5 Fundraising Resume Examples & Writing Guide
Boost your fundraising career with proven resume strategies. Discover 5 real-world examples of successful fundraising resumes, complete with a step-by-step writing guide. Learn how to highlight your top skills and achievements to impress hiring managers. Plus, get tips for optimizing your resume format and content to pass applicant tracking systems. Take your fundraising job search to the next level.
A strong resume is important for getting hired as a fundraiser. It shows your skills, experience, and achievements to potential employers. But writing a good fundraising resume can be hard, especially if you're not sure what to include or how to organize it.
In this article, you'll find 5 examples of real fundraising resumes that worked. They show different ways to present your background effectively. You'll also get step-by-step tips for writing each key section of your resume - summary, experience, education, and skills.
Whether you're an experienced fundraiser or just starting your career, these examples and advice will help you create a resume that gets results. A well-written resume is often the first step to landing an interview and getting hired.
So if you want to boost your chances of getting your dream fundraising job, keep reading. By the end, you'll know exactly how to put together a resume that makes a great impression and helps you stand out from other candidates.
Common Responsibilities Listed on Fundraising Resumes
- Develop and implement fundraising strategies and campaigns
- Identify and cultivate relationships with potential donors
- Manage and maintain donor databases and records
- Write and submit grant proposals to foundations and corporations
- Plan and execute fundraising events and activities
- Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to create compelling fundraising materials
- Analyze fundraising data and prepare reports on campaign performance
- Solicit and steward major gifts from high-net-worth individuals
- Manage and coordinate fundraising volunteers and committees
- Develop and maintain relationships with community partners and stakeholders
- Stay up-to-date with fundraising trends, best practices, and regulations
- Provide training and support to development staff and volunteers
- Represent the organization at community events and networking opportunities
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How to write a Resume Summary
Starting a resume without a strong and precise summary or objective section is akin to setting off on a journey without any destination in mind. This part serves as your professional compass, guiding hiring managers through your career and steering their attention to what makes you unique. It's more than just a compilation of past roles and achievements; it's the curtain-raiser to the narrative of you as a professional.
Before we dive deeper, let's establish an understanding of the terms 'summary' and 'objective.' A summary is essentially a quick rundown of your professional path and notable accomplishments. On the other hand, an objective reveals your career aspirations and how you intend to contribute to your prospective organization.
Now, how to sculpt this all-important section? Here are some guiding principles you can follow:
Understand What Your Prospective Employer Wants
Take some time to read through the job description and understand what skills and experience are required. Aligning your summary or objective with these expectations not only exhibits your preparedness but also helps the hiring manager see you in the role.
Be Precise and Concise
Hiring managers often have piles of resumes to sift through; a succinct and to-the-point summary or objective can make their task easier. Sum up your experiences, skills, and objectives within 3-5 sentences without meandering.
Focus on Your Achievements
Remember that every employer wants an achiever on their team. When highlighting your past accomplishments, focus not just on the what, but also on the how and the impact. This gives hiring managers a sneak peek into your problem-solving approach and ability to deliver results.
Show Your Expertise but Stay Humble
Achieving a balance between expressing confidence in your ability and adopting a tone of humility is key. Showcase your areas of expertise and significant accomplishments, but avoid overtly self-congratulatory language.
Returning to fundraising specifically, a successful journey on this professional path demonstrates your ability to build relationships, strategize, persuasively communicate, and yield results. Ensuring these skills are reflected in your summary/objective will certainly work in your favor.
In summary, the highest-quality summaries/objectives speak directly to the needs of the hiring manager, describe your professional journey and accomplishments concisely, and carry an endearing touch of humility. Keep your career aspirations firm but flexible, and the narrative of the professional you shines brighter. Good luck in sculpting your perfect resume summary or objective!
Strong Summaries
- Seasoned fundraising professional with over 10 years of experience in not-for-profit settings. Proficient in building long-term relationships with donors and creating impactful fundraising campaigns. Skilled at event planning and maintaining a healthy donor pipeline.
