How To Write a Nonprofit Resume: Examples

Your nonprofit resume serves as the first impression you make on potential employers.

Whether you’re a seasoned development officer or someone just starting out, creating a compelling document is crucial to standing out.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the most important aspects of writing a resume online, showcasing basic resume examples for different roles, and explaining why each sample works well.

Nonprofit resume examples

• Fundraising specialist nonprofit resume
• Nonprofit manager resume
• Grant writer nonprofit resume

Fundraising specialist nonprofit resume

Fundraising specialist nonprofit resume template

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Fundraising specialist nonprofit resume sample | Plain text

Sarah Campbell

New York, NY
Email: sarah.campbell@gmail.com
Phone: (212) 555-6789

Resume Summary

Results-driven Fundraising Specialist with experience in planning, executing, and managing large-scale fundraising campaigns. Skilled in donor cultivation, relationship management, and strategic communication to secure funding for nonprofit organizations. Adept at leveraging social media platforms and traditional outreach to engage donors and build long-term partnerships.

Experience

Senior Fundraising Specialist

Children’s Hospital Fund, New York, NY, March 2020 – Present

• Plan and implement fundraising strategies, resulting in a 40% increase in donor contributions year-over-year.
• Develop and manage major gift campaigns, targeting high-net-worth individuals and corporate sponsors.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, ensuring continuous engagement and commitment to the cause.
• Lead a team of junior fundraising staff, overseeing the logistics of donor events and campaign initiatives.

Fundraising Specialist

Human Rights Watch, New York, NY, June 2015 – February 2020

• Coordinated annual fundraisers that raised over $1 million in total donations.
• Conducted donor research and managed donor databases, ensuring accurate records and follow-ups.
• Created compelling fundraising materials, including email newsletters, social media posts, and brochures, that increased donor engagement.
• Engaged with corporate sponsors, securing in-kind donations and event sponsorships.

Education

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Columbia University, New York, NY

Graduated: May 2015

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Graduated: May 2011

Certifications

• Certified Fund Raising Executive, June 2019
• Nonprofit Management Certificate, September 2017

Skills

• Donor Engagement & Cultivation
• Event Planning and Management
• Major Gift Campaigns
• Database Management
• Budgeting and Financial Reporting
• Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
• Social Media Strategy

How to format a nonprofit resume?

• Choose plain fonts such as Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Georgia. These are widely accepted in business settings.
• Utilize 10-12 point font size for the body text. For section headings or your name, you can go slightly larger (14-16 point).
• Set 1-inch margins on all sides to ensure your paper looks balanced and uncluttered.
• Leave adequate space between sections of resume to help the reader distinguish between different areas of your document clearly.
• A resume for a nonprofit position should typically be one page resume for less experienced candidates.
• Apply active verbs to your resume to begin your bullet points and descriptions.
• Align your text neatly (left or centered) and stay away from excessive use of different styles or colors.
• Incorporate relevant keywords for resume from the job listing to pass through ATS.
• Always proofread your draft for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
• While some color accents (e.g., for headings) can add a touch of personality, refrain from bright or distracting colors.

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Nonprofit manager resume

Nonprofit manager resume example

David Mitchell

Chicago, IL
Email: david.mitchell@gmail.com
Phone: (312) 555-4382

Resume Summary

Experienced Nonprofit Manager with expertise in leading diverse teams, managing complex operations, and ensuring regulatory compliance within nonprofit organizations. Demonstrated success in increasing program impact, improving operational efficiency, and aligning organizational goals with the needs of the community.

Professional Experience

Nonprofit Manager

Chicago Youth Development, IL

January 2016 – Present

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of a community-focused nonprofit organization, managing a team of 20 professionals.
• Increased program enrollment by 25% over two years through the introduction of innovative outreach strategies and strategic community partnerships.
• Fostered transparent communication between the board of directors and program staff, facilitating alignment and supporting the execution of strategic initiatives.
• Launched new youth development programs that directly impacted over 300 local families, improving community engagement by 40%.

Program Director

Habitat for Humanity Chicago, IL

June 2011 – December 2015

• Directed multiple large-scale housing development projects, ensuring completion on-time, within budget, and in accordance with quality standards.
• Secured over $500,000 in funding from local government agencies, private donors, and corporate partners, exceeding fundraising goals by 30%.
• Streamlined project management processes, reducing project timelines by 15% while maintaining quality and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Organized community volunteer efforts, increasing participation by 50%, and fostering strong community relations through collaborative initiatives.

Education

Master of Nonprofit Management

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

Graduated: May 2011

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

University of Chicago, IL

Graduated: May 2007

Certifications

• Nonprofit Leadership Certificate, August 2014
• Certified Nonprofit Professional, November 2012

Skills

• Expertise in developing and executing nonprofit strategies to maximize impact.
• Proven success in managing and mentoring cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
• Experienced in overseeing nonprofit budgets and ensuring the financial health of organizations.
• Skilled in cultivating relationships with community leaders, donors, and stakeholders.
• Ability to design and implement metrics for assessing program success.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a history of resolving conflicts and navigating challenges to reach effective solutions.

