Fundraiser
Welcome to our Fundraiser resume sample page! This expertly crafted resume template is designed to showcase your expertise in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual and institutional donors (major gifts, annual fund, grants) to meet organizational revenue goals. Whether you're an entry-level candidate or a seasoned professional, this sample highlights key skills like donor relationship management, grant writing, campaign strategy, CRM proficiency, and compelling verbal/written communication tailored to meet top non-profit and educational demands. Use this guide to create a compelling resume that stands out and secures your next career opportunity.
Superbresume.com empowers Fundraisers to craft resumes that highlight their donor relationship success and measurable revenue achievement. Our platform offers customizable templates tailored for non-profit roles, emphasizing skills like major gifts pipeline management, capital campaign support, prospect research, and Moves Management implementation. With ATS-optimized formats, expert-written content suggestions, and real-time resume analysis, we ensure your resume aligns with job descriptions. Showcase your experience in consistently exceeding annual targets, closing five- and six-figure gifts, or successfully securing major foundation/corporate grants with confidence. Superbresume.com helps you create a polished, results-driven resume that grabs hiring managers’ attention and lands interviews.
How to Write a Resume for a Fundraiser
Craft a Targeted Summary: Write a 2-3 sentence summary highlighting your expertise in full-cycle fundraising and donor relations, track record of exceeding revenue targets (quantified), and proficiency in major gift solicitation and campaign strategy.
Use Reverse-Chronological Format: List recent fundraising, development, or relevant sales roles first, focusing on measurable revenue generated and relationship management.
Highlight Certifications/Training: Include credentials like Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), specialized training in Major Gifts or Planned Giving, or relevant advanced degrees to boost credibility.
Quantify Achievements: Use metrics, e.g., “Consistently exceeded annual fundraising goal by 15%, raising $1.5 million annually across major gifts and grants,” or “Successfully solicited and closed 10+ gifts at the $25K+ level annually,” to show impact.
Incorporate Keywords: Use terms like “Major Gift Solicitation,” “Donor Relations,” “Annual Fund Management,” “Grant Writing & Administration,” “Moves Management,” “Capital Campaign Support,” “Prospect Research,” or “CRM Proficiency (Raiser’s Edge/Salesforce)” from job descriptions for ATS.
Detail Relationship Skills: List expertise in prospect qualification, cultivation strategies, personalized stewardship, compelling proposal writing, budget management (of funds raised), and CRM data management in a dedicated skills section.
Showcase Fundraising Success: Highlight 3-4 key campaigns or major gift closures, detailing the target, the strategy used (Moves Management), and the resulting quantified revenue or program success.
Emphasize Soft Skills: Include persuasive communication (verbal/written), empathy, strategic thinking, perseverance, ethical conduct (AFP code), and organizational excellence.
Keep It Concise: Limit your resume to 1-2 pages, focusing on relevant fundraising, development, and relationship management experience.
Proofread Thoroughly: Eliminate typos or jargon for a professional document.
Planned Giving and Endowment: Focus on knowledge of and experience soliciting complex planned gifts (bequests, trusts) and growing the organizational endowment.
Digital Fundraising and Multi-Channel Strategy: Highlight expertise managing online giving platforms, integrating digital campaigns with major gift pipelines, and utilizing social media for awareness/stewardship.
Donor Data Analytics and Prospect Research: Showcase advanced skills in utilizing wealth screening tools and CRM reporting to identify high-potential prospects and inform solicitation strategy.
Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Strategy: Detail successful strategies for educating donors and soliciting funds via Donor-Advised Funds (DAF) for immediate and future impact.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Philanthropy: Emphasize efforts to diversify the donor base, fund DEI-focused programs, and adhere to inclusive fundraising practices.
Metrics-Driven Achievements: Use results like “Increased donor retention rate by 8 points through an improved stewardship program” or “Grew the major gift pipeline by 40% in one year.”
Capital Campaign Management Support: Include experience supporting the specific phases (silent, public) of a multi-year capital campaign.
