Why this resume works
- Quantifies accomplishments: By citing a 25% funding boost and organizing a $10k fundraiser, the applicant effectively conveys accomplishments on his resume in ways that foreground measurable value.
- Highlights industry-specific skills: Integrating skills like stakeholder engagement, volunteer recruitment, and social media campaigns shows deep nonprofit expertise tailored to leadership roles in community outreach and fundraising efforts.
- Showcases career progression: Progressing from volunteer coordinator to program director within five years reflects increasing responsibility and leadership growth in managing teams, programs, and large-scale initiatives.
More Nonprofit Resume Examples
Take a look at our nonprofit resume examples to learn how to highlight your passion, organizational skills, and community impact. These samples will help you build a resume that resonates with mission-driven organizations.
Entry-Level Nonprofit
Why this resume works
- Effective use of keywords: Incorporating role-specific keywords like volunteer management and grant writing cleverly boosts the resume’s visibility to applicant tracking systems by using relevant keywords from the job listing.
- Shows digital literacy: The applicant’s grasp of digital platforms for event planning and budget management highlights their readiness to use the types of computer skills essential in the modern workplace.
- Centers on academic background: Listing impressive educational achievements like a master’s degree in nonprofit management, which are important for early-career success in nonprofit management.
Mid-Level Nonprofit
Why this resume works
- Points to measurable outcomes: By showcasing achievements like growing a donor base by 25% and increasing outreach by 40%, the applicant’s results-driven mindset is clear through these measurable outcomes.
- Clear contact information: A resume header that offers clear, professional contact details is important for ensuring potential employers can easily reach out for opportunities.
- Includes a mix of soft and hard skills: The applicant effectively mixes hard skills like fundraising and budget management with interpersonal skills like organization, creating a well-rounded skill set essential for nonprofit success.
Experienced Nonprofit
Why this resume works
- Showcases accomplishments: By listing impressive accomplishments, the applicant clearly displays valuable senior-level performance and significant business impact.
- Lists relevant certifications: Listing certifications such as Certified Fund Raising Executive and Nonprofit Leadership Certificate supports expertise in fundraising and highlights commitment to continuous learning.
- Focuses on work history: Emphasizing work history through a chronological resume format effectively showcases extensive career experience in nonprofit management roles from program assistant to development manager.
Nonprofit Resume Template (Text Version)
Michael Lee
Lakeside, CA 92040
(555)555-5555
Michael.Lee@example.com
Professional Summary
Dynamic Nonprofit Director skilled in fundraising, outreach, and leadership. Proven track record of increasing engagement and funding by leveraging strategic partnerships and effective program management.
Work History
Nonprofit Program Director
Compassionate Initiatives Group – Lakeside, CA
June 2023 – June 2025
- Led efforts to achieve 25% funding increase
- Managed team of 15 volunteers for 3 years
- Coordinated successful k fundraiser
Community Engagement Manager
Impactful Outreach Strategies – Lakeside, CA
January 2021 – May 2023
- Increased community program participation by 40%
- Oversaw social media campaigns boosting engagement
- Held monthly workshops with 50+ attendees
Volunteer Coordinator
Future Pathways Alliance – San Diego, CA
June 2020 – December 2020
- Recruited and trained 100 new volunteers
- Implemented tracking system improving efficiency
- Organized successful annual charity event
Skills
- Fundraising Strategies
- Project Management
- Community Outreach
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Team Leadership
- Event Planning
- Volunteer Recruitment
- Social Media Campaigns
Certifications
- Certified Nonprofit Leader – Nonprofit Leadership Alliance
- Project Management Professional – PMI Institute
Education
Master of Public Administration Public Administration
University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California
May 2020
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology Sociology
University of Washington Seattle, Washington
May 2018
Languages
- Spanish – Beginner (A1)
- French – Beginner (A1)
- Mandarin – Intermediate (B1)
Related Resume Examples
- Aviation
- Banking
- Billing And Collections
- Biology
- Business Operations
- Casino
- Chemistrys
- Child Care
- Civil Engineering
- Compliance
- Computers Hardware
- Computers Software
- Construction
- Copywriting
- Cosmetology
- Culinary
- Customer Service
- Data & Systems Administration
- Dentistry
- Driving
- Education
- Electrical Engineering
- Electrical
- Energy
- Engineering
- Entertainment
- Entrepreneur
- Environmental
- Event Planning
- Fashion
- Film
- Finance
- Fitness & Nutrition
- Food Service
- Freelancing
- General Laborer
- Government
- Graphic Web Design
- Health Care Support
- Hospitality
- Human Resources
- Hvac
- Industrial Engineerings
- Information Technology
- Insurance
- Interior Design
- Inventory Management
- Janitorial
- Law
- Law Enforcement
- Library
- Logistics
- Maintenance
- Marina and Boatings
- Marketing
- Mechanical Engineerings
- Mechanics
- Media And Communication
- Medical
- Mental Health
- Metal Work
- Military
- Mining
- Museum
- Music
- Nursing
- Pharmaceutical
- Photographer
- Physical Therapy
- Plumbing
- Production
- Psychology
- Purchasing
- Quality control
- Real Estate
- Religion
- Retail
- Safety And Security
- Sales
- Sciences
- Shipping
- Social Services
- Special Education
- Sports
- Statistics
- Student
- Teaching
- Top Dances
- Training Development
- Transportation
- Travel
- Veterinary
- Web Development
Advice for Writing Your Nonprofit Resume
Crafting a resume for a nonprofit position is all about highlighting your passion and dedication to making a difference. Whether you’re aiming to work in fundraising, program management, or community outreach, it’s key to spotlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the organization’s mission.
