Why this resume works
- Quantifies accomplishments: By highlighting measurable outcomes like securing $250K in annual funding, the applicant shows their impact and business value.
- Showcases career progression: Starting as a fundraising coordinator and advancing to grant writer showcases the applicant’s steady career progression and increasing responsibilities over time.
- Illustrates problem-solving ability: The applicant strategically increased portfolio growth by 30%, reflecting strong problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
More Grant Writer Resume Examples
Review our grant writer resume examples to see how to highlight your persuasive writing, research skills, and successful funding proposals. These copywriting resume samples offer a solid base for crafting a resume that showcases your impact in securing grants.
Entry-Level Grant Writer
Why this resume works
- Effective use of keywords: The applicant weaves role-relevant keywords throughout their experience, such as “proposal development” and “fundraising strategies”, ensuring their resume stands out in applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Shows digital literacy: By researching and conducting data analysis, the applicant showcases digital readiness essential for modern workplaces, highlighting important computer skills.
- Centers on academic background: Highlighting a Masters degree on public administration in their education section positions the applicant as a strong fit for the role.
Mid-Level Grant Writer
Why this resume works
- Points to measurable outcomes: By showcasing achievements like securing $500k annually and improving success rates by 25%, the applicant emphasizes their ability to deliver measurable outcomes for nonprofit organizations.
- Displays technical expertise: Certifications such as Certified Grant Writer and Nonprofit Management Certification highlight specialized expertise that complements practical skills like proposal development and budgeting in nonprofit contexts.
- Includes a mix of soft and hard skills: Combining technical strengths with interpersonal skills through partner collaborations and donor relations, the applicant effectively bridges analytical precision with relationship-building capabilities.
Experienced Grant Writer
Why this resume works
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: By securing $2M and boosting funding success rates, the applicant’s accomplishments reflect impressive senior-level impact.
- Focuses on work history: The applicant effectively highlights their extensive work history, showcasing career growth over several years.
- Sections are well-organized: Through clear bullet points and headers, the resume’s sections are thoughtfully organized to ensure easy navigation and improve reader-friendliness.
Grant Writer Resume Template (Text Version)
Li Kim
Southgate, MI 48199
(555)555-5555
Li.Kim@example.com
Professional Summary
Seasoned grant writer with 7 years’ experience in securing funds and enhancing financial growth. Expert at crafting compelling proposals and collaborating with diverse teams to achieve strategic goals.
Work History
Grant Writer
Funding Solutions Inc. – Southgate, MI
January 2023 – July 2025
- Secured 0K in annual funding
- Enhanced portfolio by 30% growth
- Trained 10 junior staff on grant writing
Proposal Development Specialist
Visionary Grants LLC – Detroit, MI
January 2020 – December 2022
- Authored 50 proposals for clients
- Increased funding by 40% yearly
- Coordinated with 15 NGOs for projects
Fundraising Coordinator
Charitable Hearts Fund – Southgate, MI
January 2018 – December 2019
- Raised 0K for community initiatives
- Improved engagement by 25%
- Organized 30 fundraising events
Languages
- Spanish – Beginner (A1)
- French – Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
- German – Intermediate (B1)
Skills
- Grant writing expertise
- Fundraising strategies
- Proposal development
- Budget management
- Research acumen
- Collaborative teamwork
- Effective communication
- Project coordination
Certifications
- Certified Grant Writer – American Grant Writers Association
- Nonprofit Management Certificate – University of Chicago
Education
Master of Arts Nonprofit Management
Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois
June 2017
Bachelor of Arts Communications
University of Southern California Los Angeles, California
June 2015
Related Resume Guides
Advice for Writing Your Grant Writer Resume
Dive into our tips on how to write a resume for a grant writer position and discover how to highlight your storytelling skills and knack for securing funding.
Highlight your most relevant skills
Listing relevant skills when applying for a job like grant writer is key to catching the employer’s attention. It shows you have what it takes to do the job well.
A dedicated skills section can help highlight both technical skills, like writing and research, and soft skills, like communication and teamwork. Showing you have a mix of these skills tells employers you’re well-rounded and ready to handle different parts of the job.
To make your resume stand out even more, try weaving key skills into your work experience section. For example, if you’ve used your writing skills to secure funding in past jobs, mention that in your experience descriptions.
This not only backs up your claims but also paints a clearer picture of how you’ve applied these skills in real-world situations. By doing this, employers can see how your talents as a grant writer will benefit their organization right away.
Highlight your grant writing skills by selecting a resume format that showcases budgeting, compliance, and attention to detail.
Showcase your accomplishments
When organizing your work experience as a grant writer, start with the most recent job and go backwards. Each entry should include your job title, employer name, location, and the dates you worked there. This helps employers see your current skills first.
Instead of just listing responsibilities, focus on what you’ve achieved in each role. Use numbers to make your accomplishments stand out. For example, mention how much funding you secured or how many grant proposals you successfully completed.
Turning duties into achievements shows the impact of your work and paints a clearer picture of what you can do. Use strong action words like “secured,” “increased,” or “developed” to show results and keep it focused on measurable outcomes.
Quantified accomplishments allow hiring managers to quickly see the effect of your work as a grant writer. By showing clear results, like percentages or cost savings, you’re not just telling them what you did—you’re showing them why it mattered. This approach helps highlight your skills and makes your resume more compelling.
5 grant writer work history bullet points
- Secured over $500,000 in funding for non-profit programs by crafting compelling grant proposals that aligned with organizational goals.
- Increased approval rate of submitted grants by 25% through thorough research and tailored writing strategies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather necessary data, resulting in a 15% improvement in proposal completeness and accuracy.
