Sara Brown, Ph.D., director of institutional advancement for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, recently was named a Certified Fund Raising Executive by CFRE International.
The CFRE designation is the only accredited certification for fundraising professionals and is recognized as the global standard for fundraising professionalism. Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education and demonstrated fundraising achievement. They have also passed a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills and abilities required of a fundraising executive and have agreed to uphold accountability standards and the Donor Bill of Rights. About 7,500 professionals around the world hold the CFRE designation.
Brown started as ASMSA’s director of institutional advancement on Nov. 1, 2019. She oversees the operation of the school’s institutional advancement office and the ASMSA Foundation. Prior to joining ASMSA’s staff, she served in similar positions for the Arkansas 4-H Foundation at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and National Park College in Hot Springs.
She earned an interdisciplinary doctorate in leadership from the University of Central Arkansas in 2017. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration in accounting from Henderson State University.
In order to earn the CFRE certification, candidates must meet certain criteria including:
- Complete a minimum of 80 hours of continuing education within the past five years.
- Work a minimum of 36 months in a paid professional fundraising role within the past five years.
- Document success in actual funds raised and fundraising management.
- Attest to being knowledgeable of and abiding by the International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising and laws regulating fundraising.
- Successfully pass the CFRE examination, a comprehensive test covering best practices in ethical fundraising.
Brown said her earning the designation is a benefit to both ASMSA advancement office as well as its donors.
“As an advancement officer, I have the opportunity to further our mission through cultivation efforts, strategic planning and resource development,” Brown said. “I strive to lead our advancement office with the highest integrity. The CFRE designation is an extension of my commitment to our donors, stakeholders and families. Education is something that no one can ever take away from you. I am proud to support our past, current and future students.”
CFRE recipients are awarded certification for a three-year period. To maintain certification status, recipients must demonstrate ongoing fundraising employment and fundraising results as well as their professional education.