Dive into our tailored advice on how to write a resume to discover tips specific to the nonprofit sector and learn how to effectively present your story and commitment to change.
Highlight your most relevant skills
When applying for a nonprofit job, listing your skills is super important. It helps hiring managers and recruiters see what you can do and why you’d be a good fit for the role. Make sure to include both technical skills, like fundraising or event planning, and interpersonal skills, like teamwork and communication. This mix shows that you’re not only capable of handling tasks but also great at working with others.
Adding a dedicated Skills section to your resume makes it easier for employers to spot your strengths right away. It’s a quick way to show off what you bring to the table. But don’t stop there! You can also weave these skills into your work experience section. By doing this, you give concrete examples of how you’ve used your skills in real situations, making them even more impressive.
Remember, showing how your skills match the nonprofit world is key. Nonprofits often look for people who are passionate and ready to help make a difference. So think about all the ways you’ve helped before and highlight those experiences in both your Skills section and throughout your resume. This makes it clear that you’re not just talking—you’ve got the actions to back it up!
Select a resume format that highlights your achievements in volunteer coordination, fundraising efforts, and community outreach.
Showcase your accomplishments
When showcasing your accomplishments in the nonprofit sector, it’s essential to organize your work experience in reverse chronological order. To do this, start with your most recent job and work backward.
Each role should include your job title, the employer’s name, the location, and the dates you worked there. This format helps employers quickly see where you’ve been recently active and how you’ve progressed over time.
To make your resume stand out, focus on quantifying your accomplishments rather than just listing responsibilities. Instead of saying you “managed a team,” highlight that you “led a team of 10 volunteers to raise $50,000 for local shelters.” Numbers like percentages, time savings, cost reductions, or efficiency improvements bring your achievements to life and show real impact.
Quantified accomplishments are important because they help hiring managers quickly understand your skills and contributions. By turning duties into measurable achievements, you paint a clearer picture of your capabilities and value in the non-profit world. This approach not only highlights what you’ve done but also shows potential employers what you’re capable of achieving for them.
5 nonprofit work history bullet points
- Led fundraising campaigns that raised over $250,000 annually, surpassing donation goals by 15%.
- Implemented community outreach programs, increasing volunteer engagement by 40% in the first year.
- Developed and managed a donor database of 3,000+ contributors, improving donor retention rate by 20%.
- Coordinated large-scale events with attendance exceeding 500 participants, improving organization visibility.
- Facilitated partnerships with local businesses and organizations, securing in-kind donations worth $50,000 annually.
Choose a resume template that has clear sections and simple fonts, keeping the design minimal to ensure your skills and experience grab attention instead of the layout.
Write a strong professional summary
The paragraph at the top of your resume acts as a brief introduction for hiring managers, helping them quickly understand who you are and what you bring to the table. When crafting this paragraph, you have the option to include either a professional summary or an resume objective. Choosing between these depends on your experience and career goals.
A professional summary typically consists of 3-4 sentences that highlight your experience, skills, and notable achievements. It’s best suited for those with substantial work history in their field, like someone working in nonprofit management. The purpose is to clearly communicate your professional identity and the value you offer to potential employers.
In contrast, a resume objective focuses on your career goals and is ideal for entry-level applicants, career changers, or individuals with employment gaps. While a summary highlights “what I’ve accomplished,” an objective addresses “what I aim to contribute.”
Next, we’ll provide examples of both summaries and objectives tailored for various career situations and levels of experience to help illustrate how each can be effectively used.
Nonprofit resume summary examples
Entry-level
Recent nonprofit management graduate with a focus on community development and social impact. Completed internships with local organizations, assisting in event planning, volunteer coordination, and grant research. Skilled in using CRM tools and passionate about fostering collaborations to drive positive change.
Mid-career
Nonprofit program coordinator with 6+ years of experience designing and managing community outreach initiatives. Proven track record in securing funding through grant writing and building partnerships with stakeholders. Strong background in data analysis to measure program effectiveness and improve service delivery for underserved populations.
Experienced
Seasoned nonprofit director with over 15 years of leadership experience in advocacy, fundraising, and organizational growth. Expert in strategic planning, donor relations, and team development, resulting in a 40% increase in annual donations over five years. Committed to advancing mission-driven programs that address systemic inequities and empower communities.
