Grant Writing on Resume

Should You List Grant Writing on Resume

It's highly recommended to list grant writing as a skill on your resume, especially if you have experience or are targeting roles that involve applying for grants, managing budgets, or fundraising. This skill is particularly valuable in the nonprofit sector but can also be relevant for government positions and research organizations. However, regional differences exist; while it's common practice in the United States to list skills, other countries may place more emphasis on work experience or academic qualifications.

Why to List Grant Writing on Resume

• Demonstrates Grant Writing Skills: Highlighting your grant writing abilities helps potential employers understand that you can effectively communicate the needs and goals of their organization in a compelling manner, increasing the chances of successful grant applications.
• Showcases Research & Analysis Ability: Grant writing requires strong research skills to gather relevant data and present it convincingly. This shows that you can think critically and make well-informed decisions.
• Indicates Budget Management Skills: Writing grants often involves outlining budgets, detailing expenses, and justifying costs. Showcasing these skills demonstrates your ability to manage resources effectively.

Where to List Grant Writing on Resume

• Professional Summary or Objective: Briefly mention your grant writing experience in the opening paragraph of your resume to immediately catch the attention of potential employers.
• Skills Section: List grant writing as a skill under the relevant section, along with other related abilities such as research, budget management, and proposal development.
• Work Experience Section: If you have written grants as part of your job responsibilities, detail these accomplishments in your work experience section. Highlight the successful grants obtained, the amount secured, and the impact on the organization or project.
• Education Section: If you've written grants as part of an academic project or internship, consider listing it under your education section to demonstrate the practical application of your skills.

Examples of How to List Grant Writing on Resume

Example 1: Work Experience

Grant Writer & Research Associate at XYZ Nonprofit Organization

• Wrote and secured three major grants totaling over $200,000 for program expansion and infrastructure development
• Conducted extensive research to identify funding opportunities and tailored proposals accordingly
• Collaborated with team members to develop budgets and justifications for grant applications

Example 2: Education

Master's Degree in Environmental Science at ABC University

• Authored and successfully obtained a grant proposal for a research project on water conservation, securing $10,000 in funding
• Conducted background research to determine grant eligibility and suitability
• Prepared detailed budget outlines and justifications for the proposed research project

What to Avoid While Listing Grant Writing on Resume

• Vague Statements: Instead of simply stating that you have experience with grant writing, provide concrete examples of successful grants obtained and their impact.
• Ignoring Grammar & Style: Ensure your grant writing samples are well-written, clear, and concise. Poorly written grant applications can negatively affect the chances of securing funding.
• Overlooking Specific Requirements: If a grant application requires a specific format or structure, tailor your resume to meet those requirements. Ignoring these details can disqualify you from consideration.

How to List Grant Writing for Non-Profit Organizations on Resume

Best Practices for Listing 'Grant Writing for Non-Profit Organizations'

• Highlight Relevant Achievements: Mention specific grants you've successfully written and secured, along with the amount of funding achieved. For instance, "Secured a $100,000 grant from X Foundation for Y Non-Profit Organization to support their community programs."

• Example 1: Grant Writing for Non-Profit Organizations on Grant writing Resume In the 'Experience' section of your resume, you could present it like this:

  Grant Writer | XYZ Non-Profit Organization | [City, State] | [Dates]

  • Secured a $100,000 grant from X Foundation for Y Non-Profit Organization to support their community programs.
  • Drafted and submitted successful proposals to obtain funding totaling over $500,000 for various projects.

• Emphasize Grant Writing Skills: Showcase your abilities in grant writing by describing the process you follow when composing grants. This could include researching potential funders, tailoring proposals to meet specific requirements, and proofreading for clarity and accuracy.

• Example 2: Grant Writing for Non-Profit Organizations in Grant writing Context In the 'Skills' section of your resume, you could present it like this:

  Skills

  • Proficient in grant research, proposal drafting, and submission.
  • Excellent ability to tailor proposals for specific funders and projects.
  • Detail-oriented proofreading skills to ensure accuracy and clarity.

• Use Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords related to grant writing and non-profit organizations throughout your resume, making it easier for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to pick up your application.

• Note: Be sure to use the actual words 'grant writing' and any other industry-specific terms that may be used in job postings.

• Quantify Your Achievements: When possible, provide numerical data to demonstrate the impact of your grant writing efforts. This could include the number of grants written, the amount of funding secured, or the percentage increase in funding year over year.

• For example:

  Grant Writer | XYZ Non-Profit Organization | [City, State] | [Dates]

  • Wrote and successfully submitted 15 grant proposals during my tenure, resulting in a total of $750,000 in funding.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to fit the specific job posting, highlighting relevant experience and skills for each position you apply for. Include any keywords from the job description to ensure your application aligns with the employer's needs.

