Non Profit Resume Example
A career as a non profit worker typically involves coordinating fundraising events and managing donor relations. For a successful non profit worker application, you'll want to submit a professional resume that showcases your relevant skills. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a non profit resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating a non profit resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Read on to access expert insights from Jobseeker that will help you create a winning non profit resume.
Main sections of a non-profit worker resume
A successful non profit resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections. A resume for candidates with little or no work experience may focus less on the work experience section, and bring sections to the fore that emphasize their skills, such as hobbies and interests, volunteer work, education, projects and skills lists.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header
In your non profit resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Use an email address that's professional and appropriate for professional communication. Typically this would be an email address based on your first and last name, or your initials. If necessary, you could include your profession or another unique identifier. Avoid using old email addresses that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate. Additionally, always check your contact details before sending your resume to ensure they're up-to-date.
Chloe Brooks
chloe.brooks@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
221B Baker Street, Chicago, IL
linkedin․com/in/chloe–brooks123
Resume Summary
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for non profit worker roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why non profit worker roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for non profit worker roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for non profit worker jobs below.
Good example:
Dedicated non-profit professional with extensive experience as a Program Coordinator. Proven track record in managing and delivering impactful programs, coordinating diverse teams, and fostering community engagement. Strong skills in project management, grant writing, and stakeholder communication. Passionate about driving social change and improving lives through innovative solutions
Bad example:
Non-profit worker with some experience in organizing and running programs. Have worked with different groups and tried to get people involved. Have done some project planning, written some grants, and talked to various people. Interested in making a difference and finding new ways to help people
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your non profit resume summary.
Hard and Soft Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to a non profit worker role. Skills such as grant writing expertise or communication skills are particularly useful for non profit worker jobs. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for non profit worker positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
Showcasing hard skills on your non profit resume
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a non profit worker. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, these skills are essential for a non profit resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for a non profit resume are listed below.
- Grant writing expertise
- Budget management skills
- Data analysis proficiency
Listing soft skills on your non profit resume
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
A good soft skills section would include skills that match the job description, and also reflect your key strengths and qualities. See the graphic below for an indication of what to include in a strong soft skills section for a non profit resume.
- Communication skills
- Empathy and compassion
- Problem-solving abilities
Education
Your resume's education section provides space for you to list your highest and most relevant qualifications for non profit worker roles.
You don't tend to need a degree for non profit worker roles, but you'll still need to list any relevant qualifications, or your relevant educational achievements. If you have Certified Nonprofit Professional, add this here, along with any other education that shows your project management certification or CRM software knowledge.
List your relevant qualifications in reverse-chronological order. Add the name and level of the award, the institution, its location (if this isn't obvious from the name) and your dates of study. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
Additionally, mentioning any leadership roles or any societies and clubs you participated in while studying shows proactivity and initiative.
Bachelor of Arts in Nonprofit Management, 2017 - 2020
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Certifications and Training
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to non profit worker jobs. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a non profit resume:
- Certified Nonprofit Professional, 2022
- Project Management Professional, 2022
- Fundraising Executive Certification, 2022
Employment History
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a non profit worker. List each relevant role in reverse-chronological order starting with your current or most recent role. Add your job title, the organization name, its location and the dates you worked there.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. Review some strong examples of resume work experience sections in the graphic below.
Good example:
Program Coordinator, January 2022 - Present
Global Harmony Initiative, New Orleans
- Coordinated and executed over 50 successful events, increasing participant engagement by 30% within one year
- Streamlined program processes, reducing operational costs by 15% while maintaining high-quality service delivery
- Led a cross-functional team to develop and implement a new program curriculum, resulting in a 25% increase in participant satisfaction
Bad example:
Program Coordinator, January 2022 - Present
Global Harmony Initiative, New Orleans
- Assisted with various projects and initiatives to support organizational goals and objectives
- Collaborated with team members to enhance program effectiveness and outreach efforts
- Contributed to the planning and execution of community engagement activities
Above, you can see a weaker example of a resume work experience section to best avoid. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Hear from experts:
Include transferable skills gained from any prior jobs, volunteer work, or personal projects, such as "managed schedules for a team of five" or "handled cash transactions accurately and efficiently." (1) Avoid using overly technical jargon and keep your descriptions straightforward for clarity. (2)
Optional Sections
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a non-profit worker resume. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for non profit worker jobs.
