The Association of Fundraising Professionals, the largest community of professional fundraisers in the world, has awarded its highest professional certification, the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE), to R. Scott Fortnum of Newmarket, ON.

Available only to senior-level fundraisers who have worked in the profession for 10 or more years, the ACFRE is a distinguished achievement earned by only 92 professionals since the inception of the program in 1992.

The ACFRE program is the most rigorous certification process available to professional fundraisers. The process includes a comprehensive application, detailing achievements in practice, education, publishing, teaching, and service to the profession; a written examination that measures a candidate's knowledge of fundraising as well as the philosophical, ethical, and social aspects of philanthropy; a portfolio representing the candidate's body of professional work; and an oral peer review in which the candidate must articulate a mastery of advanced-level knowledge in fundraising management, leadership, and ethics.

The ACFRE Certification Board of AFP, chaired by Jim Allen, ACFRE, oversees the ACFRE candidate review process. Mr. Fortnum will honored for his achievement during AFP's Leadership Academy in Montreal in October 2011.

A fundraising professional for more than 20 years, Scott is the Chief Development Officer for Saint Elizabeth Foundation where he is currently leading a multimillion dollar campaign. Scott is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, holds a Master's Degree in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and has held his CFRE designation since 1995. With a career focused on major gift efforts, Scott has worked as both staff and consultant with a variety of major organizations and led campaigns ranging from $4.5 million to $500 million. Additionally Scott serves as an instructor and advisor for the Georgian College Fundraising & Resource Development program.   He is also a trained auctioneer and calls bids at a number of charity events each year. Scott lives in Newmarket with his wife Carol and their two children.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), which represents nearly 30,000 members in more than 200 chapters throughout the world, advances philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs. AFP fosters the professional development of fundraising professionals and promotes ethical standards in the fundraising profession. For more information, visit www.afpnet.org.