A senior officer at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has been awarded a certificate from an international association for fund-raising professionals, according to the school in Daejeon.

Kim Hyun-soo, 37, Senior Major Gift Officer of the KAIST Development Foundation was named earlier this month as Certified Fund Raising Executive by CFRE International, KAIST said.

CFRE International is an independent organization dedicated to the certification of fund-raising executives by setting standards in philanthropic practice.

There are currently more than 5,000 professionals around the world who hold the CFRE certification. But Kim is the first Korean qualified by the international association, according to KAIST.

Kim started working as a fundraiser at KAIST in 2006, but she said she wanted to expand her skills and training to become a more qualified fundraising professional.

“I’ve always felt a sense of something missing in my profession. Then I came across this certification,” she told The Korea Herald.

The CFRE credential requires a comprehensive written application followed by a written exam. Candidates also must meet all of the minimum eligibility requirements, including at least five years of experience in fund-raising.

“I took the written test in Guam in August. It wasn’t easy but I think I learned a lot such as fundraising duties and various fundraising topics while preparing for the test,” Kim said.

Kim graduated from Yonsei University for public administration and earned her master’s degree in international cooperation studies at Seoul National University. She also passed the Certified Public Accountant exam in 2003.

Kim, who helped raise some 180 billion won ($160 million) for KAIST over the past six years, said she believes fundraisers must have a great responsibility.

“I think we need to commit fully to perform fund-raising duties in an ethical manner,” Kim said.

Kim added that as a certified fundraiser she now wants to enhance professionalism in fund-raising.

“I hope I can work to further develop the donation culture in Korea,” she added.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)