3 Fundraising Resume Examples for 2024 (with Writing Tips)
Writing a resume has never been easier — we have three great fundraising resume examples to learn from, a template you can copy and paste, and detailed tips to guide you through the process.
A good resume template for you is both professional and suits your style (and there are many options).
Fundraising Resume Template (Text Format)
The chronological resume format is standard for most jobs, but a functional resume might suit your application.
Copy & Paste Fundraising Resume Template
FIRST AND LAST NAME
Email: your.email@email.com
Phone: (123) 456-7891
Address: Street, City, State
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile
Objective
Dedicated fundraiser with [number] years of experience. Seeking to leverage my experience in [relevant abilities] to fill the [Job Title] position. Hold a [degree/diploma/certification] in [Degree/Diploma/Certification Title]. Skilled at [2–3 relevant skills]. A [adjective #1] and [adjective #2] worker aiming to contribute to the success of [Company/Non Profit Name].
Relevant Skills
- List skills and certifications relevant to the fundraising job you’re applying for
- Look at the job description for ideas of the skills the employer wants and that are common for fundraising positions
- Emphasize fundraising-specific skills in this section (like people skills)
Professional Experience
- Include a bulleted list of your achievements as a lead fundraiser
- Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “connect” or “fundraise”) to grab attention
- Use the present tense for your current fundraiser role, unless describing a completed project or initiative
- Use hard numbers when possible to quantify your accomplishments as a fundraiser
- Mention how you’ve used some of the fundraising skills listed in your skills section to demonstrate your mastery of these abilities
- List relevant accomplishments from your previous role as a fundraiser
- Assuming you’re no longer working in this fundraising role, use past tense verbs to describe your work
- Include 3–6 bullet points for each fundraising role, both your current one and previous ones
- Skip the pronoun “I” and begin directly with a verb
- Although you’ll usually list work experience, feel free to include any volunteer work and extracurricular activities if you lack formal work experience
Education
- GPA: 3.X/4.0 (optional)
- Latin honors (if applicable)
If you’re still seeking samples for inspiration, start with our two fundraising resume examples based on experience level below.
Entry-level fundraising resume
Want to support a good cause, but unsure how to write your resume for a fundraising position? Check out this entry-level resume to see what you should put on your resume:
Entry-level fundraising resume highlights
- Relevant volunteer roles: This candidate has included their volunteer work experience that has skills in common with fundraising roles. This will help persuade hiring managers the candidate is ready for a full-time fundraising job with minimal training necessary.
- Concise resume objective: Sometimes a short resume objective is more effective because hiring managers can quickly read it and decide whether they’re interested in learning more about you.
Fundraising manager resume
If you manage fundraising for an organization, highlight your team leadership abilities and fundraising potential on your resume like this one does:
Fundraising manager resume highlights
- People management abilities: This candidate states they manage 15 staff members, giving hiring managers an insight into the team size they could effectively lead if they’re hired.
- Out-of-the-box thinker: This fundraising manager signals their ability for blue sky thinking by stating they regularly test out new fundraising ideas.
How to write a fundraising resume
Need more advice on writing your fundraising resume? Scroll down for four detailed tips with examples.
1. Add dollar amounts to highlight your fundraising ability
To show you’re an effective fundraiser, use dollar amounts to convey how much you’ve raised for the charity or non-profit you work for.
Here are some examples of fundraising resume bullet points with dollar amounts included:
- Secured $50,000 in donations within 6 months, exceeding fundraising goal by 20%
- Cultivated relationships with major donors, resulting in a $100,000 endowment for a new scholarship program
- Led a fundraising campaign that generated $250,000 in revenue for a community outreach initiative
- Increased annual giving by 15%, generating an additional $75,000 for operational expenses
- Organized a charity auction that raised $50,000 for a local non-profit organization, exceeding the previous year’s total by 25%
2. Provide evidence of your people skills in your bullet points
People skills are vital for fundraisers because they allow you to connect with potential donors, set them at ease, and maximize the amount they’re willing to donate.
It’s simple to list “people skills” in your resume’s skill section but that doesn’t prove to employers that you actually have them.
Instead, write bullet points like this to highlight your people skills:
- Built and maintained relationships with a portfolio of 100+ donors, resulting in consistent annual contributions
- Successfully recruited and trained a team of 15 volunteers, increasing fundraising event participation by 30%
- Organized and hosted donor appreciation events, fostering strong connections and loyalty
- Negotiated sponsorship agreements with 5 major corporations, securing over $50,000 in annual funding
- Developed a mentorship program for new fundraising staff, improving overall team performance and retention
3. Don’t forget your other key skills
Hiring managers don’t just look for people skills on resumes (even though it is a key skill). You should also check the job ad to see what other skills the employer is looking for — and then add any of the skills that you have to your resume.
Here are 18 of the most common skills for resumes that employers seek in potential fundraisers:
- Public speaking
- Fundraising research
- Networking
- Relationship building
- Event planning
- Marketing skills
- Graphic design skills
- Copywriting
- Social media
- Database management
- Donor relations
- Grant writing
- Accounting skills
- Finance
- Project management skills
- Event staffing
- Volunteer management
- Event catering
4. Write your resume summary last
A resume summary comes first on a resume but should be written last so you can sum up your most impressive achievements.
Get inspired by these three fundraising resume summaries:
Compassionate fundraising professional with 7 years’ experience dedicated to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Proven success in securing major gifts, cultivating donor relationships, and leading impactful fundraising campaigns. Deeply committed to advocating for equitable healthcare access and reducing stigma.
Passionate animal rights advocate with 3 years’ experience in fundraising for animal welfare organizations. Expertise in grassroots fundraising, corporate partnerships, and event planning. Proven ability to inspire and mobilize donors to support PETA’s mission of ending animal exploitation.
Results-driven fundraiser with 2 years of experience committed to global poverty alleviation and social justice. Expertise in securing grants, developing corporate partnerships, and leading major gift campaigns. Proven track record of exceeding fundraising targets and driving sustainable impact.
Not sure what your resume should look like? The best way to learn is by taking inspiration from resume examples written by other candidates in your industry.
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