Quickly Advancing My Career with CFRE
By Char Manlove-Laws, CFRE
I found my way into the fundraising profession through a theater company internship in Washington, D.C. Through my role in the executive office, I frequently accepted small research projects for the fundraising team. I come from a smaller town in Delaware and stewardship was always a part of my life, but this role helped me realize that fundraising was simply about relationship-building.
When my internship was complete, a Development Assistant position opened up, and the Chief Development Officer took a chance on me. This position was a great introduction to philanthropy—I got to do a little bit of everything, including supporting the Corporate Relations team with our annual Military Thanksgiving event. Annually, we invited approximately 200 active-duty military members and their families to a complimentary evening at the theater, including valet parking, a seated dinner, and a family-friendly performance. It was incredibly heartwarming; the families were always so grateful for the chance to celebrate Thanksgiving in this beautiful way.
I loved every minute of working in the arts, but after five years, I wanted to make a bigger impact through fundraising.
Fast Professional Growth Through CFRE
Some people view the CFRE as a credential to achieve later in their careers. But as a 30-something with seven years of experience, I wanted to advance quickly. My formative years in fundraising were spent in Corporate Relations and I had recently shifted to Individual Giving. I felt a little behind on this side of fundraising and wanted to catch. Studying for the CFRE would also give me an excuse to look at fundraising holistically instead of siloing myself like I’d done earlier in my career.
I shared my desire with my supervisor. She candidly shared that my master’s degree from 2014 had taken me as far as it could … and quickly suggested the CFRE to grow professionally at a fast pace.
Within a year (in October 2022), I earned my CFRE certification.
The career advancement opportunities that come with the CFRE are worth it, especially if you’re interested in learning about different fundraising sectors. After achieving my CFRE, I found a gap in our fundraising practices. Using the knowledge I gained from my CFRE studies, I created a strategy to fill that gap. Because of this, I was promoted quite quickly.
Gaining Confidence with CFRE
Some of the best career advice I’ve received is that the most influential people in the world are still simply people at the end of the day. Don’t let a person’s prestige and power overwhelm you when discussing fundraising opportunities for your organization. I’m now an Annual Giving Officer for the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland (U.S.). The Aquarium’s conservation work and commitment to our oceans make me feel like I’m a part of saving the world … and it’s incredibly cool to hang out with fish all day!