Nonprofit resume objective examples
Entry-level
Dedicated and community-focused individual with a strong passion for social impact seeking an entry-level role in the nonprofit sector. Possesses academic training in public service and volunteer experience supporting outreach programs, aiming to contribute to initiatives that foster positive change.
Career changer
Driven professional transitioning into the nonprofit field, bringing transferable skills in project coordination and stakeholder engagement from prior roles. Eager to apply strong organizational abilities and a commitment to social justice to support mission-driven programs that benefit under-served communities.
Recent graduate
Socially conscious recent graduate with a degree in sociology and hands-on volunteer experience assisting grassroots campaigns. Aspires to join a nonprofit organization focused on community development, leveraging research skills and enthusiasm for advocacy work to help achieve organizational goals.
Make your resume stand out by using our Resume Builder to highlight your nonprofit experience and skills in a clear, professional format.
Match your resume to the job description
Tailoring your resume to each job description is key to getting noticed by employers. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for keywords and phrases from their job postings. If you includes these terms on your resume, you’ve made an ATS-friendly resume that’s much more likely to make it past the screening software and into the hands of a hiring manager.
An ATS-friendly resume is one that uses keywords from the job posting, matching them with your skills and experiences. These keywords help show that you have what the employer is looking for. When your resume aligns with these terms, you increase your chances of catching a hiring manager’s attention.
To find keywords in a job posting, look for skills, qualifications, and tasks mentioned more than once. For example, if you see phrases like “patient care,” “clinical assessments,” or “healthcare team collaboration,” make sure to include those exact words in your resume.
Incorporate these terms naturally within your resume content. For instance, if a job requires providing high-quality patient care, you might write: “Delivered high-quality patient care to improve overall health outcomes.”
Believe it or not, customizing your resume to incorporate keyword targets is the best way to get noticed by hiring managers and land an interview.
Looking for another way to get your resume past the ATS? Our ATS Resume Checker reviews important details and shows you improvements that will boost your job prospects.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my non profit resume?
Yes, including a cover letter with your nonprofit resume is important.
It gives you the chance to express your passion for the organization’s mission and how your values align with theirs.
A cover letter helps you highlight specific experiences that make you a great fit for the role, such as volunteer work or community involvement.
If the non-profit focuses on a particular cause, this is where you can mention any related experience or personal connection.
You might want to check out some cover letter examples, including some that are tailored specifically for nonprofits, to get an idea of how to structure yours effectively.
Additionally, using tools like our Cover Letter Generator can simplify the process by offering expert content suggestions and step-by-step guidance.
How long should a non profit’s resume be?
For most job seekers, aim for a one-page resume. One page is plenty of space to highlight your key skills and experiences. Focus on showcasing your commitment to mission-driven work, fundraising expertise, volunteer coordination, or program management.
If you have extensive experience or specialized qualifications that require more explanation, stretching to a two-page resume is acceptable.
Nevertheless, make sure every detail adds value by highlighting accomplishments like successful campaigns or community impact. Tailor your resume to emphasize recent roles and achievements that demonstrate your passion for non-profit work.
Explore our guide on how long a resume should be for more examples and tips tailored to different career stages.
How do you write a non profit resume with no experience?
To create a strong resume with no experience, focus on showcasing your enthusiasm for the cause, transferable skills, and any volunteer work or school projects connected to the non-profit field.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Highlight transferable skills: Focus on soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. If you’ve managed projects or led teams in school or during volunteer work, include those experiences.
- Showcase education: Place your education section near the top of your resume. Include majors or courses related to social sciences, public administration, or any specific areas relevant to the non-profit’s mission.
- Include volunteer work: Even if unpaid, volunteering is valuable experience in the non-profit world. Detail your contributions and any leadership roles you held while volunteering.
Finally, consider reviewing job postings from similar organizations to identify keywords and qualifications you can incorporate into your resume.
Rate this article
Non Profit
Additional Resources
The Remote Work Divide: Survey Reveals 51% of Workers Would Quit Over RTO Mandates
Faced with increasing return-to-office (RTO) mandates, including President Trump’s recent executive order requiring all federal employees to return to the office, American workers are pushing back against rigid workplace policies. A
Manager Resume Examples & Templates
A manager resume is crucial for job seekers looking to advance their careers in management. This document represents a candidate’s professional experience, skills and achievements in management. A well-crafted manager
Medical Receptionist Resume Examples & Templates for 2025
Entry-level
Medical Office Assistant Resume Examples & Templates for 2025
Explore medical office assistant resume examples that show how to highlight your experience managing patient records, scheduling appointments, and assisting with medical billing.Build my resumeImport existing resumeCustomize this templateWhy this
Medical Billing Resume Examples & Templates for 2025
Explore medical billing resume examples that demonstrate how to showcase your skills in handling patient data, insurance claims, and keeping records organized.Build my resumeImport existing resumeCustomize this templateWhy this
Front Desk Clerk Resume Examples & Templates for 2025
Explore front desk clerk resume examples that demonstrate how to showcase your ability to greet visitors, handle phone calls, and manage schedules.Build my resumeImport existing resumeCustomize this templateWhy this