Fundraiser Resume examples & templates

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Copyable resume examples

Copyable Fundraiser Resume examples

Ever wondered what drives successful fundraising campaigns behind the scenes? Fundraisers are the passionate professionals who turn "maybe someday" donations into "right now" support for causes that matter. They're part storyteller, part strategist, and completely essential to nonprofits, educational institutions, and advocacy groups worldwide. With charitable giving in the US reaching $499.3 billion in 2022 despite economic challenges, skilled fundraisers have never been more valuable.

The fundraising landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years. Digital giving platforms have democratized donations, while donor expectations for transparency and impact reporting continue to rise. Modern fundraisers now balance traditional relationship-building with data analytics, social media savvy, and grant writing expertise. Many organizations are moving away from event-dependent models toward sustainable monthly giving programs—a trend that's creating exciting opportunities for fundraisers who can think creatively about donor engagement. As philanthropic priorities evolve to address urgent social and environmental challenges, fundraisers will continue shaping how resources flow toward solving our most pressing problems.

Junior Fundraiser Resume Example

Miranda Blackwell

Chicago, IL | (773) 555-4287 | m.blackwell@email.com | linkedin.com/in/mirandablackwell

Fundraising professional with 1+ year of experience in nonprofit development and donor relations. I’ve worked on campaigns that raised over $47,000 for community programs, managed donor databases, and built relationships with corporate sponsors. Seeking to grow my career in fundraising while making a meaningful impact in the social sector.

EXPERIENCE

Development Assistant | Chicago Community Foundation | January 2023 – Present

  • Support the planning and execution of 3 annual fundraising events generating $32,000+ in donations
  • Maintain donor database of 500+ contacts, ensuring accurate record-keeping and timely follow-ups
  • Draft personalized thank-you letters and email communications, improving donor retention by 12%
  • Collaborate with marketing team on social media fundraising campaigns that reached 8,700+ followers
  • Assist with grant research and proposal preparation, contributing to successful funding of $15,000 for youth programs

Fundraising Intern | Midwest Animal Rescue | May 2022 – December 2022

  • Helped coordinate summer fundraising drive that exceeded target by $4,200 (21% above goal)
  • Managed donation processing and donor acknowledgment for gifts ranging from $5 to $1,000
  • Created content for monthly donor newsletter sent to 750+ supporters
  • Conducted research on 15+ potential corporate sponsors and prepared briefing documents

Volunteer Coordinator | Campus Food Pantry | September 2020 – May 2022

  • Organized student volunteer schedule ensuring adequate staffing for pantry operations
  • Led campus donation drive collecting 1,200+ non-perishable food items
  • Implemented sign-up system that increased volunteer retention by 35%

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Communications | University of Illinois at Chicago | 2022

  • Minor: Nonprofit Management
  • Relevant Coursework: Grant Writing, Public Relations, Nonprofit Administration
  • GPA: 3.7/4.0

CERTIFICATIONS

Fundraising Fundamentals Certificate | Association of Fundraising Professionals | 2023

CRM Database Management | Blackbaud University | 2023

SKILLS

  • Donor Relations & Stewardship
  • Event Planning & Coordination
  • Grant Research
  • Donor Database Management (Raiser’s Edge)
  • Social Media Fundraising
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • CRM Software (Salesforce)
  • Email Marketing (Mailchimp)
  • Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
  • Volunteer Management

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, Member since 2022

Mid-level Fundraiser Resume Example

Melissa J. Donovan

Boston, MA • (617) 555-8723 • mdonovan84@gmail.com • linkedin.com/in/melissadonovan

Relationship-focused fundraising professional with 5+ years of experience driving donor engagement and meeting ambitious fundraising targets. Skilled at building lasting connections with major donors and coordinating successful fundraising campaigns. Proven track record of exceeding annual goals through strategic planning and authentic donor stewardship.

EXPERIENCE

Development Manager
Boston Children’s Health Foundation • Boston, MA • January 2021 – Present

  • Manage portfolio of 75+ donors and prospects with giving capacity of $10,000-$100,000, securing $487,000 in new gifts during FY2022 (22% above target)
  • Led successful capital campaign that raised $1.2M for new pediatric cancer wing, personally securing 3 gifts over $75,000
  • Coordinate quarterly donor appreciation events averaging 40-60 attendees, resulting in 28% increase in donor retention
  • Supervise 2 Development Associates, providing mentorship and professional development opportunities
  • Collaborate with marketing team to create compelling donor communications and impact reports

Development Coordinator
Greater Boston Food Bank • Boston, MA • March 2019 – December 2020

