Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Practice Test

Which characteristic is essential for planned giving officers in a fundraising office?

1. A high level of technical expertise

2. Strong relationship-building skills

3. A focus on short-term fundraising strategies

4. Experience in grant writing

The correct answer is: Strong relationship-building skills

Strong relationship-building skills are essential for planned giving officers in a fundraising office because this role largely revolves around cultivating long-term relationships with donors. Planned giving often involves engaging with potential donors over extended periods, sometimes even years, to help them understand the benefits and complexities of making a planned gift. This requires trust, rapport, and effective communication, making the ability to forge and maintain meaningful connections paramount. A high level of technical expertise, while beneficial for understanding the intricacies of planned giving instruments (such as bequests or charitable remainder trusts), does not substitute for the interpersonal skills needed to engage donors effectively. Similarly, a focus on short-term fundraising strategies is not aligned with the nature of planned giving, which is inherently long-term and requires patience and ongoing communication with donors. Experience in grant writing, while valuable in some contexts, is not directly relevant to the primary focus of planned giving, which centers more on individual donor relationships rather than institutional funding sources.