10 Grant Writer Resume Examples for 2024

To get a job as a grant writer, your resume needs to be clear and persuasive. This article offers proven resume examples and strategic tips to help you showcase your skills. We will cover how to highlight your writing abilities, your understanding of grant applications, and your experience managing projects. With the right approach, you can create a strong resume that will catch the attention of hiring managers.

  Compiled and approved by Marie-Caroline Pereira
  Last updated on See history of changes

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At a Glance

Here's what we see in top grant writer resumes.

  • Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes show impact by using numbers. Examples include: secured $500,000 in funding, increased grant success rates by 20%, wrote 50 winning proposals, reduced editing time by 30%.

  • Include Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are grant research, budget management, proposal writing, funding sources, project planning. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Show Writing Samples: Include snippets of your writing. Examples: crafted winning proposal, expert in grant research, experienced in budget planning, knowledge of funding sources.

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Position your education correctly

As a grant writer, where you place your education on your resume sends a message about its current relevance to your capacity. If you are new to the workforce or your latest schooling strongly connects with grant writing, such as a degree in English, Communications, or Nonprofit Management, you should list your education before your experience. This helps hiring managers see your foundational knowledge quickly.

If you have been working as a grant writer or in a related position for some time, your real-world experience takes the spotlight. In such cases, detail your experience first. Any advanced coursework or certifications specific to grant writing or fundraising that enhances your expertise should come next, showcasing your commitment to staying current in the field.

Relevant proposals

Include successful grant proposals you have written. Highlight their impact and funding amounts. This shows your ability to secure grants.

Describe the organizations you worked with and how you supported their missions. This highlights your commitment and skills in the field.

Ideal resume length

For grant writing positions, aim for conciseness. If you have less than 10 years of experience, keep your resume to one page. This shows you can prioritize information effectively. Focus on your most relevant grant writing successes, like successful funding achieved or complex proposals managed.

For more seasoned professionals, two pages can be appropriate to cover your wide range of experiences. Remember, the best information should be on the first page to capture attention quickly. Use larger margins and a clear font to ensure good readability, which is more important than squeezing in less critical information.

Technical skills

List software tools you have used for grant writing, like database systems or project management tools. Showing your technical skills can set you apart.

Include any specific formats or guidelines you are familiar with, such as government grant requirements or private foundation criteria. This shows your versatility.

Beat the resume screeners

When you apply for a job as a grant writer, your resume may first be read by a computer program called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). It's important to make your resume ATS-friendly so it reaches a hiring manager. Here are steps you can take:

  • Use keywords from the grant writing job description. Include words like 'proposals,' 'funding,' and 'donors' to show your resume matches the job.
  • Keep the format simple. Use standard fonts and avoid images or graphics that can confuse the ATS.

Make sure your experience stands out by clearly listing your successful grant applications and the funds you helped to secure. Highlight your ability to research and match funding opportunities with a clear, easy-to-read layout.

Showcase relevant skills

When you write your resume, make sure you show how your skills match the job. Focus on skills that are important for grant writing like research, writing, and project management. Tell about your past work in a way that shows you're a good fit.

  • Include specific funders you've worked with and the amount of money you helped raise, using phrases like Raised $100K from private foundations.
  • List any grant writing software you're skilled in, for example, Proficient in GrantHub.
  • Describe your success in project planning, like Managed 5 grant-funded projects from start to finish.
Bullet Point Samples By Job Title for Grant Writer
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Essential grant writing skills

When crafting your resume, showcasing the right skills is key to getting noticed. As a grant writer, certain technical abilities are essential to perform your job well. Here's a list of skills you should consider including:

  • Research skills
  • Proposal writing
  • Grant sourcing
  • Project management
  • Budgeting
  • Data analysis
  • Knowledge of fundraising databases
  • Understanding of compliance and regulations
  • Proficiency in writing and editing tools
  • SEO and keyword optimization

Include these skills in a dedicated section or weave them into your job experience descriptions. This helps with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan for relevant keywords. Your ability to find and secure funding hinges on these skills, so make sure they are easy to find on your resume.

Remember, you do not need every skill listed. Focus on those that align with the job you want. For example, if you are aiming for work with a non-profit, emphasize your experience with fundraising databases and compliance knowledge. Tailor your skills to the role and the organization's needs.

Quantify your writing success

When you apply for grant writing positions, it's crucial to show your success in clear terms. This not only illustrates your ability to secure funding but also your understanding of what's important to potential employers. Here are ways to think about your achievements:

  • Highlight the total dollar amount of grants you've won for previous organizations. This is a straightforward metric that can have a big impact.
  • Share the percentage increase in funding you've achieved year-over-year. This shows growth and the ability to improve your grant acquisition skills.
  • Include the number of grants awarded versus those applied for, to showcase your success rate.
  • Detail the size of teams you've led or collaborated with on grant projects, as this demonstrates teamwork and leadership.

Think about other numbers that represent your work, like the number of projects funded through the grants or the diversity of funding sources you have tapped into. You can also mention the average grant size to give an idea of the scale you're comfortable working with.

Even if you are unsure about exact figures, you can estimate based on your records and understanding. For example, if you know you've written a certain number of proposals last year, calculate an estimated success percentage. Or if you're aware of the budget increase for a project you funded, you can infer the percentage of budget growth. Using these metrics wisely will present you as a results-driven professional.

Adapting your resume for company size

When you apply to work as a grant writer, your resume should show experience that fits the company size. Smaller companies like local nonprofits or startups may value a broad skill set. You could show this by listing jobs where you wore many hats or managed varied tasks. For large organizations, like major universities or large non-profits such as the American Red Cross, focus on specialized grant writing successes and times you worked with big teams.

For small companies, mention 'flexible grant writing roles' or 'cross-functional project management.' For big companies, use phrases like 'large-scale grant acquisition' or 'collaborative proposal development.' Remember to keep your writing simple. Your resume should make it easy for employers to see why you are a good fit for them.

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