The Certified FREed
Experience

Program Overview

Certified FREed is a 12-week cohort experience designed for Black women and femmes working in fundraising and resource mobilization roles. The program supports participants in pursuing the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential while expanding their strategic influence, revenue clarity, and institutional impact.

This is not test preparation alone.

It is a leadership container—treating credentialing as a lever for long-term field change.

Participants engage in structured CFRE preparation, executive leadership coaching, peer strategy sessions, and wellness-centered support—ensuring that technical rigor and personal sustainability move together.

Who We Prioritize

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Black women and femmes currently working in fundraising, development, or capital strategy roles
Leaders planning to pursue CFRE certification within 6 months
Professionals stewarding institutional revenue who want to operate more strategically and sustainably
Resource leaders committed to strengthening capital flow across movements and communities

What the 12 Weeks Involve

CFRE Preparation

Structured review sessions aligned with CFRE competencies, study planning, peer accountability, and exam fee coverage.

Leadership Coaching

Led by Nichole Collins. Focused on strategic positioning, institutional navigation, and expanding capital influence.

Wellness
Support

Guided by Nia Osborne. Structured wellness coaching addressing burnout, isolation, and the emotional labor of resource work.

Peer Cohort

A curated group building durable relationships that extend beyond the 12 weeks.

Why We Know Certified FREed is Movement Infrastructure

Revenue volatility decreases
Institutions stabilize
Capital circulates more equitably
Burnout decreases and retention improves

The emphasis on application—not just theory—resonated with my approach to learning.

Being able to immediately apply concepts to my client work made the learning stick and provided immediate value to the organizations I serve.
Perhaps most importantly, [Certified FREed] doesn’t just talk about economic empowerment—it actively creates pathways for it.

The funding opportunities, networking connections, and ongoing support have been instrumental in helping me reimagine my future with one confident step at a time.
Melanate. strengthened my confidence in speaking with major donors, corporate partners, and board members about philanthropic strategy.
Our cohort became a microcosm of mutual support where we could discuss real challenges we face in fundraising work, share strategies that actually work, and celebrate each other's wins along the way.

An investment in Certified FREed is a demonstrated investment in institutional durability and field-level capacity.

Participants do not simply pass an exam—they scale capital strategy within their organizations and influence how wealth moves across ecosystems.

Application & Timeline

Certified FREed operates on a cohort model with limited seats per cycle.

To apply:
1. Ensure you qualify for the CFRE exam

2. Complete the interest form

3. Schedule initial learning call

Start Interest Form →

We are currently maintaining a waiting list and will resume formal cohort screenings in Summer 2026. Qualified applicants may be contacted earlier as seats become available.

Cohort Coaches

Picture of Nichole Collins: Black woman with purple hair, blue shirt and glasses

Nichole Collins, CFRE

Leadership Coach

CFRE Cohort Coach and leadership development strategist guiding participants through exam preparation and praxis implementation.

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Picture of Nia Osborne: Smiling Black woman wearing glasses

Nia Osborne, LMSW

Community Impact Specialist

Wellness coach provides social-emotional leadership support, helping participants build stamina, clarity, and long-term sustainability.