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.
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Here's what we see in the best resumes for fundraising roles.
Show Impact With Numbers: Use metrics to show impact. Include
Include Skills From Job Descriptions: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are
Adapt To Digital Trends: Fundraising is moving online. Show experience with
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Upload your resume now to get a free, unbiased assessment. You'll receive a score and specific tips to improve your chances of landing that important fundraising role. This straightforward feedback can help you make your resume stronger and more effective.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
When you talk about past fundraising roles, make sure you show your impact. Some forget to include how much money they raised or what the funds were for. This is important. An example could be: 'led a team that raised $50,000 for cancer research.' This gives a clear picture of your success.
Do not just list tasks like 'organized events' or 'managed donor lists.' Instead, say how well you did these tasks. For example, you could write 'increased event attendance by 25% which boosted donations.' This shows you can do the job and do it well.
Remember to talk about key skills like 'building relationships with donors' or 'creating fundraising strategies.' These skills are crucial for jobs in raising funds and should be part of your resume. Make sure you have at least one example to show each skill. This will help you stand out to hiring managers.
When you write your resume, choosing the right words is key. Use verbs that show you have made things happen. This will help you stand out. Think about what you did in your fundraising roles and pick verbs that fit your achievements.
Good verbs can make your experiences shine. They tell employers about your skills quickly and clearly. Here's a list of verbs that are good for fundraising resumes:
Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Possess, Produced, Establish, Assisting, Maintaining.
When you write your resume, focus on what you have achieved, not just the work you were in charge of. Your goal is to show how well you did your job, not just describe the job you did. Think about the positive changes you made, how much money you raised, or how you grew donor relations.
Instead of saying,
Another example, instead of writing,
You need specific skills to excel in fundraising. These are not just important for doing the job well but also for getting past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many organizations use to scan resumes. Here's a list of skills you should consider including if they match your experience:
Choose skills that fit the job you want. For instance, if you're aiming for a role focused on digital campaigns, highlight your
Remember, you don't need to show every skill listed. Think about the specific tasks you'll be doing and choose the skills that best match those duties. If you have experience with
When you're applying for roles in fundraising, showing your growth through promotions and leadership is key. You need to make it clear that you have the skills to lead a team and drive campaigns to success. Think about the times you've taken charge of a project or been recognized with a higher position.
Here are some ways to show evidence of leadership and promotions:
Even if you're unsure about your leadership experience, reflect on moments where you've taken initiative. Did you ever step in when a leader was needed? That counts. Remember, highlighting your ability to inspire others and handle responsibilities is important. Use phrases like 'spearheaded a volunteer drive' or 'guided a peer mentoring program' to show your leadership skills.