Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) is a professional certification for fundraising executives. It is an industry standard that identifies professionals who have demonstrated their expertise and commitment to the fundraising profession. However, there are other words and phrases that can be used interchangeably with CFRE. These include fundraising expert, fundraising specialist, fundraising professional, development officer and development executive. While each of these terms have their own nuances, they all refer to individuals who have a proven track record of success in raising funds for non-profit organizations. A CFRE certification, or any of these synonyms, is indicative of a fundraising professional's exceptional fundraising skills and knowledge of ethical best practices.