Study Groups

Participating in a study group can be a helpful way to prepare for the CFRE Exam by staying motivated and accountable with your preparation. While it's not necessary to prepare for the CFRE Exam, many certificants tell us they found it helpful.

CFRE International is pleased to host the following list of currently available study groups..

CFRE International has not reviewed the materials or methods used in these study groups, and the presence of a study group on this list does not constitute an endorsement by CFRE International.

Find a Study Group

Host

Location

Dates

Time

Cost

Contact

Jack Alotto

Online

January 12, 13, 14, 15

3 - 6 p.m., PST

Free

Jack Alotto, CFRE: alottojack@gmail.com

Northern Nevada Fundraisers Study Group

Online

January 7, 21
February 4, 18
March 4, 11, 18, 25

3 - 5 p.m., PST

Free

amanda@lilyworksnv.com or alyssar@dvrcnv.org

Add Your Study Group

If you're an individual or organization running a CFRE study group and would like to add your details to this page, email share@cfre.org with:

  • Name of the sponsoring organization
  • Study group location
  • Start and end dates
  • Time
  • Cost
  • Name and email of the study group's contact person

By providing this information to CFRE International, you're agreeing to it being published on the CFRE International website and other CFRE International publications.

Notice About Fee Waivers

Effective June 2021, study groups that require participants to pay a fee will be required to provide fee waivers for a minimum of two participants from diverse/underrepresented communities to help ensure equitable access to their content. Individuals who wish to be considered for fee waivers should contact the study groups directly.

Tips to Start a CFRE Study Group

If you're interested in starting a study group, you might find these tips helpful:

Find Others Interested in Studying for the CFRE Exam

Let others know you're putting together a study group and encourage people to contact you with their interest:

  • Create a post on CFRE Central to let others know you're interested in forming a study group (you must have an in-process application to access the online community).
  • Post to your personal LinkedIn page.
  • If you're a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals or another professional organization with regional chapters, post to the chapters’ Facebook and/or LinkedIn pages.
  • Ask your local professional organization to put an announcement in their e-newsletter.

In-Person vs Virtual?

Don’t let geography bind you! If it's not possible to start an in-person study group, consider a virtual study group that can be facilitated via Skype, Zoom, GotoMeeting, or any other collaborative platform.

Don’t Worry About Having a Minimal Number of Participants

In your area, there may only be one or two others ready to start their CFRE Exam prep at the same time as you. That’s okay! All it takes is one good study buddy.

Set a Meeting Schedule and Stick to It

Once you've established your study group’s members, determine a recurring time to meet, length of time, and location. Ensure that wherever you choose has minimal distractions and noise. Also, determine how many times in total you plan to meet.

Use CFRE International Resources

Use the Test Content Outline, Glossary of Fundraising Terms, and Resource Reading List to guide which topics you’ll study and on what schedule.

Determine and Share Your Areas of Expertise

Using the Test Content Outline, determine if members of your study group are experts in any particular area. Ask them to share their knowledge as well as answer related questions.

Make and Use Flashcards

Have individuals make flashcards on certain topics and quiz each other.

Be Each Other’s Cheerleaders

A study group is more than just familiarizing yourself with information. Encourage one another and keep the motivation high.

Promote Your Study Group

Don’t forget to tell us when your study group is formed so we can feature it on this page!