CFRE Recommended Resource Reading List
Publications on the Reading Resource List are widely available and provide information on current, commonly accepted fundraising practices. These books are comprehensive and most closely relate to information covered on the exam.
It is not intended that each candidate read every publication. Most candidates read one to three books, focusing on texts that address where they need to bolster their fundraising knowledge.
This list is provided as a guide for candidates seeking books on particular subject areas or general overview texts.
The books listed were used frequently by item writers and reviewers to create the exam. However, reading any or all of these publications does not guarantee you will excel on the exam.
The exam is not intended to be an assessment of your knowledge of literature. There is no single reference, or small group of references, that are associated with most of the questions on any given exam form. The best advice is to review a basic, widely used book. You may then wish to seek additional information not covered in that publication.
Comprehensive Resources
These resources are comprehensive in nature, covering each of the six CFRE Knowledge Domains.
Complete Reading Resource List
Knowledge Domain Codes contained in the table are the following:
| KD1 = Current and Prospective Donor Research | KD4 = Volunteer Involvement |
| KD2 = Securing the Gift | KD5 = Leadership and Management |
| KD3 = Relationship Building | KD6 = Ethics, Accountability, and Professionalism |
Use Knowledge Domain Codes in the table search function to find books for particular Knowledge Domains. For example, to find titles on Securing the Gift, enter “KD2” in the search box. For titles that cover more than one domain, enter more than one Knowledge Domain Code. For example, to find titles on Securing the Gift and Volunteer Involvement, enter “KD2 KD4”
CFRE International is an Amazon.com Affiliate. If you purchase any of the titles above using the links on this page (or the CFRE Exam Compass Study Guide), CFRE International receives a small percentage of the purchase price at no cost to you. This funding helps support CFRE International and the ongoing development and maintenance of the CFRE credential.