- Developed a grant tracking system that streamlined the application process, reducing submission errors by 40%.
- Conducted workshops for staff on effective grant writing techniques, leading to a 30% increase in internal proposal submissions.
Choose a clean resume template with clear sections and simple fonts. Avoid fancy designs that can make it hard to read or distract from your skills and experience.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary serves as an introduction to hiring managers, summarizing your key skills and experiences effectively.
A professional summary is a brief paragraph showcasing your experience, skills, and achievements. It’s best for experienced applicants who want to highlight their professional identity and value right away.
In contrast, resume objectives are statements about your career goals. They are ideal for entry-level job seekers, career changers, or those with employment gaps. While summaries focus on “what I’ve accomplished,” objectives emphasize “what I aim to contribute.”
Let’s take a look at examples of both summaries and objectives tailored for different experience levels to guide you in crafting your own.
Grant writer resume summary examples
Entry-level
Recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in english and a certificate in grant writing from the University of California. Skilled in research, proposal writing, and budget preparation. Familiar with nonprofit sector dynamics and passionate about supporting organizations in securing funding to drive impactful projects.
Mid-career
Grant writer with over five years of experience in crafting compelling proposals for healthcare and education nonprofits. Proven track record of securing grants from federal agencies and private foundations. Excellent at collaborating with program directors to align funding opportunities with organizational goals, resulting in increased project success rates.
Experienced
Seasoned grant writer specializing in large-scale funding strategies for environmental conservation initiatives. Deep expertise in relationship building with funders and leading cross-departmental teams to develop innovative project concepts that resonate with donor priorities. Instrumental in raising over $10 million through strategic grant acquisition efforts, driving measurable impact across multiple regions.
Grant writer resume objective examples
Recent graduate
Detail-oriented recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in communication and coursework in grant writing, seeking an entry-level grant writer role to support nonprofit organizations in securing funding. Eager to apply strong research and persuasive writing skills to craft compelling proposals and assist in achieving mission-driven goals.
Career changer
Passionate professional transitioning from marketing into grant writing, offering expertise in persuasive communication, audience analysis, and strategic storytelling. Looking to contribute these transferable skills to write impactful grant proposals that help organizations expand their reach and secure important resources.
Aspiring professional
Ambitious individual with experience in academic research and volunteer fundraising seeking an opportunity as a grant writer. Dedicated to combining analytical abilities and creative writing talent to develop effective funding proposals that align with organizational objectives.
Create a standout resume quickly with our Resume Builder. Choose a template, add your grant writing skills, and get noticed faster!
Match your resume to the job description
Tailoring your resume to job descriptions is important because it makes you stand out and helps you get past applicant tracking systems (ATS). Many companies use ATS to scan resumes for specific keywords and phrases from job postings. If your resume doesn’t include these words, it might not even be seen by a human.
An ATS-friendly resume has the right keywords that match the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. By using these words, you increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers.
To find keywords in a job posting, look for repeated skills, qualifications, or duties. For example, if you’re applying for a grant writer position, you might see terms like ‘grant proposals,’ ‘fundraising strategies,’ or ‘nonprofit collaboration’ frequently. Use these exact phrases in your resume.
Incorporate these terms naturally into your resume by rewriting relevant parts of your experience. For instance, change “Wrote effective grants” to “Developed successful grant proposals that secured funding.” This shows how you’ve already done what the job requires.
By choosing to customize your resume and make it friendly to ATS software, you boost your chances of getting an interview. Matching your skills with what employers are looking for can lead to more job opportunities.
Make your resume shine! Our ATS Resume Checker quickly reviews your resume and gives helpful tips to increase your chances with hiring managers.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my grant writer resume?
Yes, including a cover letter with your grant writer resume is a smart move to make your application stronger.
It gives you the chance to highlight your passion for the specific organization and its mission, explaining why you’re drawn to their cause.
You can also expand on your experience in securing funds, providing examples of successful grants you’ve written that align with the organization’s goals, as shown in these cover letter examples.
A cover letter lets you showcase your skills in storytelling and persuasion—key aspects of grant writing—that aren’t always obvious from a resume alone.
Consider using tools like a Cover Letter Generator to draft a compelling cover letter that effectively captures your unique qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
How long should a grant writer’s resume be?
For a grant writer, aim for a one-page resume if you’re early in your career or have less experience; this format helps spotlight skills like persuasive writing and successful grant applications.
However, with significant achievements, a two-page resume is acceptable. Ensure every detail supports your ability to secure funding and showcases recent successes.
For more tailored advice on the ideal resume length at different career stages, check out our guide on how long a resume should be.
How do you write a grant writer resume with no experience?
If you have no professional experience as a grant writer, focus on your skills, education, and volunteer work to create a resume with no experience. Follow these tips:
- Highlight relevant education: If you majored in English, communications, or a related field, mention your degree prominently. Consider including any relevant coursework that focused on writing or research.
- Showcase transferable skills: Emphasize skills like persuasive writing, research capabilities, and attention to detail. These can be demonstrated through projects completed during your studies or volunteer experiences.
- Include volunteer work or internships: If you’ve volunteered with non-profits or taken part in internships where you helped with fundraising efforts or wrote proposals, list these experiences. Describe your role and the impact of your contributions.
- Feature accomplishments: Even if unrelated to grant writing directly, highlight achievements that demonstrate initiative or leadership such as coordinating events or managing budgets.
Tailor each section of your resume to reflect the qualities desired in a grant writer—strong communication skills, research proficiency, and persuasive storytelling—to position yourself as an excellent applicant for entry-level roles.
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