  • Managed mid-level giving program ($1,000-$9,999), increasing donor retention from 62% to 78% in first year
  • Created and implemented monthly giving program “Sustaining Hunger Solutions” that attracted 127 new donors in first 6 months
  • Planned and executed 5 fundraising events annually, raising average of $93,500 per event
  • Drafted grant proposals resulting in $175,000 in foundation funding for emergency food assistance program

Development Assistant
Cambridge Arts Council • Cambridge, MA • June 2018 – February 2019

  • Supported annual fund campaign that raised $234,000 (12% increase over previous year)
  • Maintained donor database of 1,500+ constituents and processed all gift acknowledgments
  • Assisted with logistics for annual gala fundraiser attended by 200+ community members

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Minor in Nonprofit Management
Boston University • Boston, MA • 2017

Certificate in Fundraising Management
CFRE International • 2020

SKILLS

  • Donor Relationship Management
  • Major Gift Solicitation
  • Event Planning & Coordination
  • Grant Writing
  • Raiser’s Edge CRM
  • Donor Stewardship
  • Capital Campaign Management
  • Fundraising Analytics
  • Corporate Sponsorship
  • Planned Giving (basic knowledge)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Member since 2019
Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN), Boston Chapter

Senior / Experienced Fundraiser Resume Example

ALEXIS J. HARRINGTON

(415) 555-8924 • alexis.harrington@email.com • San Francisco, CA
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexisharrington • Fundraising Professional with 12+ years’ experience

Dedicated fundraising leader with a proven track record of securing major gifts and managing comprehensive development programs that have raised over $19M throughout my career. I blend strategic planning with authentic relationship-building to connect donors with impactful giving opportunities. Experienced in leading campaigns across multiple sectors including higher education, healthcare, and environmental conservation with particular strength in major gift cultivation and corporate partnerships.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Bay Area Health Foundation • San Francisco, CA • January 2019 – Present

  • Oversee annual fundraising program generating $4.7M+ annually through major gifts, planned giving, annual fund, and special events
  • Led successful capital campaign that raised $12.3M (23% above goal) for new pediatric wing while maintaining annual fundraising targets
  • Manage team of 6 development professionals while serving as primary relationship manager for 75+ major donor prospects ($25k+)
  • Secured foundation’s first-ever 7-figure gift ($1.2M) through 18-month cultivation process with local philanthropist
  • Implemented Raiser’s Edge conversion that increased gift processing efficiency by 37% and improved donor data management
  • Established corporate partnership program resulting in $825k in new funding from healthcare industry partners

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, MAJOR GIFTS
Golden State University • Oakland, CA • March 2015 – December 2018

  • Managed portfolio of 120+ major gift prospects and donors, securing $1.8M+ annually for university priorities
  • Developed and executed strategies for cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts ranging from $10k to $500k
  • Created and led “Dean’s Circle” giving society that increased donor retention from 68% to 91% among $25k+ donors
  • Collaborated with faculty and university leadership to identify funding opportunities aligned with institutional priorities
  • Designed and implemented legacy giving program that resulted in 14 new planned gifts valued at $3.2M in first year

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Pacific Conservation Alliance • Berkeley, CA • August 2011 – February 2015

  • Managed annual fund program, increasing revenue by 43% over 3 years through multi-channel appeals
  • Wrote and secured 9 foundation grants totaling $572k for habitat preservation initiatives
  • Coordinated 2 annual fundraising events, raising $215k while reducing event expenses by 18%
  • Implemented organization’s first monthly giving program, acquiring 187 sustaining donors in first year
  • Collaborated with communications team on donor newsletters, impact reports, and digital engagement

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Master of Public Administration – UC Berkeley, 2010
Emphasis in Nonprofit Management

Bachelor of Arts, Communications – University of Oregon, 2007
Minor in Business Administration

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) – Since 2016
Certificate in Planned Giving – Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2018

SKILLS & EXPERTISE

  • Major Gift Cultivation & Solicitation
  • Capital Campaign Leadership
  • Corporate & Foundation Relations
  • Planned Giving Strategies
  • Board Development & Engagement
  • Case Statement Development
  • CRM Management (Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce)
  • Donor Stewardship Programs
  • Grant Writing & Management
  • Budget Development & Oversight
  • Cross-functional Team Leadership

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) – Board Member, Golden Gate Chapter
Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
Women in Development Network – Mentor

How to Write a Fundraiser Resume

Introduction

Landing that perfect fundraising job starts with a resume that showcases your ability to bring in donations, build relationships, and drive campaigns forward. As someone who's reviewed thousands of fundraiser resumes over the years, I can tell you that development directors and nonprofit leaders spend about 6-8 seconds scanning each resume before deciding whether to continue reading. Your resume needs to immediately demonstrate your fundraising prowess, relationship-building skills, and proven results—preferably with dollar signs attached.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your fundraiser resume clean and scannable. Most nonprofits appreciate traditional formats that are easy to read, though a subtle touch of color (like navy blue section headers) can help your resume stand out without seeming unprofessional.

