the bank. By strategically selecting free educational opportunities, you can meet your continuing education requirements without spending a cent.

Ready to start earning those free credits? Register for the next Generosity Xchange summit today!