- High-performing fundraising specialist with a proven track record of exceeding fundraising goals. Excellent communication skills with the ability to motivate and influence others. Ready to use my strategic planning and leadership skills to raise funds effectively.
- Dedicated professional with a passion for philanthropy and a strong understanding of persuasive communication. Vast experience in organizing and managing various fundraising strategies, including special events, corporate partnerships and major gifts.
Why these are strong?
These are good examples because they outline the key strengths of the professionals and present a clear picture of their skills and experiences. They are specific about the aspects of fundraising they excel at and also highlight any ancillary skills they possess. It is good practice because it directly communicates to the hiring manager the unique experiences and skill sets the candidate brings to the role.
Weak Summaries
- Involved in fundraising events and activities.
- Here because I want to make money and have a position where I can play poker on the weekends.
- Expert in setting up fundraising events, nothing else.
- I have experience in raising funds.
- Summary: Fundraising is my day job, but I’d rather be surfing.
- I can do fundraising.
- I’ve been doing fundraising for a long time now, not sure how successful though.
- Looking for a job where I can use my fundraising skills.
Why these are weak?
The examples given are all bad practices for a professional summary section for a number of reasons. Many of them are vague, 'Involved in fundraising events and activities' and 'I have experience in raising funds.' do not provide a clear idea of the individual's skills and strengths in fundraising. 'Expert in setting up fundraising events, nothing else.' limits the person's capabilities to just one thing. Self-deprecating or informal summaries such as 'Fundraising is my day job, but I’d rather be surfing.' or 'Here because I want to make money and have a position where I can play poker on the weekends.' come off as unprofessional and might give an impression of not being serious about the job. 'I can do fundraising.' is too general and lacks depth. Lastly, 'Looking for a job where I can use my fundraising skills.' lacks self-promotion, which is key in a professional summary to sell yourself as the ideal candidate for the job.
Showcase your Work Experience
When it comes to composing an effective resume, the Work Experience section can often appear as a challenging task. However, it's integral to understand that this section is much more than just a list of previous roles, it is a golden opportunity to tell your professional story, showcasing your fundraising aptitude, values, commitment, and impact.
Of course, every individual's professional journey is unique, just like thumbprints. This signifies there are no formulaic solutions or quick tips to ace this task. However, a tailored approach, reflecting on your specific achievements and milestones can help paint an alluring professional portrait. Here are some comprehensive guidelines to help you decipher the crafting process better.
Highlight Relevant Experience
In the context of a Fundraising profile, the first step towards revamping your Work Experience would be picking out the most relevant industry roles from the past. Ponder on the responsibilities, situations, and environments where your fundraising skills were put into action. Be specific to fuel the narrative. Resist the temptation to include irrelevant or outdated jobs. Remember it's about 'value' not 'volume'.
Showcase Achievements, Not Responsibilities
So, you've managed a fundraising team or launched fundraising campaigns. That's not a unique asset in the eyes of an employer. A sea of resumes screaming similar responsibilities would land on their desk. What distinguishes you? How did that campaign turn out? Did it exceed the targets? Focus on detailing tangible results and objectives achieved over the list of tasks tackled. Paint an actionable image, transmitting the impact of your contributions.
Quantify your achievements and impact using concrete numbers, metrics, and percentages to demonstrate the value you brought to your previous roles.
Use Quantifiable Metrics
The ardor or tenacity exhibited in your work often resonates better when backed by empirical evidence. Here's where quantifiable metrics come into play. Did the fundraiser marathon you spearheaded generate millions for a nonprofit organization? Were the funds raised better than the previous years? Quantify such feats to provide a scale of the positive changes led by you.
Inject Industry Relevant Keywords
Including industry buzzwords not only proves that you're well-versed with the latest trends but also improves the chances of your resume being picked up by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). But remember, integration, not imposition should be the strategy.
Regular Updates
Pencil in time to update your work experience section. It's not a 'create once and forget' chronicle. Add new skills, recent accolades or a shift in job titles to keep it relevant and refreshing. Regular updates reflect your commitment towards career progression.
