EFA to revise Advanced Framework in line with developments in fundraising

EFA’s 2024 Certification Symposium took place in Helsinki last month, with a varied programme centred around the key topics of fundraising education and EFA Certification – including news of forthcoming revisions to the EFA Advanced Framework.

Starting on 25 April with dinner and a celebration of Finnish fundraising association VaLa’s 20^th anniversary, the Symposium then saw a full day of talks and workshops on 26 April, led by members of EFA’s Certification Committee and other expert consultants and trainers.

VaLa’s Pia Tornikoski & Tessa Robertsson

The programme took attendees through updates on EFA’s Standard and Advanced Frameworks, as well as insights into how to effectively launch and sustain fundraising educational pathways and build networks for effective collaboration. It also included an overview of the environment for fundraising and philanthropy in Finland and the role of fundraising education in helping nonprofits overcome the challenges, delivered by Ari Inkinen, director of administration at SOSTE.

Collaboration a key theme

Collaboration was a key theme of the Symposium, with Charities Institute Ireland’s Annelies Coghan discussing its role in improving fundraising practices, and why facilitating the sharing of materials and trainers is pivotal for fostering knowledge exchange and helping organisations get started with certified programmes. She also shared how the CII is working to encourage more fundraisers in Ireland to take its certificate and diploma.

In his session, consultant and trainer Timo Järvensivu presented ideas on how to create and manage vibrant strategic networks, including daily practice and strategic steps for successful management, and different types of networks and their pros and cons. His book on the topic is free to download: Managing (in) Networks – Learning, Working and Leading Together.

Shared experiences

Group discussion at the EFA Certification Symposium

Sessions also shared the experiences of a fundraiser that has benefitted from professional fundraising education, and of an educational provider.

Katariina Schmidt, partnerships manager at The Association of Friends of the University Children’s Hospitals, and Kummit / EFA Certification alumni talked about her personal journey to becoming a fundraising leader. Later, VaLa’s educational partner Rastor Institute provided an overview of how to start a good and qualified educational programme, including their experiences: from planning the course content, to aligning with EFA’s criteria, launching, and awarding their first certificates.

EFA Certification Frameworks – support & updates

Providing information on the EFA Certification process, Janet Phillips, from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and part of the EFA Certification Committee, took attendees through the stages to becoming EFA Certified, the support the Committee offers, and its plans for developing this further.

EFA Certification Committee

A workshop with Andrea Caracciolo di Feroleto and Francesca Lucci, ASSIF / EFA Certification Committee, was aimed at those already running a certified course. It focused on providing insights into key success factors for optimising educational programmes, as well as stumbling blocks to be avoided.

Moving on to the EFA Advanced Framework, the Committee’s Ian MacQuillin (Rogare) talked attendees through the plans for revision, the rationale behind this, and the new inclusions EFA plans to incorporate, including EDI and AI. This work has already begun and will be completed in 2025. It was also announced that the committee is working on ideas for some shorter educational modules, and to help with cross-national collaboration of lecturers and providers.

Chair of the EFA Certification Committee Paul Dalby then took a further look at the Advanced Framework, this time to discuss its role in promoting leadership.

The Symposium concluded with reflections on takeaways from the day by Dalby and Pia Tornikoski, secretary general of VaLa.

Commenting, Certification Committee chair Dalby, said: “EFA Certification is on the move to meet the challenges of changing philanthropy and the differing needs of different countries looking for quality fundraising education.”

To find out more about EFA Certification, click here.

Committee members & attendees – 2024 Certification Symposium