CEFL CERTIFICATION
The Professional Standard
The Certificate in Education Foundation Leadership, CEFL, is the professional standard and is the only certification program designed exclusively for education foundation leaders and executives. This program provides foundation leaders with specific skills and knowledge required to lead and manage an education foundation, regardless of size.
Across the country, education foundations and their leaders need to operate more efficiently to impact the education community they serve, more effectively. The CEFL Certification Program strengthens an education foundation to succeed now and into the future with proven standards of excellence for the administration and management of an education foundation regardless of foundation size, geographic location, or education community served [IE: Public, Private, Charter, Magnet, and College].
Based on the Guiding Principles for Education Foundations, the CEFL Certification Program provides critical insights from subject matter experts in six domains. Specifically: Leadership & Planning, Marketing, Legal & Finance, Resource Development, Board Development, and Collaboration.
The ProgramThe CEFL Certification Program is an asynchronous online platform which allows for both the integration of self-paced coursework with networking with peers from across the country. This six-course, six-month program is ideal for education foundation leaders, foundation staff, and board members who are passionate about the advancement of the industry, their foundation, and their professional growth. Course Calendar 2022CEFL 101 May 2 - May 27, 2022 Potential Training GrantsSome states offer grants to cover training for nonprofit professionals. | Questions/Contact
Registration FeesThe cost for the six-course program is $3,000 and we provide two payment options:
We must receive payment in advance of the course start date to provide you with access to the online learning platform. |
For additional information about the CEFL Certification Program, please contact our Program Director, Sara Bender, CEFL.CEFL 101: Leadership & PlanningThe Leadership & Planning course will provide an understanding of education foundation leadership and organizational development, strategic planning & implementation, program evaluation, volunteer management, liaison and support of the school district, constituent alliance, balancing the four entities of programs, administration, development, and marketing/public relations. CEFL 102: MarketingThe Marketing course provides students with an opportunity to learn the basics of marketing while simultaneously applying and testing knowledge through the development of a social media marketing plan. It will include a mix of theoretical and practical learning assets that will enhance student's understanding of marketing, (infra)structure, market research, target markets, goals, strategies, and budgeting. Students will use Facebook (or an alternative platform) to test their marketing plan in real time. This will include using analytical data to make marketing decisions. The process followed will serve as a template for the Capstone project of this course and can be adapted for future marketing efforts. CEFL 103: Legal & Finance
The Legal & Finance course will provide an understanding of the legal aspects and financial management of education foundations. This will be accomplished via addressing key legal issues pertaining to non-profit organizations, both in set-up and in operation such as governing documents, legal & IRS requirements, donor responsibilities, gift restrictions, and ethical considerations on the legal side. Financial management components of the course will include analyzing and reporting on financial statements, management’s responsibilities related to external audits, and budgeting for the organization.
CEFL 104: Resource Development
The Resource Development course will provide an understanding of basic concepts, terminology, structure, revenue streams, and donor engagement demonstrated through a case for support. Students will be able to set and accomplish development goals in line with the overall vision and mission of an education foundation through completion of a 12-month Resource Development Plan.
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CEFL 105: Board Development
The Board Development course will provide an understanding of non-profit board governance and fiduciary responsibilities. It will include a review of the roles of boards, typical committee structures, on-boarding of new board members, and expectations. Students will learn techniques to effectively engage board members in furthering the mission of their education foundation. This will include various evaluation techniques for boards, developing board leadership and succession planning, helping the board to effectively engage a broad network in the community, and assisting the board with organizational planning.
CEFL 106: Collaboration
Education Foundation Collaboration will provide an understanding of appropriate educational and community engagement as it relates to improving the foundation’s performance. It will include a deep dive into school district structure, responsibilities of superintendents and school boards, and the district planning and budgeting process. Students will learn the most effective ways to work with their local district recognizing the similarities and differences between a school district and a nonprofit.