In essence, an engaging Work Experience section is your depiction of professional evolution and expertise. Let it be authentic, achievement-oriented and tuned in to your audience's expectations. It's your stage, make sure your performance leaves a lasting echo.
Strong Experiences
- Implemented fundraising strategies that resulted in a 40% increase in annual donations
- Developed and initiated a donor recognition program that cultivated an additional $500K per year in contributions
- Established relationships with 50+ new high-value donors, helping increase the total donations by 25%
- Managed a team of volunteers in conducting fundraising events, raising over $10k in a single event
- Implemented innovative marketing campaigns for fundraising initiatives on social media, which increased visibility by 70%
Why these are strong?
The above are good examples because they are specific and measureable, showcasing achievements not just responsibilities. They quantify accomplishments and demonstrate a clear impact of the candidate's work on fundraising. The bullet points are benefit-oriented rather than duty-focused, showing the potential value for a future employer. The examples also indicate the use of strategic thinking, donor relations, management skills, and innovative approaches in fundraising.
Weak Experiences
- Secured funds for organization
- Increased donations
- Coordinated events
- Managed donor relationships
- Oversaw campaign
- Fundraising tasks
- Responsible for raising money
Why these are weak?
The given examples are flagged as bad because they are overly generic and lack specificity and quantification. Most of them do not provide clear information about the nature of the fundraising activities, the strategies used, or the results achieved. These examples also fail to showcase the applicant's skills or demonstrate their achievements in previous roles. 'Oversaw campaign' doesn't indicate which campaign and what impact it had. 'Secured funds for organization' and 'Increased donations' are vague and lack detail about the amount or percentage increase in fundraising. This lack of information fails to provide an insightful view of the individual's competence to potential employers. Further, phrases like 'Fundraising tasks' and 'Responsible for raising money' merely state responsibilities, but do not highlight accomplishments or unique skills the candidate brought to the role. Hence, such bullet points may not be compelling to recruiters.
Skills, Keywords & ATS Tips
Hard skills and soft skills are key elements to include in the skills section of a fundraising resume. While hard skills are about technical knowledge and abilities, soft skills refer to traits or behaviors that affect job performance. They complement each other to help you perform as a well-rounded professional.
Hard Skills in Fundraising
Hard skills in fundraising are specific, teachable abilities that may be required in a fundraising job. They include targeted skills like donor research, event planning, project management, and knowledge of fundraising software. These are skills that can be specifically learned, either on the job or through education and training programs. Including such hard skills on your resume shows potential employers that you have the necessary technical abilities to perform the job effectively.
Soft Skills in Fundraising
Soft skills, on the other hand, are skills that relate to how you work. They aren't specific to any career and would be valuable in any job. In the context of fundraising, important soft skills might include interpersonal skills, ability to motivate others, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication, among others. They reflect your personality and your ability to collaborate, solve problems, and manage your time. By showcasing your soft skills on your resume, you show potential employers that you can fit well into their team and handle the demands of the job.
Connection Between Keywords, ATS, and Matching Skills
Now, let's talk about keywords, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and skill matching. ATS software screens resumes before a recruiter or hiring manager sees them. They look for keywords relevant to the job description to determine if your resume should pass to the next step. These keywords often overlap with the hard skills and soft skills required for the job.
So, how do your skills and keywords match? Think about it like this - if the job description mentions needing strong communication skills, listing "communication" as one of your skills is a match. The same rule applies to hard skills. If a job description mentions a need for proficiency in certain fundraising software, listing that exact software on your resume creates a skill match.
Matching keywords with skills on your resume is crucial when going through an ATS system. If the ATS identifies a good match, your resume is more likely to be passed onto the human reviewer. This shows the importance of customizing your resume to each job and making sure you're highlighting the hard and soft skills that are most relevant.
To summarize, your hard and soft skills help to define you as a candidate in fundraising field. ATS, keywords, and skill matching help in improving the chances of your resume getting noticed. It's important to understand and utilize these components effectively to make your resume stand out.
Top Hard & Soft Skills for Full Stack Developers
Hard Skills
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Top Action Verbs
Use action verbs to highlight achievements and responsibilities on your resume.
