Pollard Earns Fundraising Executive Certification
Queenstown, Maryland – May 27, 2008 – Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, a private, nonprofit land conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of farmland and habitat on the Eastern Shore is pleased to announce the recent designation of one of its longtime staff as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE.) Jennifer Pollard, ESLC’s Director of Annual Giving, recently met CFRE International’s rigorous certification requirement, becoming one of only approximately 124 other CFRE’s in the state of Maryland.
“We are so proud of Jennifer for achieving this incredible credential and are so pleased to have someone with her talents on staff,” said Rob Etgen, ESLC’s Executive Director. According to Pollard, the decision to pursue the certification was driven by ESLC’s own certification efforts under the Maryland Association of Non-Profits.
“I was so impressed by MANO’s work to promote integrity and excellence in Maryland’s nonprofits that I began looking for a way to submit myself to a similar certification to further build ESLC’s credibility in fundraising as we enter an uncertain economic climate,” she said.
Pollard joins over 5,000 professionals around the world who hold the CFRE designation. Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International including tenure in the profession, education, demonstrated fundraising achievement and a commitment to service to not-for-profit organizations. Initially, candidates must pass a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive and are awarded certification for a three-year period. Certificants must continue to demonstrate on-going fundraising employment, fundraising results and continue with their professional education to maintain their CFRE status.
Pollard, has more than 11 years experience with nonprofits including eight years with ESLC. She also worked in development and public relations for the Macon Heritage Foundation and Orchard House-Home of the Alcotts. She received the highly competitive Elizabeth Perkins Fellowship in Maine, and recently completed the Institute for Conservation Leadership’s Complete Fundraising Program. She resides with her husband Bill in Chestertown.