The Proven Framework for Getting Your Grant Writer Resume Noticed!

Turning complex projects into winning grant proposals is an art, but most grant writers struggle to showcase their own success stories. Getting organizations funded is your specialty, yet explaining your impact leaves you staring at a blank page.

Are you finding it challenging to quantify your grant writing achievements? Your resume needs to demonstrate both your technical writing abilities and your track record of securing funding. A well-crafted resume can open doors to higher-stakes opportunities with prestigious organizations.

Resume Target specializes in helping grant writers translate their fundraising victories into compelling career narratives. We know how to showcase your grant success rates, funding amounts secured, and project management skills in a way that catches the attention of hiring managers and development directors.

What Does a Grant Writer Do?

Behind every funded research breakthrough, community program, or nonprofit success story, there's likely a skilled grant writer who helped secure the crucial funding, with successful grant writers helping organizations secure millions in grant funding through carefully crafted proposals.

As a grant writer, you'll wear multiple hats - from investigative researcher uncovering perfect funding matches, to persuasive storyteller weaving compelling narratives, to detail-oriented project manager ensuring every requirement and deadline is met while building lasting relationships with funders.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance your grant writing career, this growing field offers diverse opportunities to make real impact while developing specialized expertise in areas like federal grants, corporate giving, or specific nonprofit sectors.

Grant Writer Salary Outlook

Let's talk about what's exciting in the Grant Writer field! Your career path as a Grant Writer offers compelling earning potential with opportunities to significantly increase your income as you gain expertise. And guess what? The field continues to grow as organizations increasingly rely on grant funding.

Grant Writer Salary Ranges by Experience:

• Entry Level: $73,671
• Mid-Career: $73,903
• Professional: $75,413
• Senior Professional: $79,067
• Executive/Partner: $81,197

Figures from: Salary.com

Career Advancement in Grant Writer

Starting as a Grant Writer opens doors to a rewarding career in nonprofit and corporate fundraising. With the right skills and experience, you can progress from entry-level positions to senior management roles.

Your Grant Writer Career Timeline

• Entry-level to Junior role: Grant Writing Assistant/Associate (1-2 years)
• Mid-level role: Grant Writer (2-5 years)
• Senior role: Senior Grant Writer (5-8 years)
• Executive role: Grants Manager/Director (8-12 years)
• Top role: Director of Development/Chief Development Officer (12+ years)

Skills That Fast-Track Your Grant Writer Career

Beyond basic writing abilities, advancing in grant writing requires mastery of strategic fundraising, relationship building, and technical expertise.

- Grant Management Software Proficiency - Database Management and Research Tools - Proposal Writing and Budget Development - Strategic Planning and Project Management

Getting Started as a Grant Writer

Breaking into grant writing is achievable through entry-level nonprofit roles, freelance opportunities, or volunteer work where you can gain hands-on experience crafting funding proposals while building your portfolio.

Entry-Level Roles Leading to Grant Writer

To succeed in grant writing, you'll need to develop excellent writing skills for crafting compelling narratives, along with research abilities and attention to detail that will set you apart in this competitive field.

Essential Education and Certifications for Grant Writers

• Grant Professional Certified (GPC): This premier certification is awarded by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute. Requires 3 years of professional experience, references, and passing a comprehensive exam covering all aspects of grant development and management.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE): A prestigious certification that demonstrates mastery in fundraising and grant acquisition. Candidates need 5 years of experience, 80 hours of continuing education, and must pass an exam covering donor research, proposal writing, and relationship management.
• The Write Help Query (TWHQ) Grant Writing Certification: An entry-level certification that provides fundamental training in grant writing basics. Perfect for beginners, this program covers proposal writing, budget development, and grant research techniques.
• Bachelor's Degree in English, Communications, or Business: While not strictly required, a relevant bachelor's degree provides essential writing and analytical skills needed for successful grant writing.

Requirements from Squibler

Where are Grant Writer Jobs in the US?

From healthcare to arts organizations, grant writers are in high demand across both coastal hubs and growing markets.

Top Spots Hiring Grant Writers

• California: Leading the pack with over 1,000 positions, driven by robust nonprofit and healthcare sectors
• New York: Home to 800+ opportunities thanks to concentrated arts, entertainment, and foundation presence
• District of Columbia: High concentration of government agencies and NGOs create strong demand despite smaller size

Figures from Zippia

How to Write a Grant Writer Resume

Struggling to showcase your grant writing success stories and funding achievements in a way that catches a hiring manager's attention? This comprehensive, section-by-section guide will help you craft a compelling grant writer resume that highlights your fundraising wins, proposal writing expertise, and track record of securing funding.