Education & Certifications
When adding education and certificates to your resume, it's important to allocate a dedicated section for this information. In this section, list your educational achievements or certifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. Each entry should include the name of the institution, the degree or certification obtained, and the dates of completion. For fund raising certifications, you might include CFRE, FAHP, or ACFRE titles. Remember, this section plays a crucial role in making you more competent for the position you're applying for, so it's crucial to present it clearly and professionally.
Some of the most important certifications for Fundraisings
The CFRE certification is an internationally recognized credential for fundraising professionals.
The CFE certification is a recognized credential for fundraising professionals in Australia.
The CFE certification is a recognized credential for fundraising professionals in Canada.
The CFM certification is a valuable credential for fundraising professionals in Europe.
Resume FAQs for Fundraisings
What is the ideal length for a fundraising resume?
The ideal length for a fundraising resume is typically one page. However, if you have extensive relevant experience, it can be up to two pages. The key is to be concise and highlight your most relevant accomplishments and skills.
What format should I use for my fundraising resume?
The most commonly recommended format for a fundraising resume is the reverse-chronological format. This format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, with your most recent position first. It allows you to highlight your relevant experience and achievements effectively.
How can I make my fundraising resume stand out?
To make your fundraising resume stand out, focus on quantifying your achievements and using specific numbers to demonstrate your success. Highlight your fundraising goals, the amount of money you've raised, and any notable campaigns or events you've organized. Additionally, tailor your resume to the specific organization and role you're applying for.
What keywords should I include in my fundraising resume?
Some important keywords to include in a fundraising resume are: fundraising, donor relations, event planning, campaign management, prospect research, stewardship, annual giving, major gifts, grant writing, and any relevant software or tools you've used (e.g., donor management systems).
A Fundraiser secures financial support through donation campaigns and grant proposals. To create a strong fundraising resume: 1) Highlight experience developing fundraising strategies and building donor relationships. 2) Quantify fundraising results and donation goals achieved. 3) Showcase strong communication, project management, and relationship-building skills.
Seasoned fundraising professional with a proven track record of developing and executing successful fundraising strategies for non-profit organizations. Skilled in cultivating relationships with donors, securing major gifts, and maximizing fundraising potential through innovative campaigns and events. Passionate about making a positive impact and driving organizational growth.
- Spearheaded a capital campaign that raised over $10 million for the organization's expansion project
- Implemented a comprehensive donor stewardship program, increasing donor retention by 35%
- Developed and executed a successful planned giving strategy, securing over $5 million in legacy gifts
- Collaborated with the marketing team to create compelling fundraising materials and campaigns
- Managed a team of 8 fundraising professionals, providing guidance and mentorship to drive success
- Developed and implemented a successful peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, raising over $500,000
- Secured major gifts from high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and foundations
- Organized and managed large-scale fundraising events, including a gala that raised over $1 million
- Collaborated with program staff to develop compelling grant proposals, securing over $2 million in funding
- Provided training and support to junior fundraising staff, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration
- Assisted in the development and execution of annual fundraising plans, meeting or exceeding targets
- Managed the organization's donor database, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records
- Coordinated logistics for fundraising events, including volunteer management and vendor relations
- Conducted prospect research to identify potential donors and funding opportunities
- Provided exceptional customer service to donors, answering inquiries and facilitating donations
As a Fundraising Chair, you spearhead efforts to raise vital funds that fuel an organization's mission. In your resume, emphasize experience coordinating successful fundraising campaigns and events from concept to execution. Showcase exceptional skills in relationship-building, volunteer management, and promoting a compelling fundraising vision. Quantify achievements such as donation targets exceeded and revenue generated through your leadership.
Highly motivated and results-driven Fundraising Chair with over a decade of experience in developing and executing successful fundraising strategies for non-profit organizations. Proven track record of cultivating long-term relationships with donors, securing major gifts, and exceeding fundraising targets. Passionate about making a positive impact in the community and driving meaningful change through effective fundraising initiatives.
- Spearheaded the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy, resulting in a 35% increase in annual donations.