• For example: If a job posting requests a grant writer with experience in environmental conservation, you could emphasize that aspect of your work by including relevant examples and keywords:

  Grant Writer | XYZ Non-Profit Organization | [City, State] | [Dates]

  • Secured a $100,000 grant from X Foundation for Y Non-Profit Organization to support their environmental conservation programs.
  • Wrote and successfully submitted 15 grant proposals during my tenure, totaling over $750,000 in funding for environmental initiatives.

How to List Capital Campaign Grant Writing on Resume

Best Practices for Listing Capital Campaign Grant Writing:

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Clearly state your experience in capital campaign grant writing by including the number of successful proposals you have written and the amount of grants secured. For example, "Successfully wrote and submitted over 20 grant proposals resulting in $3 million in funding for capital campaigns."

  • Highlight Relevant Experience:
  • Successfully wrote and submitted over 20 grant proposals resulting in $3 million in funding for capital campaigns.

• Specify the Skills Used: Include key skills you utilized during the grant writing process, such as research, budgeting, and project management. For example, "Utilized extensive research to identify appropriate funders, developed detailed budgets, and managed timelines for proposal submission."

  • Specify the Skills Used:
  • Utilized extensive research to identify appropriate funders, developed detailed budgets, and managed timelines for proposal submission.

• Emphasize Results: Focus on the outcomes achieved through your grant writing efforts, such as new facilities, upgrades, or expansions for the organization. For example, "Developed and executed a successful capital campaign grant writing strategy that led to the construction of a new community center."

  • Emphasize Results:
  • Developed and executed a successful capital campaign grant writing strategy that led to the construction of a new community center.

• Mention Key Accomplishments: Share any unique accomplishments or challenges overcome during your grant writing experience. For example, "Secured funding from a previously unresponsive donor by demonstrating the organization's impact on the local community."

  • Mention Key Accomplishments:
  • Secured funding from a previously unresponsive donor by demonstrating the organization's impact on the local community.

• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with an action verb to make your writing concise, clear, and impactful. For example, "Researched grant opportunities, prepared grant proposals, and followed up with funders to secure funding for capital campaigns."

  • Use Action Verbs:
  • Researched grant opportunities, prepared grant proposals, and followed up with funders to secure funding for capital campaigns.

Example 1: Capital Campaign Grant Writing on Grant Writing Resume

In the context of a resume focused on grant writing, you may include a dedicated section or bullet points within your relevant experience that highlight your success in capital campaign grant writing:

• Grants Manager | XYZ Nonprofit Organization (2015 - Present)
  • Successfully wrote and submitted over 20 grant proposals resulting in $3 million in funding for capital campaigns, including the construction of a new community center.
  • Utilized extensive research to identify appropriate funders, developed detailed budgets, and managed timelines for proposal submission.

Example 2: Capital Campaign Grant Writing in Grant Writing Context

In a resume where grant writing is the main focus, you may list your capital campaign grant writing experience under a specific subheading:

• Grant Writing Experience (Capital Campaign Focus)
• Successfully secured $3 million in funding for capital campaigns through over 20 proposals.
• Demonstrated expertise in researching grant opportunities, preparing proposals, and following up with funders to secure capital campaign funding.

How to List Proposal Development for Research Grants on Resume

Best Practices for Listing this Subcategory

• Highlight Grant Writing Experience: Mention your expertise in grant writing explicitly. This skill is crucial when applying for research grants and should be clearly stated.

• Example: "Grant Writing: Successfully developed and submitted proposals worth over $500,000 in competitive research grants across multiple disciplines."

• Specify the Role: Clearly define your role in the proposal development process. This could include drafting, editing, coordinating, or managing the entire proposal process.

• Example: "Proposal Development for Research Grants: Led a team in writing and submitting successful proposals to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH)."

• Detail Key Responsibilities: Elaborate on your responsibilities during the proposal development process, such as identifying funding opportunities, preparing budgets, and coordinating with researchers.

• Example: "Responsible for identifying suitable research grant opportunities, developing detailed project proposals, creating budget outlines, and collaborating with researchers to ensure a high-quality submission."

• Quantify Achievements: Provide numbers or percentages to demonstrate your impact on the proposal process and the resulting grants. This could include the number of successful proposals, grant amounts, or the percentage of proposed budgets funded.

• Example: "Achieved a 75% success rate in securing research grants through meticulous proposal development, with an average grant amount of $200,000."

• Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords like "proposal development," "grant writing," and the names of specific funding agencies (e.g., NSF, NIH) to optimize your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and showcase your familiarity with the field.

• Example: "Experienced Grant Writer with expertise in proposal development for research grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH)."

Example 1: Proposal Development for Research Grants on Grant Writing Resume

• Grant Writing: Developed, edited, and submitted proposals worth over $500,000 in competitive research grants across multiple disciplines.
• Proposal Development for Research Grants: Led a team in writing and submitting successful proposals to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Responsibilities: Identified suitable research grant opportunities, developed detailed project proposals, created budget outlines, and collaborated with researchers to ensure a high-quality submission.
• Achievements: Achieved a 75% success rate in securing research grants through meticulous proposal development, with an average grant amount of $200,000.

