CFRE Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CFRE exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CFRE Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CFRE Topics to Study (33)
✍️ Sample CFRE Questions & Answers
1. Under the Donor Bill of Rights, donors have the right to:
The Donor Bill of Rights guarantees that donor relationships will be conducted with confidentiality, honesty, and respect — fundamental rights to protect donor trust.
2. What is the primary purpose of an annual fund in a nonprofit organization?
The annual fund provides broad-based unrestricted operating support, allowing the organization flexibility to meet day-to-day expenses and programmatic needs.
3. What is 'phonathon' fundraising most commonly associated with?
Phonathons originated in higher education and remain most associated with university alumni annual fund campaigns using student callers.
4. Which of the following best describes 'philanthropic inclination' in prospect research?
Philanthropic inclination (or affinity) measures how likely a prospect is to give charitably, based on their demonstrated giving history, values, and personal connection to a cause.
5. A fundraiser is creating a mid-level giving society for donors giving $1,000-$9,999 annually. Which benefit would be MOST effective at this tier?
Mid-level donors respond best to access and insider experiences — exclusive tours and personal connections to program impact are highly valued at this giving tier.
6. What does 'ROI' stand for and how is it applied in fundraising?
ROI (Return on Investment) in fundraising measures how much net revenue is generated for every dollar spent on fundraising activities, helping prioritize the most cost-effective strategies.