Shelter House Executive Director Receives International Credential

Shelter House, the domestic and sexual violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton counties, is proud to announce that its Executive Director, Michelle Sperzel, was recently awarded the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential. With this designation, Sperzel joins an elite group of fundraising professionals across the globe. Fewer than 300 fundraising professionals in Florida hold this credential and just 5,400 have achieved this goal worldwide.

To complete the certification, candidates must have five years of experience in fundraising, complete an application process that guarantees relevant job experience as well as proven success in raising funds and pass a rigorous exam. Being a CFRE requires a demonstrated competence in fundraising and an adherence to ethical fundraising practices.

“Working toward this certification was important to me not only for my own professional development, but for the benefit of Shelter House as well,” said Sperzel. “Going through the process of earning the CFRE designation has sparked new ideas and equipped me with more tools that will enable Shelter House to help more women, children and men in our community.”

“Over her tenure as Executive Director, Michelle has shown tremendous dedication to the organization – expanding our services and developing supportive relationships within the greater community,” said Dawn Hoffman, Shelter House Board Secretary and Fundraising Chair. “Her pursuit of the CFRE designation further demonstrates her desire to take Shelter House to the next level and ensure that the agency is always there to help victims of domestic and sexual violence.”

CFRE International, an independent international non-profit dedicated to setting standards in philanthropy, is the body that awards the CFRE credential. The CFRE is the only professional certification available to fundraising professionals and is a standard that is recognized around the world.
 

About Shelter House Shelter House is the state-certified domestic violence shelter serving victims of domestic violence in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Services provided include 24-hour hotline, crisis counseling, advocacy, outreach, primary prevention, transitional housing and confidential shelter.

 
If you feel that a family member or intimate partner is endangering your physical or emotional safety or if you know someone experiencing this in their home, call Shelter House’s hotline at 1-800-44-ABUSE, or 850-863-4777.