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Why This Template Works
This resume format works exceptionally well for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) due to its clear structure and emphasis on keywords relevant to fundraising roles. The inclusion of specific achievements related to securing major grants and building successful partnerships makes it easy for ATS systems to identify key qualifications. Additionally, the professional summary highlights experience in scaling campaigns, which is crucial for showcasing one's ability to grow initiatives into impactful programs. By focusing on measurable outcomes such as increased funding and improved donor engagement, this format ensures that hiring managers quickly understand how a candidate can contribute to their organization's fundraising goals.
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How to Write This Resume
Expert guidelines and best practices for each section of your resume.
Contact
First Name Last Name City, State, Zip Code Phone Number | Email Address LinkedIn Profile URL | Portfolio URL (Optional)
General Guidelines
Your contact information is the first section recruiters see. Keep it concise and professional. Ensure your email address is appropriate (e.g., [email protected]). Include your LinkedIn profile for a comprehensive view of your professional journey. A portfolio or personal website is recommended for creative, technical, or design roles.
Do not include your full physical address (street number/name) for privacy reasons. Avoid including personal details like marital status, age, photo, or social security number unless specifically required in your country. Do not use unprofessional email addresses.
Real Examples
See clear examples of how to format contact details effectively.
John Doe 1234 Random St, Apt 56 New York, NY 10001 [email protected] github.com/aliciacode Single, 28 years old
John Doe New York, NY (555) 123-4567 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/johndoe | johndoe.com
Quick Tips
- Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname format)
- Ensure your voicemail is set up and professional
- Double-check your phone number and email for typos
- Make your LinkedIn URL custom (linkedin.com/in/yourname)
Summary
Professional Title Result-oriented [Role Name] with [Number] years of experience in [Key Skills/Industries]. Proven track record of [Major Achievement]. Skilled in [Key Technologies/Skills]. Committed to delivering [Specific Value] for [Target Industry/Company type].
General Guidelines
A professional summary is your elevator pitch. It should be 3-5 sentences long, summarizing your experience, key skills, and major achievements. Tailor it to the job description by using relevant keywords. Focus on what makes you unique and the value you bring to potential employers.
Avoid generic objectives like 'Looking for a challenging role to grow my skills.' Recruiters want to know what value you bring to them, not what you want from them. Don't use first-person pronouns (I, me, my). Keep it concise and impactful.
Real Examples
Compare a weak objective with a strong professional summary.
Objective: I am a hard-working individual looking for a Fundraising Manager position where I can learn new things and advance my career.
Senior Fundraising Manager with 6+ years of experience in digital fundraising and campaign management. Increased annual donations by $3M through innovative digital campaigns at Community Outreach Foundation. Skilled in using DonorPerfect CRM and Bloomerang for donor engagement.
Quick Tips
- Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., 'Increased revenue by 20%')
- Keep it under 5 lines for readability
- Use strong action verbs to start sentences
- Tailor the summary to match the job description
Skills
Technical Skills - Languages: [List] - Frameworks: [List] - Tools: DonorPerfect CRM, Bloomerang, Classy, Google Analytics Soft Skills - Strategic Planning, Data Analysis, Event Coordination, Campaign Execution
General Guidelines
Group your skills logically (e.g., Technical and Soft Skills). Focus on hard skills relevant to the job. List skills in order of proficiency or relevance. Soft skills are better demonstrated through bullet points in your experience section rather than a bare list.
Do not list skills you are not comfortable using in an interview. Avoid using progress bars or percentages to rate your skills (e.g., "Java: 80%"). Do not include outdated technologies unless specifically required.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for skills
Java, Python, C++ - I know Java quite well but am less confident with C++. Also somewhat familiar with Python.
DonorPerfect CRM: Expertise in managing donor relationships. Bloomerang: Proficient in executing fundraising campaigns. Classy: Strong experience in creating and scaling online donation drives.
Quick Tips
- Focus on listing tools and platforms that are commonly used in nonprofit fundraising, such as DonorPerfect CRM or Classy.
- For technical skills, provide a brief explanation of your proficiency level next to each tool or platform, e.g., 'DonorPerfect CRM: Expertise in managing donor relationships.'