- Secured a $5 million grant from a major corporate foundation to support the organization's flagship education program.
- Organized and hosted a series of high-profile fundraising events, including a gala dinner that raised over $1 million in a single evening.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with key donors, ensuring continued support and engagement.
- Mentored and trained a team of junior fundraising staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
- Led a team of 15 fundraising professionals in developing and executing annual fundraising plans, consistently exceeding targets by 20% or more.
- Implemented a data-driven approach to donor segmentation and targeting, resulting in a 50% increase in donor retention rates.
- Secured multiple six-figure gifts from high-net-worth individuals and corporate sponsors.
- Collaborated with marketing and communications teams to develop compelling fundraising campaigns and collateral.
- Served as a key spokesperson for the organization, representing the Red Cross at various community events and media appearances.
- Managed the museum's annual giving program, overseeing a portfolio of over 5,000 donors and raising over $3 million annually.
- Developed and executed targeted direct mail and email campaigns, resulting in a 25% increase in response rates and a 15% increase in average gift size.
- Planned and hosted exclusive donor events, including exhibition previews and curator-led tours.
- Collaborated with the membership team to develop joint acquisition and retention strategies, resulting in a 20% increase in member households.
- Implemented a monthly giving program, securing over 1,000 sustaining donors in the first year.
A Fundraising Director spearheads all fundraising initiatives, devising strategies to cultivate donor relationships and overseeing campaign execution. On resumes, showcase quantifiable fundraising achievements, leadership experience managing teams, strong interpersonal skills, and any relevant certifications. Highlight volunteer roles demonstrating your passion for the organization's cause.
Driven and passionate fundraising professional with over 15 years of experience in developing and executing successful fundraising strategies for non-profit organizations. Proven track record of building strong relationships with donors, securing major gifts, and exceeding fundraising targets. Skilled in campaign management, donor engagement, and team leadership.
- Spearheaded a $50 million capital campaign, exceeding the goal by 20% and expanding the organization's reach and impact.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive major gifts program, resulting in a 35% increase in individual giving over three years.
- Collaborated with the executive team to create a strategic fundraising plan, aligning with the organization's mission and long-term goals.
- Managed a team of 12 fundraising professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
- Represented the organization at high-profile events and conferences, building strategic partnerships and enhancing brand visibility.
- Launched a successful annual giving campaign, increasing donor participation by 45% and raising over $2 million annually.
- Developed and managed a portfolio of 150+ major donors, securing multiple six-figure gifts and deepening donor relationships.
- Created innovative donor engagement strategies, including personalized stewardship plans and exclusive events, resulting in increased donor retention.
- Collaborated with program staff to develop compelling grant proposals, securing over $5 million in institutional funding.
- Mentored and coached a team of junior fundraisers, providing guidance and support to help them achieve their goals and advance their careers.
- Managed a portfolio of 100+ mid-level donors, increasing giving by 30% through personalized cultivation and stewardship.
- Planned and executed successful fundraising events, including galas, auctions, and benefit concerts, raising over $500,000 annually.
- Developed and implemented a monthly giving program, increasing sustainer revenue by 50% over two years.
- Collaborated with marketing team to create compelling donor communications, including newsletters, annual reports, and social media content.
- Provided training and support to board members and volunteers, empowering them to be effective fundraising ambassadors for the organization.
- Supported the development team in all aspects of fundraising, including donor research, database management, and gift processing.
- Assisted in planning and executing fundraising events, including donor receptions and volunteer appreciation events.
- Conducted prospect research to identify potential major donors and corporate sponsors, resulting in new funding opportunities.
- Managed the organization's online giving platform, increasing online donations by 25% through targeted email campaigns and social media outreach.
- Provided exceptional customer service to donors, responding promptly to inquiries and ensuring accurate gift acknowledgment and recognition.
