Finding your footing in the world of fundraising is more than just knowing about money. It's about building relationships, showcasing empathy, and understanding the art of persuasion. All these must shine through in that all-important document that reflects your professional journey: your CV. As a recruiter, our eyes seek individuals who can balance these skills artfully.
The typical fundraising career path kicks off with frontline roles, like an officer or coordinator, before advancing into managerial positions, and perhaps executive directorships one day. However, the dynamic nature of this industry has diversified these roles, with social media fundraising and digital outreach gaining prominence in 2023-2024.
Speaking of CVs and resumes, let's clear up some confusion. Often, these two terms are used interchangeably and, essentially, they are the same in most industries, including fundraising. In the UK, Europe and Australia, or companies from those regions, 'resume' usually shifts to 'CV'. Sure, you might have heard that CVs are lengthy, 3-4 page documents – but that's mainly in the research or academic field. For fundraising vacancies, favor a concise 1-2 pager.
Moving ahead in this article, we'll pop the lid on what works in CVs for 2024. We'll be digging deeper into skills that could give you the edge, provide practical examples and suggest templates for various fundraising roles. Remember, a CV is your first impression, and it needs to be spot on. Let's make sure yours invites for more than just a glance.
In the heart of the non-profit sector, the Fundraising Chair plays a vital role in securing the resources that an organization needs to meet its mission. A CV for this role should be a testament to your ability to build relationships and create opportunities. Nowadays, fundraising requires more than just bringing in money. It's about leveraging social media, spearheading innovative fundraising campaigns and adapting to philanthropic trends. When you're crafting your CV, don't just think about the funds you've raised, think about the strategies you've implemented, the teams you've led, and the changes you've made.
As a Fundraising Chair, you’ve likely planned and executed multiple fundraising projects. On your CV, outline these initiatives, focusing on the strategy you applied and the measurable impact of your efforts.
Leadership is key in a Fundraising Chair role. You should mention the size of the teams you've managed, the training and development programs you've initiated, and instances where you've motivated teams to achieve fundraising goals.
The Fundraising Coordinator role is an essential position in any non-profit organization, mainly responsible for the lifeblood of the charitable institution – getting funds. Your CV should reflect your ability to effectively bring in financial support and manage relationships with donors. Recently, the emphasis has been on digital fundraising, with online campaigns seeing significant success. It's become so impactful that coordinators need to showcase how adept they are at leveraging digital platforms to persuade potential donors to contribute.
Another trend you'll want to focus on is donor management software. Organizations prefer candidates who can demonstrate familiarity with such tools. Show on your CV that you understand how to use these systems to identify, engage, and track donors efficiently.
Since digital fundraising has been gaining ground, mention your experience or skills in running effective online fundraising campaigns. It's worth detailing any specific digital collateral you've managed, e.g., emails, web content, social media posts, or even virtual events.
Show your prospective employers that you're already familiar with the tools they use daily. Doing so will make them feel confident about your ability to hit the ground running. So, list any donor management software that you've used, like DonorPerfect, Network for Good, or Raiser’s Edge.
Raising funds is the heart of a Fundraiser's role. It's not just about asking for money, but weaving stories that ignite generosity. Skills of persuasion, marketing, and project management should shine in your CV. Review the job description. Match your skills to what they need. Include them in your CV's Skills section or in your work experience. For example, you may say, 'Organised a major charity event, using strong project management skills.'
A CV passes first through a gatekeeper, an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). It likes to see job-relevant skills. To win over this digital guardian, your CV should be rich in key skills. Specific software skills, like mastery in fundraising software DonorPerfect, should be mentioned. You can say, 'Managed database of donors using DonorPerfect.' Catchy, yet true.
So, a Fundraising CV isn't just a piece of paper. It's a mirror that shows your readiness to make a positive mark. With the right skills, you can convince recruiters that you are the one they need.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Fundraising job descriptions and CVs. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
The heart of a fundraiser's job is to inspire others and bring in donations. In your CV, you need to show that same drive and passion. Using action verbs can make your CV come alive. Let's look at verbs that match the spirit of the fundraising world.
"Orchestrated", for example, shows your ability to lead efforts. You might say, "Orchestrated a charity concert that raised $100,000." This verb hints at your leadership skills. A phrase like, "Nurtured relationships with major donors," uses "nurtured" to show you can carefully grow and maintain funding relationships.
Using the right words brings your skills and achievements into focus. It might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference. These action verbs can make your CV stronger and more interesting. They show hiring managers you understand the key parts of your role.
For more related action verbs, visit Sales Action Verbs.
For a full list of effective CV action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
