Major Gifts Officer Resume Examples & Templates
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Major Gifts Officer Resume Examples and Templates
Assistant Major Gifts Officer Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Strong impact in fundraising
The resume highlights the candidate's success in raising over ¥20 million in major gifts, showcasing their ability to secure significant donations. This aligns perfectly with the responsibilities of a Major Gifts Officer.
Effective relationship building
The candidate developed personalized strategies for over 50 major donors, improving retention rates by 30%. This demonstrates their expertise in nurturing donor relationships, a crucial skill for a Major Gifts Officer.
Relevant educational background
With a Bachelor of Arts in Nonprofit Management from Peking University, the candidate has a solid foundation in fundraising principles and donor engagement strategies, which are essential for the Major Gifts Officer role.
Diverse skill set
The skills listed, including fundraising, donor relations, and grant writing, align well with the requirements of a Major Gifts Officer. This variety shows the candidate's versatility in the nonprofit sector.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Lacks a compelling summary
The introduction could be more tailored to the Major Gifts Officer role. Adding specific achievements or a unique value proposition would make it more engaging and relevant.
Limited use of action verbs
While the experience section lists accomplishments, it could benefit from stronger action verbs. Words like 'Spearheaded' or 'Cultivated' could enhance the impact of the descriptions.
Missing metrics in skills
The skills section doesn't quantify the candidate's expertise. Adding metrics, like 'Increased donor retention by 30%', would strengthen the skills presented and show proven results.
No mention of specific fundraising strategies
The resume could improve by detailing specific fundraising strategies or tools used. Highlighting these would show the candidate's depth of knowledge and adaptability in the role of Major Gifts Officer.
Major Gifts Officer Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Strong quantifiable results
The resume showcases impressive achievements, like securing over €5M in donations and increasing donor retention by 30%. These quantifiable results clearly demonstrate the candidate's effectiveness as a Major Gifts Officer and their impact in previous roles.
Relevant skills listed
The skills section includes key areas like 'Fundraising' and 'Donor Relations', which align well with the requirements of a Major Gifts Officer. This directly speaks to the competencies needed for success in this role.
Compelling introduction
The introduction effectively highlights the candidate's experience and passion for fundraising. It establishes a strong value proposition, making a quick positive impression on recruiters looking for a Major Gifts Officer.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Lacks specific industry keywords
The resume could benefit from incorporating more keywords specific to major gift fundraising, like 'cultivating', 'prospect research', or 'donor stewardship'. This would enhance ATS compatibility and attract more attention from hiring managers.
No clear summary of impact
While the experience details are strong, a clear summary of overall impact in previous roles could strengthen the narrative. Adding a brief section that summarizes key contributions would highlight the candidate's value as a Major Gifts Officer.
Experience section could use more detail
The experience section lists significant achievements but lacks some context about the impact of these roles on the organizations. Providing a bit more detail about the organizations' missions would create a stronger connection to the candidate's work.
Senior Major Gifts Officer Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Strong quantifiable achievements
The resume showcases impressive results, like raising over ₹50 crores in 2023 and increasing donor retention rates by 30%. These quantifiable achievements demonstrate the candidate's effectiveness in fundraising, which is essential for a Major Gifts Officer.
Relevant work experience
The candidate has over 10 years of experience in major gifts fundraising, including roles at GiveIndia and CRY. This extensive background in donor relations aligns perfectly with the requirements of a Major Gifts Officer.
Tailored summary statement
The introduction clearly highlights the candidate's experience and focus on fundraising and donor engagement. This tailored summary positions them as a strong fit for the Major Gifts Officer role.
Diverse skill set
The skills section lists relevant abilities like 'Fundraising Strategies' and 'Donor Relations.' This variety shows the candidate's comprehensive understanding of the needed skills for a Major Gifts Officer.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Lack of industry-specific keywords
While the resume has strong skills, it could benefit from incorporating keywords specific to major gifts fundraising, like 'donor stewardship' or 'legacy giving.' This would enhance visibility in ATS searches.
Limited detail in education section
The education section could provide more details on relevant coursework or projects related to fundraising. This would strengthen the candidate's qualifications for a Major Gifts Officer role.