Download This Template

Start with a Grant Writer Powerful Resume Summary

As a grant writer, you know how to tell compelling stories that secure funding, yet summarizing your own career achievements can feel surprisingly challenging.

While you excel at crafting persuasive narratives and translating complex programs into fundable proposals, capturing your own professional value in just a few lines requires the same strategic approach you use to win grants - and that's exactly what a powerful summary section delivers.

Questions to help write your Grant Writer Resume:

How would you characterize your overall grant success rate and funding portfolio across different types of grants (federal, state, foundation, corporate) throughout your career?

Reason: This high-level view helps frame your expertise across the grant landscape and demonstrates your versatility, while showing potential employers the scope of your experience without getting into specific numbers.

What would you say are your signature strengths in the grant writing process, from research and relationship building to writing and compliance?

Reason: This question helps you articulate your unique value proposition within the grant writing profession and highlights the particular aspects of the grant lifecycle where you excel.

How would you describe your approach to translating complex organizational needs into compelling narratives that resonate with funders?

Reason: This gets at the heart of what makes a grant writer successful - the ability to bridge the gap between organizations and funders through effective storytelling and communication.

Resume summary examples

• Strategic and detail-oriented professional with 8 years of experience as a Grant Writer. Oversees proposal development, compliance monitoring, and funding pipeline management for portfolios exceeding $25M annually while streamlining application processes through automated tracking systems. Partners with nonprofit executives, government agencies, and corporate foundations to secure competitive grants and maintain 87% renewal rate across institutional funders.
• Resourceful and analytical professional with 12 years of experience as a Grant Writer. Manages comprehensive grant lifecycle operations, donor relationship cultivation, and impact reporting frameworks for multi-state organizations while implementing best-practice evaluation metrics. Collaborates with program directors, research teams, and community stakeholders to generate $40M+ in awarded funding and establish sustainable revenue streams.

List Your Key Skills as a Grant Writer

As a grant writer, you need to showcase both your technical writing abilities and your understanding of the funding landscape, but determining which skills to highlight can be challenging when you have experience across multiple sectors and funding types.

Your resume should reflect a mix of essential grant writing competencies like proposal development and budget creation, alongside valuable soft skills such as stakeholder communication and project management that demonstrate your ability to shepherd applications from concept to submission.

Grant Writer resume skills examples

• Proposal Management Software (ProposalWriter, GrantHub)
• Strategic Communication
• Grant Database Management
• Budget Development
• Federal Grant Compliance
• Research Methodology
• Cross-functional Team Coordination

How to Organize Work Experience on a Grant Writer Resume

Showcase your grant writing success story by organizing your experience into three powerful sections: a compelling role overview that sets the stage, quantifiable achievements highlighting your funding wins, and core responsibilities that demonstrate your expertise in proposal development and donor relations.

Highlight Your Impactful Grant Writer Achievements

Many grant writers struggle to effectively demonstrate their direct impact on organizational funding success beyond basic dollar amounts secured. Transform your achievements section by connecting your grant writing expertise to both funding outcomes and long-term organizational sustainability through metrics like success rates, efficiency improvements, and program impact.

How to write accomplishments for a Grant Writer resume:

• Quantify Your Achievements: Include specific numbers and success rates to demonstrate impact. Example: "Secured $2.3M in federal funding across 12 grant proposals with an 85% success rate"or "Managed portfolio of 25+ grants totaling $5M in annual funding."
• Add Context: Frame accomplishments using the situation-action-result method to show problem-solving abilities. Explain the funding need, describe the grant-writing approach, and highlight the positive outcome to demonstrate value to potential employers.
• Start Strong: Begin accomplishment statements with powerful action verbs. Use "Spearheaded multi-agency collaboration to secure federal funding,""Orchestrated successful grant renewal processes,""Cultivated relationships with major foundations,""Streamlined proposal development workflow,"or "Championed new funding initiatives."
• Use the Right Tense: Write current position accomplishments in present tense and previous positions in past tense. Maintain consistency throughout each role's description while highlighting ongoing grant management responsibilities.