Personal Interests
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Voluntary Work
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your non profit resume. List your volunteer job title, the organization you volunteered for, its location and the dates of your involvement, alongside a brief explanation of your responsibilities in the role.
References
References aren't a standard non profit resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Only include referees that you've had prior approval from, and notify them to expect contact from the employer.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your non profit resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Advocate
- Coordinate
- Facilitate
- Implement
- Collaborate
- Empower
- Educate
- Develop
- Organize
- Mentor
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Example of a non profit resume
The non profit resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
221B Baker Street, Chicago, IL
•
chloe.brooks@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/chloe–brooks123
Dedicated non-profit professional with extensive experience as a Program Coordinator, adept at managing and implementing community-based programs, fostering stakeholder relationships, and optimizing resources to achieve organizational goals. Skilled in project management, volunteer coordination, and grant writing, with a strong commitment to social impact and community development. Proven track record of successfully leading initiatives that drive positive change and meet strategic objectives.
Program Coordinator
2020
-2022
Synergy Solutions Ltd (Raleigh)
- Successfully coordinated and executed over 50 high-impact programs, increasing participant engagement by 30% year-over-year
- Streamlined program processes, reducing operational costs by 15% while maintaining quality and satisfaction ratings above 90%
- Led a cross-functional team to secure $500,000 in grant funding, exceeding annual targets by 25%
Grant writing expertise
Budget management skills
Data analysis proficiency
Communication skills
Empathy and compassion
Problem-solving abilities
Certified Nonprofit Professional
Project Management Professional
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of a non-profit worker resume
Tips to write the best resume
- Adapt your resume depending on the job you're applying for. Take a look at the job description and make sure you reference all the required key skills and experience.
- Showcase your key non profit worker qualities with a strong resume summary or objective to catch the attention of the reader.
- List your qualifications in your education section, including any necessary degrees or certifications, along with high grades.
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
- Keep your non profit resume as brief as possible. Aim for one page for an entry-level role, and two pages for more senior jobs.
Things to avoid on your resume
- Don't include hobbies unless you're light on work experience and they help you prove a skill required for the job.
- Don't use passive language - steer away from phrases like 'I was asked to' and use action words instead.
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, create a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't exaggerate, lie or hide details about yourself as these can all undermine your chances of success with non profit worker applications.
- Don't fill your resume with unnecessary details. Focus everything on showing you're right for the job.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. When writing your non profit resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Here a some simple tips to follow for an ATS-friendly resume:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions about a non-profit worker resume
Alongside your non profit resume, it's important to produce a professional cover letter that creates a similar positive impact on the reader.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
If you choose to write a full cover letter, follow traditional letter-writing conventions surrounding greetings, sign-offs and use of professional language. The body of the cover letter tends to be three paragraphs. The first introduces yourself and the role you're applying for, giving reasons for your application. The second briefly covers your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to non profit worker roles. Finally, the third paragraph re-emphasizes your interest in the role and leaves a call to action, encouraging the employer to reach out to you.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
If you're an experienced non profit worker, your resume should focus on your extensive work experience and the achievements in your career to date. As an experienced candidate, your non profit resume might include a work experience section that goes back beyond the standard 10 to 15 years. This will give you the chance to highlight your extensive experience and achievements. Include any optional sections that help to show your credentials and reputation in your industry. These could include awards, achievements and successful projects you've been involved in.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for non profit worker jobs. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Passionate Nonprofit Program Support Specialist
- Passionate Non-Profit Program Coordinator
- Experienced Nonprofit Program Director
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. For roles where you're lacking experience, such as graduate jobs or career changes, you could use a functional or skills-based resume format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Key points for your non profit resume
The best resumes focus on your skills and the value you've added to previous roles, rather than focusing on your duties and responsibilities. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
Using the professional resume templates and resources of Jobseeker can help you create a great-looking resume that stands out from other applicants. Sign up today and follow the simple steps to get started. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