Storytelling for Impact: Highlight skills in translating the organization’s mission and impact into compelling, emotionally resonant narratives for proposals and donor communications.
Choose Superbresume.com to craft a Fundraiser resume that stands out in the competitive non-profit development sector. Our platform offers tailored templates optimized for ATS, ensuring your skills in major gift solicitation, CRM utilization, and revenue achievement shine. With expert guidance, pre-written content, and real-time feedback, we help you highlight achievements like exceeding annual goals or securing significant grants. Whether you manage annual fund or major gifts, our tools make it easy to create a polished, results-driven resume. Trust Superbresume.com to showcase your expertise in building sustainable financial support and advancing mission impact. Start building your career today!
20 Key Skills
| Major Gift Solicitation & Closing | Donor Relationship Management & Stewardship |
| Fundraising Campaign Strategy (Annual/Capital) | Grant Writing & Management |
| CRM Proficiency (Raiser’s Edge/Salesforce) | Prospect Research & Qualification |
| Moves Management Implementation | Budgeting & Revenue Forecasting |
| Compelling Proposal Writing | Ethical Fundraising (AFP Code) |
| Verbal & Written Communication (Persuasive) | Donor Data Analytics |
| Planned Giving & Endowment Support | Volunteer/Board Engagement (Fundraising Focus) |
| Cross-Functional Collaboration (Programs/Finance) | Digital/Online Giving Platforms |
10 Do’s for a Fundraiser Resume
Highlight Certifications/Training: List CFRE certification (or progress) and specialized training in major gifts prominently.
Quantify Achievements: Include metrics on total revenue raised annually, goal attainment percentage, size/number of major gifts closed, or grant funding secured.
Use Action Verbs: Start bullet points with verbs like “solicited,” “secured,” “cultivated,” “closed,” or “exceeded.”
Showcase Fundraising Success: Detail the strategy and the strategic, quantified revenue result of 3-4 key campaigns or gift closures.
Include Soft Skills: Highlight persuasive communication, empathy, strategic thinking, and ethical conduct.
Optimize for ATS: Use standard development section titles and incorporate key fundraising, CRM, and revenue terms.
Keep It Professional: Use a clean, consistent font and professional layout.
Emphasize Revenue and Relationships: Clearly articulate success in generating significant funds and building long-term donor loyalty.
Proofread Carefully: Ensure no typos or errors in financial data, donor names, or campaign titles.
10 Don’ts for a Fundraiser Resume
Don’t Overload with Jargon: Avoid confusing, internal organizational acronyms; use standardized development and campaign terminology.
Don’t Exceed Two Pages: Keep your resume concise, focusing on high-impact fundraising and strategic development achievements.
Don’t Omit Dates: Include employment dates for career context.
Don’t Use Generic Templates: Tailor your resume specifically to the sales/relationship and revenue-driven duties of a Fundraiser.
Don’t List Irrelevant Skills: Focus on donor relations, solicitation, grant writing, campaign strategy, and CRM.
Don’t Skip Metrics: Quantify results wherever possible; fundraising success is measured by dollars raised and retention.
Don’t Use Complex Formats: Avoid highly stylized elements or confusing graphics.
Don’t Ignore CRM Mastery: Include proficiency with donor management software (Raiser’s Edge/Salesforce) for tracking and reporting.
Don’t Include Outdated Experience: Omit low-level or non-development jobs over 15 years old.
Don’t Forget to Update: Refresh for new grant awards, successful major gift closures, or advanced Moves Management training.
5 FAQs for a Fundraiser Resume
Prioritize major gift solicitation, donor relationship management, successful campaign execution (quantified revenue), and CRM proficiency.
Use standard development section titles, avoid graphics, and include keywords like “Moves Management,” “Capital Campaign,” and “Grant Writing.”
Yes, quantifying the total funds raised, annual target, or size of major gifts is the most important metric.
Detail a specific program or strategy (e.g., personalized impact reports) that you implemented, and the resulting metric (e.g., 5-point increase in retention rate).
Use a reverse-chronological format to emphasize your most recent, high-impact fundraising and revenue achievement successes.
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