Additional Experience

Volunteer Coordinator

Chicago Homeless Outreach, IL

January 2009 – May 2011

• Coordinated volunteer efforts to support outreach programs for homeless individuals in Chicago, increasing volunteer engagement by 40%.
• Managed logistics for community meals, clothing drives, and health initiatives, ensuring services were delivered efficiently and effectively.
• Developed partnerships with local businesses and organizations to provide ongoing support for homeless outreach programs.

Languages

• English – Native Proficiency
• Spanish – Intermediate Proficiency

Awards

• Nonprofit Excellence Award, Chicago Youth Development – 2019
• Volunteer of the Year, Habitat for Humanity Chicago – 2014

How to choose between summary and objective?

A resume summary is generally recommended for individuals with a significant amount of professional experience. It’s a great choice if you have a proven track record in your career and want to highlight your qualifications.

Example of a resume summary for nonprofit:

Resourceful and enthusiastic Volunteer Coordinator with 4 years of experience in managing volunteer teams, organizing community events, and implementing outreach programs. Strong organizational skills with a focus on increasing volunteer participation and fostering community partnerships.

An objective in resume is typically used by individuals who are recent graduates, career changers, or those reentering the workforce. It focuses on your goals and the direction you want to take with your next job.

Example of a nonprofit resume objective:

To contribute my expertise in program management to an organization that aligns with my passion for community impact. Seeking to drive innovative programs and build partnerships that support long-term social change.

How to organize education on a resume for nonprofit?

Each academic entry should contain:

• Degree: Include the title.
• Institution: Write the full name of the school or university.
• Location: Specify the city and state.
• Graduation Date: Indicate the month and year.
• Additional Details: GPA (if it's high and recent), relevant coursework, honors, certifications, or extracurricular activities.

Grant writer nonprofit resume

Grant writer nonprofit resume template

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Grant writer nonprofit resume sample | Plain text

Jessica Ford
Los Angeles, CA
Email: jessica.ford@gmail.com
Phone: (323) 555-2158

Resume Summary

Accomplished Grant Writer with experience securing funding for nonprofit organizations in education, healthcare, and social justice. Proven ability to write compelling grant proposals, manage donor relationships, and oversee the full grant lifecycle from research to submission.

Professional Experience

Senior Grant Writer

American Cancer Society, Los Angeles, CA | January 2019 – Present

• Secure over $2 million in grant funding annually from private foundations, government agencies, and corporate sponsors.
• Develop persuasive proposals tailored to diverse funders, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
• Create and maintain a comprehensive grant calendar, tracking deadlines for submissions and required reports.
• Manage and mentor a team of junior grant writers, improving team efficiency and proposal success rates.

Grant Writer

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, CA | June 2015 – December 2018

• Drafted and submitted grant applications, ensuring all proposals met funder requirements and program objectives.
• Assisted in compiling grant reports and financial documentation, ensuring compliance with funding agreements.
• Developed strong relationships with donors and funding agencies to secure recurring grants.

Education

Master of Arts in English Literature

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA | Graduated: May 2015

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

University of California, Berkeley, CA | Graduated: May 2011

Certifications

• Nonprofit Fundraising Certification – Association of Fundraising Professionals | April 2018
• Grant Writing Certificate – University of Washington | June 2016

Skills

• Grant Proposal Writing & Submission
• Funding Research & Donor Outreach
• Budgeting & Financial Management for Grants
• Donor Stewardship & Relationship Management
• Compliance & Post-Award Reporting
• Persuasive Writing & Communication

Additional Experience

Freelance Grant Writer

Self-Employed, Remote | 2013 – Present

• Assist small nonprofits in securing funding through grant writing services, research, and donor outreach strategies.
• Develop grant templates and training materials for organizations new to fundraising.

How to list experience on a nonprofit resume?

• Start with your most recent or current job and go backward.
• Each entry should contain title, organization name, location, dates of employment.
• Focus on achievements rather than just duties.
• Use numbers, metrics, or percentages to demonstrate impact.

If you have freelance work, consulting, or volunteer roles, create a separate section.

What are the key nonprofit skills for resume?

• Hard skills are technical, measurable abilities that are often gained through education or training. These are specific to a job and can be tested or certified.
• Soft skills are personal qualities, traits, and characteristics that affect how you interact with others and navigate the workplace. These are harder to quantify.

Conclusion

Creating a standout nonprofit resume requires a thoughtful approach to showcasing your skills, experience, and passion for making a difference.

With these examples of resumes as a guide, you can craft a document that catches the attention of hiring managers and opens doors to impactful opportunities.

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