Fundraising Coordinators spearhead initiatives to secure financial support for organizations. Core tasks include strategizing campaigns, coordinating events and donor outreach, and nurturing relationships with sponsors and stakeholders. Successful candidates have proven fundraising experience, project management abilities, and top-notch communication skills. For a standout resume, lead with quantified fundraising accomplishments, highlight expertise in donor database management and marketing campaigns, and showcase a talent for fostering collaborative relationships. Clearly outline relevant skills and achievements aligned with the role's requirements.
Driven and passionate Fundraising Coordinator with a proven track record of developing and executing successful fundraising campaigns. Skilled in building long-term relationships with donors, identifying new funding opportunities, and maximizing the impact of charitable contributions. Committed to making a positive difference in the community by connecting philanthropic individuals and organizations with meaningful causes.
- Developed and implemented annual fundraising plan, resulting in a 25% increase in donations year-over-year.
- Managed a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, securing major gifts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.
- Coordinated logistics for fundraising events, including galas, auctions, and charity walks, engaging over 5,000 participants annually.
- Collaborated with marketing team to create compelling fundraising campaigns across multiple channels, including direct mail, email, and social media.
- Conducted donor research and prospect identification, expanding the organization's donor base by 20%.
- Assisted in the development and execution of annual fundraising campaigns, contributing to the achievement of a $5 million fundraising goal.
- Managed donor database, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records for over 10,000 donors.
- Coordinated volunteer recruitment and management for community outreach events, engaging over 500 volunteers annually.
- Conducted grant research and assisted in the preparation of grant proposals, securing over $500,000 in funding.
- Provided exceptional customer service to donors, responding to inquiries and facilitating donation processing.
- Assisted in the planning and execution of fundraising events, including a charity golf tournament and a silent auction.
- Conducted prospect research and identified potential corporate sponsors, contributing to the acquisition of $50,000 in sponsorships.
- Supported the development of marketing materials, including event invitations and social media content.
- Maintained accurate records of donor information and donation history using Raiser's Edge CRM.
- Provided administrative support to the fundraising team, including data entry, filing, and correspondence management.
A Fundraising Manager oversees an organization's fundraising efforts, developing strategies to cultivate and steward donor relationships while managing fundraising campaigns and events. When writing a resume, highlight proven success in planning and executing multi-channel fundraising campaigns that achieved revenue goals. Demonstrate expertise in donor prospecting, solicitation, and relationship management. Quantify fundraising achievements with metrics like total funds raised, donor retention rates, and event attendance/revenue. Showcase excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills to convey your ability to motivate and direct fundraising teams.
Seasoned fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing significant donations and grants for nonprofit organizations. Adept at cultivating strong relationships with donors, developing innovative fundraising strategies, and leading successful campaigns. Passionate about making a positive impact and driving organizational growth through effective fundraising efforts.
- Spearheaded a major gifts campaign that raised over $2.5 million in less than 6 months, exceeding the initial goal by 25%.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive donor stewardship program, resulting in a 30% increase in donor retention rates.
- Successfully secured a $1 million grant from a leading foundation to support a new initiative focused on education and youth development.
- Collaborated with the marketing team to create compelling fundraising materials and campaigns, contributing to a 20% increase in online donations.
- Managed a portfolio of 100+ high-net-worth individuals, regularly engaging with them to cultivate strong relationships and secure significant gifts.
- Played a key role in the organization's annual gala, which raised over $500,000 for disaster relief efforts.
- Developed and executed a successful employee giving campaign, increasing participation rates by 15% and raising over $200,000.
- Secured corporate sponsorships from major companies, totaling over $750,000 in support for various initiatives.
- Managed the grant writing process, securing over $1.2 million in funding from private and government foundations.
- Trained and mentored a team of 5 junior development staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
- Coordinated a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign that engaged over 1,000 participants and raised $250,000 for pediatric cancer research.
- Managed the hospital's annual fund, which raised over $1 million through direct mail, online giving, and monthly donations.
- Developed and maintained a database of over 5,000 donors, ensuring accurate record-keeping and timely acknowledgments.
- Assisted in the planning and execution of various fundraising events, including a charity golf tournament and a 5K run/walk.
- Collaborated with the communications team to create compelling patient stories and testimonials for use in fundraising appeals.