Generic skills descriptions
The skills listed are somewhat broad. Adding specific tools or techniques used in fundraising, such as CRM software or data analysis, would provide more depth and relevance.
No mention of professional development
Including any certifications, workshops, or ongoing education in fundraising would demonstrate commitment to professional growth. This is important for a role that evolves with donor and fundraising trends.
Director of Major Gifts Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Strong quantifiable results
The resume highlights impressive achievements like increasing major gift donations by 200% and securing over AUD 10 million in contributions. These specific numbers demonstrate the candidate's effectiveness, which is crucial for a Major Gifts Officer role.
Relevant skills listed
The resume includes key skills such as 'Fundraising Strategy' and 'Donor Relations' that align well with the requirements of a Major Gifts Officer. This helps in passing through ATS filters and catching the attention of hiring managers.
Clear career progression
The candidate shows a clear career progression from Major Gifts Officer to Director of Major Gifts. This trajectory highlights growth and increasing responsibility, which is appealing for a role focused on high-level donor engagement.
Compelling introductory statement
The introduction effectively summarizes the candidate's experience and achievements in fundraising. It sets a strong tone, positioning them as a valuable asset for organizations looking for a Major Gifts Officer.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Lack of tailored summary
The summary could be more focused on the specific role of Major Gifts Officer. Adding how the candidate's skills directly relate to this position would strengthen their appeal to potential employers.
Missing specific keywords
While the skills section is strong, it could include more keywords related to major gifts fundraising, such as 'planned giving' or 'donor stewardship.' This would make the resume more ATS-friendly and relevant for the role.
Work experience details
The work experience section is detailed but could benefit from emphasizing leadership experiences and mentorship more. Mentioning how leading a team impacts fundraising success would resonate well for a Major Gifts Officer.
Formatting could improve readability
The use of bullet points is good, but clearer section headers and consistent formatting could enhance readability. This would help hiring managers quickly find relevant information during their review.
Vice President of Major Gifts Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Strong results in fundraising
Your experience shows a 150% increase in major gifts revenue and a 40% expansion of the donor base. This clearly highlights your effectiveness in driving fundraising success, which is essential for a Major Gifts Officer.
Clear action-oriented language
You use active verbs like 'Increased,' 'Developed,' and 'Cultivated' throughout your experience. This demonstrates your proactive approach, making it easier for hiring managers to see your contributions and impact.
Relevant skills listed
Your skills section covers key areas like 'Fundraising Strategy' and 'Donor Relations,' which align well with the Major Gifts Officer role. This helps in passing through ATS filters and catching the attention of recruiters.
Educational background supports expertise
Your M.A. in Nonprofit Management provides a strong foundation in fundraising and donor relations. This educational background adds credibility to your practical experience, making you a more attractive candidate.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Lacks a tailored summary
Your introduction is solid but could be more focused on the Major Gifts Officer role. Consider specifying how your experience directly translates to the responsibilities of this position, to better capture interest.
No mention of specific tools or platforms
The resume lacks details about fundraising platforms or CRM systems you've used. Including these can enhance your profile, as many organizations look for familiarity with specific tools in a Major Gifts Officer.
Experience section could use more quantification
While you have strong results, adding more specifics, like the total amount raised or the number of events organized, could further illustrate your impact. This can help in making your achievements stand out even more.
Limited focus on soft skills
While you mention team leadership, elaborating on interpersonal skills or emotional intelligence would be beneficial. Major Gifts Officers need strong relationship-building skills that should be highlighted in your resume.
1. How to write a Major Gifts Officer resume
Hunting for a Major Gifts Officer role can feel frustrating when donor results don't read clearly on your resume now. How do you show the dollars you raised and the relationships you built for prospective donors? Hiring managers care about clear evidence of gifts closed and retention metrics quickly. You often focus too much on buzzwords, long role descriptions, and vague duties instead. Whether you struggle with formatting, metrics, or tailoring, you can fix those issues with focused edits today.
