Resume Examples for Grant Writers

A grant writer’s resume or CV varies significantly based on experience level, from entry-level to seasoned professionals. Explore templates tailored for each stage and use our Resume Builder to create your own.

Entry-Level Grant Writer Resume

Ideal for recent graduates needing guidance on creating a resume for the first time, this template is also perfect for career changers entering the grant writing field from other professions.

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Why this resume works:

This example highlights a solid educational background with a master’s degree in nonprofit management and relevant experience in grant writing. By leveraging their academic achievements and skills, entry-level applicants can demonstrate their qualifications while showcasing qualities such as effective communication and project coordination that are valued by employers.

Mid-Career Grant Writer Resume

A good fit for grant writers with several years of experience, this template emphasizes successful proposals and supports advancement into leadership or specialized funding roles.

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Why this resume works:

Action verbs like “secured,” “boosted,” and “authored” highlight proactive engagement in grant writing. The quantifiable achievements, such as “securing $500K funding for new initiatives” and “increasing grant success rate by 30%,” present clear, powerful results in a concise bullet point format.

Experienced Grant Writer Resume

An ideal choice for seasoned professionals with over 10 years of experience, this template supports grant writers seeking senior-level positions to advance their compelling work in nonprofit funding.

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Why this resume works:

The resume illustrates a strong trajectory in grant writing, showcasing adaptability and strategic thinking through securing over $10M in grants. Advanced roles, such as grant writer, and certifications like CFRE and GPC highlight the job seeker’s expertise, indicating readiness for senior-level positions.

Grant Writer Resume Template (Text)

Use this customizable text format of a grant writer resume to copy, edit, and personalize directly in your document.

Emily Lee

Portland, OR 97211

Professional Summary

Dynamic Grant Writer with 9 years of experience securing $1M+ funding. Proven track record in elevating proposal success rates and forming strategic funding alliances. Expert in stakeholder engagement and nonprofit compliance.

Work Experience

January 2023 – June 2026

Innovation Fund Solutions – Portland, OR

Grant Writer

  • Raised $500K for research initiatives
  • Enhanced proposal success by 40%
  • Secured 5 new funding partnerships

June 2018 – December 2022

Community Growth Partners – Portland, OR

Funding Coordinator

  • Managed $1M annual grant portfolio
  • Streamlined process, reducing errors by 30%
  • Cultivated relationships with 20 donors

June 2017 – May 2018

Charity Impact Initiatives – Oakridge, OR

Proposal Writer

  • Drafted 15 successful grant applications
  • Increased funding by $200K in one year
  • Built a library of 50 templates

Education

June 2016
University of Chicago Chicago, IL
Master of Arts Nonprofit Management

June 2014
University of Wisconsin Madison, WI
Bachelor of Arts Communications

Certifications

  • Certified Fund Raising Executive – CFRE International
  • Advanced Grant Writing – Grant Training Center

Skills

  • Grant Writing
  • Project Management
  • Fundraising Strategies
  • Proposal Development
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Budget Planning
  • Data Analysis
  • Nonprofit Regulations

How to Write a Grant Writer Resume

As a grant writer, knowing how to write a resume involves showcasing your writing skills, relevant experience, and an organized format that appeals to potential employers. Use the guidance below to emphasize your strengths and customize your resume for the specific positions you’re aiming for.

1. Contact Info

Your contact information should be clear, professional, and easy to find at the top of your resume.

Make sure to include:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Professional email address
  • City and state (ZIP code is optional)
  • LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio (if relevant)
TipPRO TIP

Avoid including personal details such as your age, gender, or social media links on your resume unless specifically requested by the employer.

2. Resume Profile

A resume profile is a brief introductory section (two to four sentences) that highlights your identity and key qualifications. It serves as an engaging pitch to hiring managers, aiming to capture their interest and prompt them to explore your resume further.

Typically found at the top of your resume, the profile can be formatted as either a summary or an objective, each serving distinct purposes. This positioning ensures it stands out right away:

  • A resume summary highlights relevant experiences, skills, and achievements tailored to grant writing. This format is particularly useful for those with established work histories or transferable skills who want to showcase their contributions in the field of grant writing.
  • A resume objective emphasizes your career aspirations and what you seek to achieve in your next role. It’s particularly helpful for recent graduates, individuals shifting careers, or those entering new fields.

