May 15, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friends of Sacred Heart Hospital staff earn certified fund raising executive designation   

Eau Claire, Wis., - Ann Kaiser, Director of Development, and Kate Mason, Development Coordinator, Friends of Sacred Heart Hospital – the hospital’s foundation – have each earned designation as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). They join more than 5,000 professionals around the world who hold a CFRE designation. Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International, which include: tenure in the profession; education; fund raising achievement; and a commitment to service to not-for-profit organizations. Candidates must pass a rigorous written exam testing the knowledge, skills and abilities required of a fund raising executive.

“CFRE accreditation clearly identifies Ann Kaiser and Kate Mason as having demonstrated a mastery of fund raising principles and techniques based on accepted best practice,” said Patty Huettl, Chief Financial Officer at Sacred Heart Hospital. “Their certification communicates to our boards, our donors and our leadership that Ann and Kate are highly qualified and truly committed to serving the hospital’s foundation, the hospital and the community with the highest professional standards.”

CFRE recipients are awarded certification for a three-year period. In order to maintain certification status, recipients must continue to demonstrate on-going fund raising results and continue with their professional education.

“The CFRE process was developed as a way for the public and employers to identify those individuals who possess the knowledge, skill and commitment to perform fund raising duties in an effective, conscientious, ethical and professional manner,” said Andrew Day, CFRE, chair or CFRE International. “Achievement of the CFRE credential demonstrates a high level of commitment on the part of Ann and Kate, and of the profession as a whole.”

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Sacred Heart Hospital is an affiliate of the Hospital Sisters Health System. Since 1889 it has been meeting patient needs in western Wisconsin with the latest medical innovations and technology, together with a Franciscan whole-person healing tradition.