Examples of accomplishments for a Grant Writer resume

• Secured $2.3M in federal and foundation funding by researching, writing, and managing 12 competitive grant proposals for youth education programs, achieving an 85% success rate and enabling the organization to expand services to 3 new districts
• Developed and implemented a streamlined grant tracking system that reduced application processing time by 40% and improved team coordination, resulting in successful submission of 25 proposals ahead of deadlines in 2023
• Led cross-functional team of 6 staff members to craft compelling narrative for a major capacity-building initiative, securing a $500,000 multi-year grant from a prestigious foundation with first-time submission

Highlight Your Responsibilities and Duties on Your Grant Writer Resume

The responsibilities section demonstrates how Grant Writers transform organizational needs into compelling funding opportunities. This section must clearly show your ability to bridge the gap between nonprofits and funders while highlighting how your grant writing directly impacts organizational sustainability.

How to write a Grant Writer responsibilities section:

• Keep It Short and Sweet: Each responsibility should be clear and impactful, limited to 2-3 lines. Focus on outcomes like funding secured or program impacts rather than basic writing tasks.
• Stick to the Point: Each bullet point should focus on one key grant writing responsibility, such as research, proposal development, or funder relationship management. Avoid combining multiple duties into a single point.
• Start Strong: Begin each bullet with powerful action verbs that showcase your grant writing expertise. Use words like "secured,""researched,""developed,""coordinated,"and "implemented"to demonstrate your direct impact on funding success.

Examples of Grant Writer responsibilities:

• Proposal Development: Develop compelling grant proposals by conducting thorough research, analyzing funding requirements, and crafting persuasive narratives to secure funding for organizational initiatives
• Funding Research: Identify and evaluate potential funding opportunities through comprehensive database searches, foundation research, and monitoring of government grant announcements to maintain a robust funding pipeline
• Budget Management: Create detailed project budgets and financial narratives by collaborating with program staff and finance teams to ensure accurate cost projections and compliance with funder requirements
• Stakeholder Communication: Coordinate with program directors, subject matter experts, and external partners to gather critical program data and maintain relationships with funding organizations throughout the grant lifecycle

List Your Education and Certifications

Your education and certifications demonstrate your expertise in grant writing and showcase your commitment to professional development. List your most relevant credentials first, particularly those focused on grant management, proposal writing, or nonprofit development, as these directly impact your credibility with funding organizations.

• Certified Grant Writer® (CGW) | American Grant Writers' Association | 2022-Present
• Master of Public Administration (MPA) with Grant Writing Certification | University of Michigan | May 2020

Customizing Your Grant Writer Resume for Job Descriptions

Now that you've created a strong foundation using Resume Target's proven resume writing guidelines, you're ready to transform your base resume into a powerful tool for landing grant writing positions.

While many applicants focus solely on customizing their cover letters, successful grant writers know that personalizing their resume for each funding organization or non-profit is equally crucial for demonstrating their specific expertise and track record.

By strategically incorporating keywords and achievements that align with each unique grant writing opportunity, your resume will not only sail through ATS screening systems but will also show hiring managers exactly how your grant writing success stories match their organization's funding needs.

Ready to turn your resume into a winning proposal? Let's customize your way to your next grant writing victory!

How to customize your Grant Writer resume to fit your target job

• 1. Read the Job Description Carefully: Focus on the responsibilities and qualifications sections where key grant writing requirements are listed. Look for specific funding types (federal, foundation, corporate), required subject matter expertise, and grant management systems mentioned. Pay attention to repeated phrases about writing style, research abilities, and relationship management skills that employers prioritize for grant writers.
• 2. Highlight the Skills in Your Core Competencies: Feature relevant grant writing skills in your core competencies section, such as "Federal Grant Writing,""Foundation Research,""Program Development,""Budget Development,""Stakeholder Communication,"and "Grant Compliance Management."Ensure these align with the specific grant writing focus areas mentioned in the job posting.
• 3. Reflect Skills in Your Responsibilities Section: Use bullet points to demonstrate how you've applied these skills in previous roles. For example: "Researched and identified potential funding sources aligned with organizational mission"or "Developed compelling narratives for federal grant applications."Mirror the language used in the job description while describing your experience.
• 4. Include Accomplishments that Demonstrate these Skills: Highlight your grant writing successes with specific numbers and results. For example: "Secured $2.5M in foundation funding through 15 successful grant proposals, maintaining an 80% application success rate"or "Managed a portfolio of $5M in active grants across 8 different funding sources."
• 5. Use Keywords from the Job Description: Incorporate specific grant-related terminology throughout your resume, such as "grant prospecting,""logic models,""outcomes measurement,"or specific grant management software mentioned in the posting. This ensures your resume passes ATS screening and demonstrates to recruiters that you understand the specific requirements of the role.

