Practice Test GeeksCFRE - Certified Fund Raising Executive Practice Test

CFRE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CFRE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here β€” free, no sign-up.

200 questions
240 min time limit
70.00% to pass
  1. What is the purpose of list segmentation in a direct mail annual fund program? β†’ To tailor messages and ask amounts to different groups based on their giving history
  2. What is 'capacity' in the context of major gift prospect research? β†’ The estimated financial ability of a prospect to make a significant charitable gift
  3. What is the primary purpose of a 'case for support' in fundraising? β†’ To articulate why the organization deserves philanthropic investment
  4. When training board members for fundraising, the MOST effective approach is: β†’ Teaching board members to share personal stories about why the mission matters to them
  5. The names and addresses of a company's current and recently expired donors and members. β†’ house file
  6. Under IRS regulations, a donor who receives a benefit in exchange for a charitable contribution must be informed of: β†’ The fair market value of the benefit received so they can calculate the deductible portion
  7. Under AFP ethical standards, a fundraiser who learns of illegal activity within their organization should: β†’ Report it through appropriate channels, which may include legal authorities
  8. What does 'SYBUNT' mean in donor database management? β†’ Some Year But Unfortunately Not This year
  9. Which measurement best evaluates the effectiveness of a fundraising program's donor retention efforts? β†’ Donor retention rate (percentage of donors who give again in the subsequent year)
  10. In the context of special events fundraising, what is 'net revenue'? β†’ Total event income minus all event-related expenses
  11. A 'campaign readiness assessment' typically evaluates which of the following factors? β†’ Leadership capacity, donor base strength, staff readiness, and organizational credibility
  12. Which metric best measures the effectiveness of a direct mail acquisition campaign? β†’ Cost per dollar raised (CPDR)
  13. In stewardship, what is the purpose of a 'gift impact report'? β†’ To show donors the tangible outcomes their contribution achieved
  14. Under IRS rules, what is the maximum gift amount a donor can give to a public charity before needing a written acknowledgment to claim a deduction? β†’ $250
  15. In grant writing, a logic model is used to: β†’ Visually connect program inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes
  16. What does a 'sustainer' or 'recurring donor' program offer a nonprofit organization? β†’ Predictable, steady revenue through automatically recurring gifts
  17. Which strategy is most effective for upgrading mid-level annual fund donors to a higher giving level? β†’ Making a personal phone call with a tailored ask amount
  18. What percentage of a nonprofit's revenue is commonly cited as the benchmark where fundraising costs become a concern for watchdog agencies? β†’ 35%
  19. The IRS requires nonprofits to provide a written acknowledgment for any single cash donation of: β†’ $250 or more
  20. Donor retention rate is calculated by dividing: β†’ Number of donors who gave last year who also gave this year by total donors from last year
  21. Which solicitation channel typically produces the best donor retention rates? β†’ Personal face-to-face solicitation
  22. An organization's 'donor bill of rights' primarily serves to: β†’ Assure donors they will be treated with respect and their gifts used as intended
  23. Which compensation arrangement is considered unethical by the AFP Code of Ethical Standards? β†’ Percentage-based compensation tied directly to the amount of funds raised
  24. When a donor designates a gift to a specific program and that program is discontinued, the organization should: β†’ Contact the donor to discuss redirecting the gift to a related purpose
  25. Which element is most critical in a major gift solicitation meeting? β†’ Asking for a specific dollar amount tied to a specific project
  26. A donor who has given every year for 5 or more consecutive years is typically categorized as which type of donor? β†’ Loyal or consecutive donor
  27. Which of the following is the most common type of planned gift in the United States? β†’ Bequest through a will or living trust
  28. What is a 'gift range chart' (also called a table of gifts) used for in campaign planning? β†’ Showing how many gifts at various levels are needed to reach the campaign goal
  29. A donation made to a company or organization for whatever reasons the trustees or officers decide. β†’ unrestricted gift
  30. According to CFRE best practices, what is the recommended minimum size for a capital campaign leadership gift (top gift in the pyramid)? β†’ 25-30% or more of the total goal
Turn these facts into recall:
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