Let’s take a look at an example of each to see how a resume summary and a resume objective differ:

Grant writer resume summary example:

Dedicated grant writer with over 6 years of experience in nonprofit and academic sectors. Proficient in research analysis, proposal development, and relationship building with funders. Recognized for securing substantial funding awards and improving organizational impact through well-crafted, persuasive narratives.

Grant writer resume objective example:

Recent graduate with a degree in English and a strong desire to start a career as a grant writer in a nonprofit organization. Committed to advancing community initiatives through effective storytelling and careful research skills, while aiming to contribute to mission-driven projects that create meaningful impact.

3. Work Experience

The work experience on your resume is an important foundation for your candidacy. Employers assess your job history to understand not only where you’ve worked but also the significant contributions you’ve made in securing funding and writing successful proposals.

Your background as a grant writer highlights how your expertise aligns with the requirements of the position.

The work experience section should contain:

  • Job title
  • Employer name and location
  • Dates of employment (month/year)
  • 3–5 bullet points describing your relevant responsibilities and achievements

Tailor your content to reflect the specific requirements of the grant writer position. Begin each bullet point with an action verb (like “Researched,” “Drafted,” “Secured”) to create a strong statement about your contributions.

Incorporate quantifiable information or metrics whenever possible. Specific numbers, such as funds raised or proposal success rates, clearly demonstrate your impact and help you stand out from other applicants.

In general, consider following the format of:

[action verb] + [responsibility] = [result/achievement]

For example:

Researched and drafted grant proposals resulting in $500,000 funding for community health initiatives over two years, improving service accessibility by 30%.

Note that you can also flip the result/achievement with the responsibility:

Secured a 25% increase in funding success rates by implementing data-driven strategies and stakeholder collaboration.

Explore further down the page for more work experience examples tailored for grant writers.

4. Skills

This skills section offers a concise overview of the professional abilities essential for a grant writer. It aids hiring managers in quickly evaluating qualifications and suitability for the role.

Skills can be categorized into three distinct groups:

  • Soft skills are essential personal qualities that influence how grant writers collaborate with clients and stakeholders. Key examples include communication, attention to detail, adaptability, and problem-solving.
  • Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities gained through education, training, or hands-on experience. For grant writers, examples include researching funding opportunities, drafting proposal narratives, and managing budgets.
  • Technical skills refer to the specific knowledge and abilities required to perform tasks in a given profession. In grant writing, this includes skill with grant management software, research databases, and financial reporting tools.

In general, aim to present a diverse range of relevant skills that align with the job requirements to showcase your full professional value. See below for more skills examples for a grant writer resume.

TipPRO TIP

If you’re a newer grant writer, place your skills section higher on the resume, right after your summary. For those with more experience, it’s better to position this section lower, weaving your skills throughout your work history to demonstrate practical application.

5. Education

Understanding how to list education on your resume is important for showcasing your qualifications clearly. Start with the most recent or relevant degree related to grant writing, including the specific degree type and institution name.

New graduates should consider adding details such as their graduation year, a GPA of 3.5 or higher if applicable, any honors received, and coursework that aligns with grant writing skills.

Grant writer resume education section example:

Master of Arts in English
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Graduated: 2024 | Summa Cum Laude

TipPRO TIP

If you’re progressing from an Associate Degree in Grant Writing to a Bachelor of Arts in Nonprofit Management, or have earned another relevant degree, include both in reverse-chronological order.

6. Certifications

Listing certifications on your resume highlights your qualifications and can help compensate for limited experience. While not always seen in traditional resumes, this section is particularly valuable for professionals in various fields. Employers often seek specific certifications for specialized roles.

Focus on including only those certifications that directly improve your candidacy. Remember to keep these credentials current and ensure they are clearly formatted to stand out to potential employers.

Grant writer certification examples:

  • Grant Writing Certification | University of California, Irvine | Expires: 01/2028
  • Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) | CFRE International | Expires: 09/2027
  • Certificate in Grant Management | The Grantsmanship Center | Expires: 05/2028
  • Proposal Writing Short Course Certificate | Duke University | Expires: 11/2027

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Tailor Your Work History to Beat the ATS

Your work experience is more than a list of job titles. It’s a chance to show the measurable impact you’ve had on grant proposals, funding outcomes, and community initiatives. Including this information can also lead to a more ATS-friendly resume that applicant tracking systems (ATS) can easily scan.

A strong work history should be tailored to the grant writing position you’re applying for, using keywords and phrases that align with the employer’s needs. Start by reviewing the job description carefully. Look for repeated skills, types of grants, or funding sources mentioned, and then reflect those elements in your experience descriptions where possible.