  • Stick to 1-2 pages (1 page for junior fundraisers, 2 pages for those with 5+ years experience)
  • Use clear section headings: Profile, Experience, Skills, Education, Certifications
  • Choose readable fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Georgia at 10-12pt size
  • Include plenty of white space – crowded resumes get overlooked
  • Save as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for a Word doc)

Profile/Summary Section

Your profile should immediately identify your fundraising specialty and highlight your biggest achievement. This 3-4 sentence paragraph serves as your elevator pitch to hiring managers.

Rather than stating "Experienced fundraiser with a passion for nonprofit work," try something specific like: "Development professional with 6 years specializing in major gifts and capital campaigns who secured a record-breaking $879K donation from a first-time corporate sponsor for XYZ Charity's new community center."

Professional Experience

This is where you'll really shine as a fundraiser. For each role, include:

  • Organization name, location, and dates (month/year)
  • Your specific role in the development team
  • 3-6 bullet points highlighting concrete achievements
  • Specific numbers: dollars raised, donor retention rates, event attendance, etc.

Example bullet points:

  • Increased annual fund donations by 32% ($143K to $189K) by implementing segmented email appeals and personalized follow-up calls
  • Planned and executed 3 annual gala events (250+ attendees each) that collectively netted $372K while reducing costs by 17%
  • Recruited and managed a team of 28 volunteers who contributed 1,470 hours to phone banking efforts during spring campaign

Education and Certifications

Fundraising often values experience over education, but relevant credentials still matter. Include:

  • Degree(s), institution, graduation year (omit dates if over 15 years ago)
  • Relevant certifications: CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive), AFP membership
  • Professional development: Grant writing workshops, major gift training, etc.

Keywords and ATS Tips

Most medium and large nonprofits use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. To get past these digital gatekeepers:

  • Include keywords from the job posting (donor relations, stewardship, annual giving)
  • Use standard section headings (not creative ones like "My Fundraising Journey")
  • List relevant CRM systems you've used (Raiser's Edge, DonorPerfect, Salesforce NPSP)
  • Mention specific fundraising methods (peer-to-peer, crowdfunding, planned giving)

Industry-specific Terms

Sprinkle these fundraising terms throughout your resume (where appropriate):

  • Donor acquisition, cultivation, and stewardship
  • Moves management
  • Capital campaigns
  • Major gifts
  • Grant proposals
  • Corporate sponsorships
  • Planned giving/legacy giving
  • Donor retention rate

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Vague statements without metrics ("Raised lots of money" vs. "Raised $87K through...")
  • Focusing on responsibilities rather than achievements
  • Too much emphasis on administrative tasks rather than relationship-building
  • Forgetting to mention specific campaigns you've worked on
  • Not tailoring your resume to the specific nonprofit's mission or focus

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for fundraising activities including donor communications and event planning."

After: "Designed and implemented comprehensive donor communication strategy that increased recurring monthly gifts by 47% ($8.2K to $12.1K monthly) and improved donor retention from 58% to 76% within 9 months."

Your fundraiser resume should tell the story of your impact, backed by hard numbers. Remember that development directors want to see evidence that you can bring in the money their organization needs to fulfill its mission. Good luck with your application!

Soft skills for your Fundraiser resume

  • Relationship cultivation – ability to build trust with donors over time through personalized engagement and genuine care for their philanthropic goals
  • Emotional intelligence – reading between the lines during donor conversations to understand unstated priorities and concerns
  • Storytelling that transforms organizational data into compelling narratives that resonate with different donor audiences
  • Cross-functional collaboration with program staff, finance teams and board members (especially during campaign planning)
  • Tactical resilience – bouncing back from rejected proposals while maintaining donor relationships for future opportunities
  • Event presence – comfortable speaking to groups of 10-200+ while maintaining personal connections throughout networking sessions

Hard skills for your Fundraiser resume

  • Donation Management Software (Raiser’s Edge, DonorPerfect, Bloomerang)
  • CRM Database Management & Segmentation
  • Grant Writing & Proposal Development
  • Fundraising Analytics & KPI Tracking
  • Planned Giving Program Administration
  • Digital Fundraising Campaigns (P2P, Crowdfunding)
  • Major Gift Solicitation Techniques
  • Donor Wealth Screening Tools (WealthEngine, DonorSearch)
  • Federal/State Charitable Registration Compliance