How to Write an Entry-Level Grant Writer Resume

Don't let a lack of professional experience hold you back from launching your grant writing career! Your ability to craft compelling narratives and attention to detail can shine through even without direct grant writing experience.

Instead of dwelling on unrelated work history, showcase your writing abilities, research skills, and any relevant coursework or volunteer experience that demonstrates your potential.

Focus on highlighting your writing samples, research capabilities, and understanding of nonprofit operations to create a standout resume.

For detailed guidance on structuring your entry-level resume, check out the Student Resume Writing Guide to ensure you're presenting your qualifications effectively.

Write a Strong Entry-Level Grant Writer Resume Summary

Your summary section is your chance to showcase your writing prowess, research capabilities, and any relevant volunteer or academic project experience that demonstrates your potential in grant writing.

Focus on highlighting your compelling communication skills, attention to detail, and passion for helping organizations secure funding through effective storytelling.

Example of a Grant Writer entry-level resume summary:

"Detail-oriented and persuasive communicator with foundational experience in nonprofit fundraising and proposal development through academic projects and volunteer work. Demonstrated success in crafting compelling narratives and conducting thorough research, resulting in successful funding for two campus initiatives. Leverages strong analytical skills and deadline-driven mindset to develop targeted grant proposals. Seeking to apply exceptional writing abilities and passion for social impact to secure vital funding for mission-driven organizations."

Detail Your Grant Writer Education

Now's your chance to showcase the academic foundation that prepared you for grant writing success - from research methods courses to professional writing programs that shaped your expertise!

Don't just list your degree - highlight relevant coursework like "Nonprofit Management"or "Technical Writing,"and feature capstone projects where you drafted actual grant proposals or secured funding for campus initiatives.

Grant Writing courses and certificate programs are common. NonprofitReady.org offers free online grant writing classes. The University of Georgia offers online and classroom courses in grant writing. Temple University Harrisburg offers a Grant Writing Certificate Program. SDSU Global Campus offers a Professional Certificate in Grant Writing.

Entry level Grant Writer resume education

Relevant Coursework: Advanced Grant Writing | Nonprofit Management | Technical Writing | Research Methods | Program Development | Budget Planning

Key Projects:

Community Health Initiative Grant Proposal: Developed a comprehensive $250,000 grant proposal for a local healthcare nonprofit to expand mental health services, resulting in successful funding approval.

• Conducted extensive research on community health disparities and existing mental health resources to establish project need
• Designed detailed program budget and timeline using Excel, ensuring alignment with funder requirements
• Created compelling narrative incorporating demographic data, success metrics, and evaluation methods

Educational Access Fund Development: Collaborated with a team of three to craft a multi-year funding strategy for an after-school literacy program targeting underserved communities.

• Researched and identified 25+ potential funding sources using Foundation Directory Online
• Developed standardized proposal templates and tracking systems to streamline application process
• Coordinated with program staff to gather impact data and testimonials for proposal narratives

Customize Your Grant Writer Resume Skills

Transform your academic writing experience, research abilities, and project management capabilities into a compelling skills section that showcases your readiness to secure funding through effective grant proposals.

Examples of Entry Level Grant Writer Skills:

• Research Methodology and Data Collection
• Proposal Writing and Formatting
• Budget Development and Analysis
• Grant Compliance Documentation
• Nonprofit Program Understanding
• Deadline Management
• Database Management (Grants.gov, Foundation Directory)
• Technical Writing and Editing

As an entry-level Grant Writer, your combination of writing prowess and analytical skills positions you perfectly to help organizations secure vital funding, with increasing opportunities as nonprofits and institutions continue to expand their funding needs.

Partner with the Experts in Grant Writer Resume Writing

Let's be honest - translating your passion for social impact and fundraising success into compelling resume content can feel overwhelming, especially when you need to showcase both relationship-building skills and concrete funding results.

At Resume Target, we specialize in crafting resumes for non-profit professionals that highlight both the art and science of grant writing success.

Our team has helped countless grant writers showcase their track records of securing six and seven-figure funding while demonstrating the strategic thinking and storytelling abilities that make it all possible.

With increased competition for non-profit funding and year-end grant cycles approaching, now is the perfect time to transform your resume into a powerful tool that opens doors - let's connect for a free consultation today.