ABSTRACT
Fund raising is more than just an occupation. It enjoys some of the characteristics of a profession, such as active associations with certification programs and codes of ethics. This chapter examines the professionalism of fund raising, introducing students to entities and elements that affect its status. It draws from previous studies to evaluate the extent to which fund raising meets professional criteria. Although the analysis shows progress has been made, it also reveals that the infrastructure necessary to becoming a profession currently is incomplete. In particular, fund raising lacks a theoretical body of knowledge and a program of formal education.