Example 2: Proposal Development for Research Grants in Grant Writing Context

• Grant Writing (Research Grants): Successfully wrote and submitted over 15 proposals to various funding agencies resulting in a total of $2 million in awarded grants.
• Proposal Development for Research Grants: Coordinated the entire proposal development process, including identifying funding opportunities, preparing budgets, writing, editing, and submitting grant applications.
• Responsibilities: Managed a team responsible for researching potential funding agencies, developing proposals, creating budget outlines, and ensuring compliance with agency guidelines.
• Achievements: Secured over $2 million in research grants through strategic proposal development and a high rate of successful submissions.

How to List Foundation Grant Writing on Resume

Listing your experience in Foundation Grant Writing on a resume requires careful attention to detail and adherence to best practices to highlight your skills effectively. Here are five bullet points of best practices:

1. Highlight Specific Skills

Emphasize your proficiency in grant writing, research, proposal development, budgeting, and project management within the foundation context. For instance:

• Developed and submitted successful foundation grant proposals totaling over $500,000 for various projects, resulting in funding acquisition.

2. Specify Foundation Types

Mention the types of foundations you have worked with to demonstrate your versatility. Examples include private, family, corporate, or community foundations:

• Extensive experience writing grants for private and corporate foundations, focusing on educational initiatives and social programs.

3. Use Action Verbs

Use action verbs that clearly illustrate your contributions and achievements in grant writing:

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to research potential foundation funding sources and develop compelling grant proposals.

4. Quantify Results

Quantify the impact of your grant writing by mentioning the amount of funds acquired or the number of projects funded as a result of your efforts:

• Achieved funding for five separate projects through successful foundation grant proposals, totaling $1.2 million in grants.

5. Showcase Adaptability

Emphasize your adaptability to various foundation requirements and application processes:

• Demonstrated adaptability by tailoring grant proposal content to meet the unique requirements of each foundation, resulting in increased chances of funding success.

Example 1: Foundation Grant Writing on Grant Writing Resume

Applicant: [Your Name] Position: Grant Writer (Foundation Focus) Resume Section: Professional Experience

• Successfully wrote and submitted foundation grant proposals for various projects, resulting in over $2 million in funding for educational initiatives.
• Developed strong relationships with foundation program officers to better understand their priorities and submission requirements.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to research potential funding sources, develop grant applications, and track progress throughout the application process.

Example 2: Foundation Grant Writing in Grant Writing Context

Applicant: [Your Name] Position: Senior Grant Writer (Foundation Focus) Resume Section: Skills & Expertise

• Extensive experience writing grants for private, family, and corporate foundations supporting educational initiatives, social programs, and community development projects.
• Demonstrated adaptability by tailoring grant proposal content to meet the unique requirements of each foundation, resulting in increased chances of funding success.
• Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to research potential funding sources, develop compelling grant applications, and track progress throughout the application process.

How to List Federal Grant Writing on Resume

Listing Federal Grant Writing on a resume requires a strategic approach that showcases your skills, experience, and the relevance of this subcategory to the grant writing field. Here are some best practices:

1. Highlight Relevant Experience

• Detail the projects: Mention specific federal grants you've worked on, including their purpose, value, and the role you played in the application and management process. For instance, "Assisted in the development and submission of a $2 million Department of Education grant proposal for school infrastructure upgrades."

2. Use Grant Writing Keywords

• Incorporate keywords: Since many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), ensure your resume contains relevant keywords like "Federal Grant Writing," "Grant Proposal Development," and "Grant Management." For example, "Skilled in federal grant writing with expertise in proposal development and management."

3. Emphasize Achievements

• Quantify successes: Whenever possible, provide numerical data to demonstrate the impact of your work. This could include the total value of grants secured or the number of grants written. For example, "Secured over $5 million in federal grant funding for various community development projects."

4. Showcase Transferable Skills

• Demonstrate versatility: Highlight transferable skills that are valuable in both Federal Grant Writing and general Grant Writing, such as research, writing, budgeting, and project management. For example, "Proven ability to conduct comprehensive research, write compelling grant proposals, manage budgets, and coordinate projects with diverse stakeholders."

Example 1: Federal Grant Writing on Grant Writing Resume

In a Grant Writer's resume, the Federal Grant Writing subcategory could be presented as follows:

Federal Grant Writing (5+ years):

• Assisted in the development and submission of a $2 million Department of Education grant proposal for school infrastructure upgrades.
• Secured over $5 million in federal grant funding for various community development projects.
• Skilled in federal grant writing with expertise in proposal development and management.

Example 2: Federal Grant Writing in Grant Writing Context

In a more general Grant Writing resume, the Federal Grant Writing subcategory could be showcased like this:

Grant Writing (5+ years):

• Proven ability to conduct comprehensive research, write compelling grant proposals, manage budgets, and coordinate projects with diverse stakeholders.
• Secured over $5 million in federal grant funding for various community development projects.
• Skilled in federal grant writing with expertise in proposal development and management.