Item Writing Corps

Help shape the CFRE Exam by developing and reviewing fair, clear, and current multiple-choice items aligned to ethical, best-practice fundraising.

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

What is the Item Writing Corps?

The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE®) certification is accredited under the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 standard by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). The standard requires rigorous practices that safeguard integrity, quality, and legal defensibility—including the use of qualified volunteer stakeholders in exam development and maintenance.

The Item Writing Corps are volunteers who use their fundraising expertise to develop and review new CFRE exam questions that reflect current best practices.

Conflict‑free & secure. Volunteers follow strict confidentiality and conflict‑of‑interest policies to protect exam integrity.

Applications for the 2026 Item Writing Corps term have closed.
Applicants will be contacted by the end of September 2025.

The Item Writing Corps term runs for one year (January–December).
Onboarding takes place during the two months prior to each term’s start date.
Members may serve up to six (6) consecutive terms to ensure continuity.

Approximately 30 hours per year. The Item Writing Corps shall meet virtually, as needed, to conduct item writing activities.

CFRE International will conduct virtual onboarding and training to prepare item writers. Training is mandatory. Item writers will also receive feedback throughout their term.

Why participate?

  • Advance the profession and CFRE’s global standards
  • Earn volunteer service toward CFRE points
  • Strengthen your assessment and writing skills
  • Collaborate with peers and subject‑matter experts

Qualifications & Expectations

To be considered to serve on a committee, 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.

Item Writing Corps members are expected to:

  • 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.