September 16, 2009

News Release

Goddard Receives International Certification

for Fundraising Executives

            Larry Goddard, Tyler ISD Foundation’s Executive Director, has completed the requirements for a global certification for professionals in fundraising.  The international designation is held by less than 1% of professionals in the philanthropic arena.

            The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Examination is designed as a generalist exam for fundraising professionals to demonstrate mastery of the six core knowledge areas related to fundraising practice. The exam tests knowledge and skills you use on-the-job. This is somewhat different than the type of exam most people are used to from academic settings that test a particular book or lecture.

            The Examination is neither designed nor intended to cover any particular aspect of the fundraising process in depth, but rather fundamental, baseline knowledge. The exam covers Current and Prospective Donor Research; Securing the Gift; Relationship Building; Volunteer Involvement; Management; and Accountability.

            CFRE International is an independent organization supported by 17 participating organizations in 5 nations.  There are approximately 5,000 CFRE certificants worldwide with more than 2 million in the profession.

            Goddard has served as executive director of the Tyler ISD Foundation since April 2006.  He received his B.S. in marketing and literature and M.S. in management and counseling from Texas A&M University-Commerce.  He has previously been employed as community relations manager with Southwestern Bell Telephone and as associate vice president development/marketing and community relations for Texas A&M University-Commerce.  In 2008, Goddard was named East Texas Council of Government’s Citizen of the Year for a 17 county area of east Texas.  He is a chairman of the Education Foundation Committee for Texas State Public Relations Association (TSPRA), National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), National School Foundation Association (NSFA), Leadership Tyler (Class 20), Sister City of Tyler, Inc. board member, City of Tyler Industrial Development Board, Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC), and a member of First Baptist Church in Tyler.

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