- Avoid listing soft skills such as leadership or teamwork on their own. Instead, demonstrate these through action-oriented bullet points that illustrate how you have applied them.
- Ensure any technical skill listed is relevant and up-to-date to reflect your current capabilities.
Experience
Job Title | Company Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Action Verb + Context + Result (Quantified) - Led [Project] resulting in [Outcome]... - Collaborated with [Team] to implement [Feature]...
General Guidelines
This is the core of your resume. Use reverse-chronological order (most recent first). Start each bullet with a strong action verb. Focus on achievements and impact, not just duties. Use numbers to quantify your impact (dollars, percentages, time saved, users affected). Show progression and increasing responsibility.
Avoid passive language like "Responsible for..." or "Tasked with...." Don't list every single daily task; focus on significant contributions and measurable outcomes. Avoid jargon that recruiters outside your field won't understand.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for experiences
Responsible for organizing fundraising events, which included sending out invitations and managing RSVPs.
Led the organization of 50+ fundraising events annually, resulting in a 30% increase in annual donations.
Managed social media platforms to promote campaigns without specifying outcomes or metrics.
Developed and executed a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that increased online engagement by 45%, leading to an additional $750K in funding.
Quick Tips
- Use strong action verbs such as 'led,' 'developed,' 'increased,' and 'implemented' to start each bullet point.
- Quantify achievements with specific numbers whenever possible (e.g., percentages, dollar amounts).
- Highlight projects or initiatives that demonstrate your ability to scale small ideas into large-scale successes.
- Focus on the impact of your work rather than just listing tasks; explain how your contributions benefited the organization.
Education
Degree Name | University Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2] - Honors/Awards: [Award Name] - GPA: X.X (if above 3.5)
General Guidelines
List your highest degree first. If you have significant work experience, keep the education section brief. Include your GPA only if it is above 3.5 or if you are a recent graduate. Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, honors, or leadership roles.
Do not include high school details if you have a college degree. Avoid listing every single course you took; select only the most relevant ones. Don't include graduation dates from decades ago if age discrimination is a concern in your field.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for educations
Bachelor of Arts in Communications | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, CA September 2014 – May 2018 - Coursework: Public Speaking, Journalism Ethics, Media Law, etc. - GPA: 3.2
Master of Science in Nonprofit Management | University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA September 2015 – May 2017 - Relevant Coursework: Fundraising Strategies and Techniques, Grant Writing, Community Organizing - GPA: 3.8
Quick Tips
- Focus on your most relevant degree that aligns with your current role or career goals.
- Highlight specific coursework directly related to your professional responsibilities in fundraising.
- Include any notable honors, awards, or academic achievements that showcase your capabilities.
- Omit high school information if it is outdated and less relevant than higher education degrees.
Projects
Project Name | Tools/Technologies Used - Briefly describe what you created and its purpose - Highlight specific challenges you solved - Link to portfolio or demo if available
General Guidelines
Projects are excellent for demonstrating practical skills, especially if you lack work experience or are changing careers. Include a link to your portfolio or demo if possible. Focus on projects that show problem-solving skills and relevant tools for the target role.
Don't include trivial tutorials unless you significantly expanded on them. Avoid projects that are outdated, incomplete, or irrelevant to the role you're applying for. Don't just list technologies—explain what you created and why it matters.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for projects
Created a basic fundraising page on JustGiving with minimal customization. Did not document specific challenges or outcomes.
Developed an interactive crowdfunding platform using Donorbox, integrating social media tools to enhance donor engagement. Solved the challenge of increasing visibility and converting followers into donors through personalized messaging campaigns.
Quick Tips
- Use projects that showcase your ability to leverage technology for fundraising purposes.
- Focus on projects where you demonstrated strategic planning and execution in scaling small-scale initiatives.
- Include measurable outcomes such as increased donations or engagement rates to highlight the impact of your work.
- Provide links to live demos or case studies whenever possible to give hiring managers a clearer picture of your achievements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this role and how to best present it on your resume.
Key skills include donor relationship management, grant writing, event planning, and financial analysis.
Highlight transferable skills such as project management, communication, and strategic planning from your previous industry.
A degree in nonprofit management or communications is often preferred, along with several years of fundraising experience.
Detail your roles from junior to senior positions, emphasizing increased responsibility and achievements at each level.
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