7 Fundraising Resume Examples for 2024

In the realm of fundraising jobs, having the right resume is key. This article offers proven examples and strategic tips tailored for fundraising roles. Learn how to highlight your fundraising experience, quantify your achievements, and use industry-specific keywords to stand out to hiring managers. Whether you're an entry-level applicant or a seasoned professional, these practical insights can help you land the fundraising job you seek.

  Compiled and approved by Grace Abrams
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

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Where to place your education

Put your education near the top of your resume if you recently finished a degree. This helps employers see you are new to the field and that your latest schooling is relevant to fundraising. Especially if you studied a subject like non-profit management or marketing, highlighting this education early on can be very useful.

If you have been working in fundraising for years, list your education after your work experience. Focus on degrees and certifications that show skills in organizing events, understanding donor databases, or any training in persuasive communication, as these are key in fundraising. No need to include high school, unless it is your highest level of education.

Highlighting campaign success

For fundraising roles, emphasize key campaign successes. Include metrics like the amount of money raised, the size of donor databases you worked with, and any innovative approaches you led.

Clearly list these achievements under each relevant job. This gives a snapshot of your effectiveness and creativity in securing funds and engaging donors.

Ideal resume length

Keep your fundraising resume to one page if you have less than 10 years of related experience. This length shows you can prioritize information well. Focus on your most recent campaigns and the biggest amounts you have raised. Highlight roles where you led a team or project, as these show leadership skills.

For those with over 10 years of experience, two pages are acceptable. Put your most significant achievements in fundraising at the front. This helps because hiring managers tend to look at the first page more. Ensure good use of space and readability. Include only the most relevant information to make a strong impact quickly.

Showcase donor relationships

In fundraising, building and maintaining donor relationships is critical. Highlight your skills by mentioning specific examples where you succeeded in donor engagement, retention, and growth.

You can include details about successful donor events you organized or campaigns that led to long-term donor commitments. This demonstrates your ability to cultivate and manage essential relationships.

Beat the resume bots

When you apply for fundraising roles, your resume may first be read by software called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). It is important to format your resume so these systems can read it well.

Here are two key things you can do:

  • Use keywords from the job description. For example, if the job requires 'event planning' or 'donor management', make sure those phrases are in your resume.
  • Keep your layout simple. Use a standard font like Arial or Times New Roman and avoid tables or images that the ATS might not understand.

Make your experience relevant

When applying for fundraising jobs, you need to show how your past work relates to raising funds. It is important to match your skills with what the job needs. Describe your past work in a way that shows you can do the fundraising job well.

  • For technical roles, point out specific tools or databases you have experience with, like DonorPerfect or Blackbaud.
  • For senior positions, detail your experience in leading campaigns and the amount of funds you helped raise, such as overseeing a team that raised over $500,000.
  • If you are coming from a different career, link your previous duties with fundraising tasks. An example could be managing events or campaigns, showing how you've mobilized resources effectively.
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