Item Writing Corps

Volunteers who develop and review new CFRE exam questions that reflect current industry best practices.

Term: 1 year (Jan–Dec) Time: ~30 hrs/year Travel: Not required, nor covered by CFRE International

About      Qualifications & Expectations      Selection Process      Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Obligations

About the Item Writing Corps

The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE®) certification is accredited under the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 standard for personnel certification programs by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). The standard mandates compliance with rigorous best practices intended to ensure the integrity, quality, and legal defensibility of a professional certification program. One of those standards includes empaneling qualified volunteer stakeholders who contribute to CFRE International exam development and maintenance processes.

The CFRE International Item Writing Corps are volunteers who contribute to the CFRE examination development and maintenance processes by using their fundraising knowledge and experience to develop and review new CFRE exam questions that reflect current industry best practices.

Conflict-Free & Secure: Volunteers follow strict confidentiality and conflict‑of‑interest policies to protect exam integrity.

Responsibilities

Members of the Item Writing Corps are expected to:

  • Develop new CFRE Exam items that reflect current standards of practice.
  • Review and edit items within the CFRE Exam item bank (the full collection of pre-test and tested exam items).
  • Engage in item-related, exam development, or maintenance work, as needed.

Training

To prepare item writers, CFRE International will conduct virtual onboarding and training during the two months prior to each term's start date. Training is mandatory. Item writers will also receive feedback throughout their term.

Application Process

Closed: Applications for the 2026 Item Writing Corps are now closed.

Applications for 2027 will open in July 2026.

Qualifications & Expectations

To be considered to serve on the Item Writing Corps, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be actively certified as a CFRE.
  • Currently work in a full-time fundraising role.
  • Have no current involvement in developing or selling CFRE exam preparation content, seminars, or workshops.

To ensure continuity, Item Writing Corps members shall be eligible to serve up to six (6) consecutive terms.

Item Writing Corps members are expected to:

  • Meet virtually, as needed, to conduct item writing activities.
  • Miss no more than two (2) virtual meetings annually.
  • Submit all item-related independent assignments by stated deadlines.
  • Complete all item-related independent assignments. An assignment will be considered complete if at least 50% of the goal number of items are completed.
  • Respond to item-related and exam development-related requests from CFRE staff within two business days.

To serve on the Item Writing Corps, individuals must meet and maintain all stated qualifications and requirements. Applicants who do not meet these criteria are not eligible for consideration. Members who fail to maintain these standards may be removed from the Item Writing Corps.

Selection Process

CFRE International will open recruitment for Item Writing Corps members in July of each year. Recruitment will last approximately one month. If you wish to volunteer, please submit your application during this time. To ensure appropriate representation and address current examination needs/evolving field demands, CFRE International will carefully review applications and select a diverse panel of Item Writers.

Selection criteria will include, but are not limited to:

  • Demographics
  • Geography
  • Experience
  • Employment
  • Education
  • Industry sector

Once CFRE International finalizes the Item Writing Corps selections, all applicants will be notified via email of their application status.

Confidentiality, Impartiality, & Non-Disclosure

Item Writing Corps members are required annually to review and sign confidentiality, impartiality, and non-disclosure agreements that satisfy ISO 17204 and the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) personnel certification.

During a term of service, and for two (2) years thereafter, Item Writing Corps members are prohibited from participating in any manner in any activity which prepares or claims to prepare candidates to take the CFRE Examination, including, but not limited to:

  • offering or participating in a course or Program which claims to prepare individuals for the CFRE Exam; or
  • writing or contributing to a publication or course which claims to prepare candidates for the CFRE Exam; or
  • holding oneself out as an individual with exclusive or inside knowledge of the examination content because of his/her role as an Item Writing Corps member.