This guide will help you rewrite your resume to highlight major donor wins and clear impact. For example, you'll turn "Managed donors" into "Secured $1.2M from 12 donors over 18 months." We'll also sharpen your Summary and Work Experience sections to feature metrics and stewardship. After reading, you'll have a clearer, evidence-based resume that shows how you raise and retain donors.
Use the right format for a Major Gifts Officer resume
Pick a format that shows your fundraising impact clearly. Use chronological if you have steady nonprofit fundraising experience. Use combination if you switch sectors or have mixed consulting and program roles.
Keep the layout ATS-friendly. Use clear section headings, simple fonts, and no columns or tables.
- Chronological: best for steady Major Gifts careers.
- Combination: best for career changers or mixed portfolios.
- Functional: use only if you have major gaps and need to focus on skills.
Craft an impactful Major Gifts Officer resume summary
Your summary shows who you are and what you deliver. Use a summary for experienced fundraisers and an objective for entry-level or changers.
Experienced candidates should open with years, specialty, skills, and a top result. Entry-level candidates should state the role they seek and strengths.
Use this formula for a strong summary: '[Years of experience] + [Specialization] + [Key skills] + [Top achievement]'. Align keywords to the job posting for ATS.
Good resume summary example
Experienced summary: Major Gifts Officer with 8 years raising six- and seven-figure gifts for health nonprofits. Skilled at donor cultivation, proposal development, and portfolio management. Secured $4.2M in major gifts and built a pipeline yielding 30% year-over-year revenue growth.
Why this works: It states years, specialization, top skills, and a concrete result. It uses keywords like "major gifts" and "pipeline" so ATS and hiring managers see fit.
Entry-level objective: Recent development professional seeking a Major Gifts Officer role. Strong background in donor research, stewardship, and event fundraising. Ready to manage a portfolio and grow major donor relationships.
Why this works: It clarifies the target role and lists transferrable skills. It reads like a promise and sets expectations for learning and contribution.
Bad resume summary example
Major Gifts Officer with experience in fundraising and donor relations. Hard worker who builds relationships and meets goals. Looking for a role where I can grow and help the team hit revenue targets.
Why this fails: It lacks specifics and measurable impact. It lists vague traits and no dollar results or portfolio size. It also misses targeted keywords from job descriptions.
Highlight your Major Gifts Officer work experience
List jobs in reverse-chronological order. Show job title, organization, city, and month-year dates. Keep each role focused on outcomes and donor work.
Start each bullet with a strong action verb. Use verbs that match major gifts work, such as "secured," "cultivated," or "stewarded." Quantify results with dollars, donor counts, conversion rates, or retention improvements.
Use the STAR method for complex achievements. State the Situation, Task, Action, and Result in one or two bullets. Tailor bullets to include keywords from the job posting for ATS.
- Action verbs: secured, cultivated, closed, designed, expanded.
- Quantify: $ raised, number of donors, gift size, conversion rate.
Good work experience example
Secured $1.25M from 12 individual donors over 18 months by designing tailored cultivation plans and targeted proposals.
Why this works: It starts with a strong verb, lists the dollar amount and donor count, and states the action taken. That gives a clear measure of impact.
Bad work experience example
Responsible for managing a portfolio of major donors and raising funds through cultivation and stewardship activities.
Why this fails: It uses vague language and no numbers. It tells duties but not impact. Replace it with quantified achievements.
Present relevant education for a Major Gifts Officer
Include school name, degree, and graduation year or expected date. Add relevant concentrations like nonprofit management or development.
If you graduated recently, list GPA, honors, and relevant coursework. If you have long fundraising experience, keep education brief and focus on certifications instead.
List relevant certificates either under education or in their own section. Use clear formatting so ATS picks degree and institution easily.
Good education example
M.A., Nonprofit Management, Bradtke-Bartell University, 2016.
Why this works: It lists the degree, field, school, and year. The field aligns with the role and supports fundraising expertise.
Bad education example
B.A., History, Block-Zulauf College, 2009. Studied various topics and worked on campus events.
Why this fails: It lacks relevance to fundraising and misses any development coursework or certificates. It reads like filler for experienced candidates.
