Symposium explores pathway for Advanced Certification Framework for fundraising

A new Advanced Certification scheme for fundraising is being developed to support and guide national fundraising associations and training providers in forming their own advanced qualifications for fundraisers.

Led by EFA, the advanced framework will complement the existing Certification scheme, which has led to the formation of fundraising qualifications in 11 European nations to date. Plans for the new framework were discussed at EFA’s Certification symposium, which took place on 17 September 2021.

Sharing insight from Janet Phillips at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising in the UK, where advanced fundraising qualifications are already offered, and from Leticia Labaronne at Zürich University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland, where a fundraising leadership programme is in place, delegates at the symposium cited growing demand for qualifications and training of this level. Antonella Salvatore from John Cabot University discussed the evolving skills and knowledge required for professionals in the field, highlighting softer skills such as emotional intelligence, which have become even more important during the pandemic.

Andrea Caracciolo di Feroleto at Scoula di Fundraising di Roma (Italy) talked through recent changes to EFA’s Certification programme, which led to a re-launch of the competence framework in 2020 and laid the foundations for the development of a new advanced Certification scheme.

Charlotte Rydh, Giva Sverige

Charlotte Rydh, chair of EFA’s Certification Committee and Secretary General of Giva Sverige (Give Sweden), says:

“At a time when private funding from a variety of sources and donors are becoming more and more important for nonprofit organisations across Europe, the need for strategic and analytical skills at a management level increases. As EFA strives to strengthen and develop the fundraising profession across Europe, it is important that we, through our Certification programme, can support the development of professional training and qualifications in fundraising management.”

Shaping the new qualification framework

Paul Dalby, DFRV

The development of the advanced framework will be led by EFA’s Certification Committee, which is chaired by Charlotte Rydh and includes Andrea Caracciolo di Feroleto and Antonella Salvatore (Italy), Glenys Garth-Thornton of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (UK), Ian MacQuillin of Rogare (UK) and – new to the committee – Paul Dalby of Deutscher Fundraising Verband (Germany).

Dalby comments: “Having had first-hand knowledge of the certification process after applying on behalf of EFS – the Evangelic Protestant Fundraising Service, I can see how beneficial it can be. It did my team a world of good. We had to think through our planning and education strategy step by step.

“I believe that high quality education is absolutely key to fundraising success and I’m greatly looking forward to helping shape the future certification programme.”

Dalby takes the place of former committee member Becky Gilbert, director of development for ASSIST and CFRE board director, who stepped down after having served the maximum period of three terms on the committee. Becky has been instrumental during the past 8 years in implementing  EFA’s new Competence Framework and developing the accompanying EFA Certification Handbook, which launched last year.

Rydh adds: “Becky has played a major role in shaping EFA’s certification scheme and, therefore helping so many organisations develop their own high quality training and qualifications. We want to say a huge thank you to her for her time and expertise on the committee, and we are also delighted to welcome Paul on board.”

Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash