Fundraiser Resume Example and Template
Fundraiser resumes must demonstrate total dollars raised, donor retention, and specific revenue sources (major gifts, grants, events, annual fund). Show the pipeline you built and the lifetime value you created.
Nonprofit hiring managers look first at your ability to cultivate relationships, write compelling grant proposals, and close major donors. Demonstrate both strategic planning and execution.
Also searched as
Development Director, Grant Writer and Coordinator, Development Associate
James Patterson: Fundraiser
Denver, CO, United States
Summary
Fundraiser with 8 years driving major gifts and grant funding for youth development and education nonprofits. Raised $6.8M across individual donors, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships. Expert in donor prospecting, proposal writing, and relationship stewardship using Salesforce and Bloomerang.
Work Experience
Development Director, Mile High Youth Academy
Jan 2023 – Present. Youth leadership nonprofit, annual budget $3.2M
- Developed and executed major gifts strategy, cultivating 28 donors at $25K+ level and increasing total major gifts revenue to $1.8M annually
- Wrote and submitted 12 foundation proposals, securing $960K in grant funding from Gates, Daniels Fund, and local community foundations
- Designed and launched signature gala event, generating $340K net revenue with attendance of 450 donors and volunteers
- Built donor database in Salesforce, tracking 1,200 constituents and creating automated cultivation workflows, boosting retention by 34%
Grant Writer and Coordinator, Denver Public Schools Foundation
Nov 2020 – Dec 2022. Education nonprofit raising funds for school programs, $8M annual revenue
- Managed $2.1M annual grant portfolio across 15 funders, meeting all reporting deadlines and achieving 92% renewal rate
- Researched and identified 45 new foundation prospects, submitting 18 LOIs and securing 8 new partnerships worth $580K over three years
- Collaborated with program staff to develop impact stories and data narratives for grant proposals and annual report
- Managed corporate sponsorship opportunities, landing three $50K+ corporate partnerships with tech companies
Development Associate, Urban Mentors Colorado
Aug 2018 – Oct 2020. Youth mentoring organization, annual budget $1.2M
- Coordinated annual fund campaign, managing direct mail and email outreach to 2,100 donors, raising $285K in unrestricted gifts
- Conducted 120+ donor calls and meetings, building relationships and increasing average gift size from $280 to $420
- Assisted with two fundraising events, managing logistics and donor stewardship, generating $95K combined net revenue
- Researched foundation funding opportunities and compiled 30 prospect profiles with prospect ratings and cultivation strategies
Education
University of Colorado Boulder
Bachelor of Arts, Nonprofit Management and Communications. Sep 2014 – May 2018
Skills
Grant writing, Major gifts cultivation, Donor prospect research, Salesforce, Bloomerang, Foundation reporting, Event planning, Donor stewardship, Proposal development, Impact measurement, Annual fund campaigns, Strategic planning
Languages
English
Certificates and Awards
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Association of Fundraising Professionals, 2022
Why this look works
Fundraising requires trust and warmth alongside professionalism. Donors need to sense genuine commitment to mission. A design that balances approachability with credibility, using nonprofit-friendly colors like deep green or teal, shows alignment with values-driven organizations.
Resume tips for this job
- Always lead with total dollars raised, broken by source (major gifts, grants, events, annual fund). Include both annual and career totals.
- Mention your largest single gift closed and the donor cultivation time. This shows sophistication in high-touch relationship work.
- Highlight retention and renewal rates. Keeping donors is harder than acquiring them, and rates above 85% demonstrate excellence.
- Include one grant or major donor win that directly funded a measurable program outcome, like scholarships awarded or students served.
Common questions
I raised money for causes I don't fully believe in. How do I talk about that?
Frame it as professional competency and learning. Emphasize the skills you built, the tactics that worked, and the donors you cultivated. Use this to show adaptability and integrity.
My nonprofit has a small budget and small donor base. Will that hurt me?
No, if your numbers are impressive relative to your scope. A $400K fundraiser at a $500K organization is stronger than $3M at a $20M organization. Show growth trajectory and donor acquisition rate.
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The person, employers and numbers in this example are fictional, written to show what a strong resume for this job looks like.