These examples are pulled from our most-used entries in the resume builder—based on what hiring managers respond to most.

  • Researched and identified funding opportunities for 15+ nonprofit organizations, securing over $500,000 in grants annually.
  • Drafted and submitted grant proposals with a 70% success rate, increasing project funding by 25%.
  • Collaborated with program directors to align grant applications with organizational goals and community needs.
  • Developed comprehensive reports on grant outcomes and project impact to ensure compliance with funding requirements.
  • Mentored junior grant writers on best practices for proposal writing and budget preparation.

Example of Skills for Grant Writers

Including the right skills for your resume demonstrates to employers and ATS that you have the necessary abilities for success in grant writing. Since resumes are often scanned quickly, it’s important to keep skills focused, relevant, and aligned with the job description.

The skills listed below reflect what is currently valued in the grant writing field. These capabilities frequently appear in successful grant writer resumes and resonate well with hiring managers seeking qualified job seekers.

5 Soft Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Effective communication
  • Research and analysis
  • Persuasive writing skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Project management

5 Hard Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Grant proposal development
  • Budget management (Excel, QuickBooks)
  • Research and analysis techniques
  • Impact assessment methodologies
  • Donor relations strategies

Key Takeaways

  • Tailor your resume to the job description. Use keywords from the posting to align your experience with what employers are seeking—it benefits both ATS and human reviewers.
  • Highlight quantifiable achievements to demonstrate success. Include specific metrics (e.g., funding amounts secured, grants written, successful project completions) that showcase your impact.
  • Select the appropriate format based on your experience level. Entry-level applicants might prefer a functional or hybrid layout, while seasoned grant writers often choose a reverse-chronological format.

More Resume & CV Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

Last Update:

What resume format should I use for my grant writer resume?

There are three primary resume formats to consider when applying for grant writing positions. Your choice should reflect your level of experience and the aspects you wish to highlight about your qualifications:

  • Chronological: The most popular format, a chronological resume emphasizes your work experience by detailing responsibilities and achievements in reverse order. This format is particularly suited for applicants with a relevant job history that reinforces their qualifications and demonstrates their growth as a grant writer.
  • Functional: Also known as a skills-based resume, the functional resume emphasizes a qualifications summary and an expanded skills section to showcase your grant writing abilities. This approach minimizes focus on work history, making it helpful for job seekers lacking relevant experience or facing significant employment gaps.
  • Combination: A combination resume integrates elements of chronological and functional formats, featuring a detailed skills section followed by work experience. This structure benefits grant writers by allowing them to showcase their writing and research abilities alongside their career progression and successful funding initiatives.
Should I include a cover letter with my resume?

Yes, you should include a cover letter with your grant writer application. A tailored cover letter allows you to showcase your passion for the role and highlight relevant experiences that may not be immediately evident in your resume. It demonstrates to hiring managers that you’ve invested time in personalizing your application, which can set you apart from other applicants who forgo this important element.

If you’re feeling uncertain about how to write a cover letter, there are numerous resources available to guide you. Consider exploring articles on writing effective cover letters, reviewing sample letters specific to grant writing, and familiarizing yourself with different formats that could improve your presentation based on your qualifications.

For those looking for a quick solution, using a cover letter generator can simplify the process by providing templates and suggestions tailored to grant writing positions, allowing you to focus more on the content than the formatting.

How long should a grant writer resume be?

For most grant writers with less than 10 years of experience, a one-page resume is typically sufficient. This should highlight key skills, relevant projects, and any certifications that showcase your expertise in writing successful proposals. Keeping it concise makes it easier for potential employers to see your qualifications at a glance.

If you have extensive experience or specialized roles, a two-page resume may be appropriate. Ensure that every detail adds value and clearly demonstrates your contributions to previous projects. Focus on clarity and relevance to make the strongest impact.

What keywords should I include to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS)?

To improve your resume for ATS, focus on incorporating keywords and phrases from the job description. Look for specific terms like “grant management,” “funding proposals,” and “budget analysis” that are important to the role. By doing this, you help ensure your resume resonates with the software filtering applicants.

Additionally, consider including relevant certifications such as Certified Grant Writer or Grant Management Certification. Mention any technical tools you’re familiar with, like Grants.gov or Foundation Directory Online. These elements not only showcase your expertise but also increase your chances of being noticed by hiring managers.

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Toni Frana Career Advice Expert

Toni Frana is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches, and career expert who empowers job seekers to take control of their career paths using Monster’s comprehensive job search and resume tools.

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