Add essential skills for a Major Gifts Officer resume
Technical skills for a Major Gifts Officer resume
Soft skills for a Major Gifts Officer resume
Include these powerful action words on your Major Gifts Officer resume
Use these impactful action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities:
Add additional resume sections for a Major Gifts Officer
Use sections like Certifications, Projects, Awards, Volunteer roles, and Languages when they add proof of fundraising skill. Put high-impact items near the top.
Add a Project section for major campaigns or a Certification section for CFRE or planned giving certificates. These sections help hiring managers verify your skills quickly.
Good example
Major Fundraising Campaign Lead, "Care for All" Capital Campaign — Schowalter-Wiegand, 2021.
Raised $3.8M in 14 months by creating donor tiers, training volunteers, and running targeted solicitations. Led a team of four fundraisers and improved donor retention by 22%.
Why this works: It shows a clear project name, employer, timeline, dollar results, and your role. It highlights leadership and measurable impact.
Bad example
Volunteer Event Coordinator, Community Gala — Trantow, 2017. Helped plan events and talked with donors.
Why this fails: It lists duties but no impact. It lacks numbers, scope, or what you achieved. Give concrete results to improve it.
2. ATS-optimized resume examples for a Major Gifts Officer
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software tools employers use to scan resumes for fit. They match keywords and standard sections to the job. They can drop resumes if formatting confuses them or if key terms are missing.
For a Major Gifts Officer you must show donor relations, portfolio management, prospect research, solicitation, and stewardship. Also include tools and credentials like Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, gift agreement drafting, planned giving, and CFRE if you hold it.
- Use clear section titles: "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills", "Certifications".
- Include keyword phrases from job postings naturally in bullets.
- Avoid tables, columns, images, headers, footers, and text boxes.
- Use .docx or simple PDF and standard fonts like Arial or Calibri.
Keep language direct and use active verbs that show impact. Quantify results when you can, for example: "Managed 75 donor relationships" or "Secured $2.1M in gifts."
Common mistakes include swapping exact keywords for creative synonyms like "big donors" instead of "major gifts." Hiring teams may miss your fit if you hide experience in headers or images. Also avoid leaving out tools and certifications that the posting lists.
ATS-compatible example
Skills
Major Gifts; Donor Cultivation; Portfolio Management (75 high-net-worth prospects); Prospect Research; Solicitation & Closing; Stewardship Plans; Planned Giving; Raiser’s Edge; Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud; Gift Agreements; CFRE.
Work Experience
Major Gifts Officer, Willms-Gleason — Managed a portfolio of 75 major gift prospects and closed $2.1M in three years through tailored solicitation strategies.
Why this works: This layout uses clear section titles and exact keywords a Major Gifts Officer job will scan for. It lists tools and measurable outcomes so the ATS and a recruiter see your fit quickly.
ATS-incompatible example
My Story
Raised funds from big donors and handled donor stuff. I used a donor database and kept people happy.
Experience
Fundraiser, Paucek Inc — Did lots of relationship work and helped secure several donations. Worked on gift paperwork sometimes.
Why this fails: The section uses a nonstandard header and an image that many ATS ignore. It avoids precise keywords like "major gifts," "prospect research," and names of CRMs. The wording stays vague and may not match job filters.
3. How to format and design a Major Gifts Officer resume
Pick a clean, professional template that shows your fundraising wins first. Use a reverse-chronological layout so hiring managers see recent major gift results quickly. This layout also parses well for ATS systems.
Keep length tight. One page works for early to mid-career Major Gifts Officer roles. Use two pages only if you have long, directly relevant fundraising records and donor portfolios.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Keep line spacing at 1.0–1.15 and use clear margins to give the page white space.
Organize sections with standard headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Key Gifts & Results, Major Donor Portfolio, Education, and Skills. Put measurable fundraising outcomes near each job entry. Use bullet lists to show gifts closed, donor retention rates, and portfolio sizes.
Avoid fancy columns, heavy graphics, and unusual fonts. Those elements confuse ATS and distract readers. Stick to simple bolding and bullets to highlight results.
Watch common mistakes: long paragraphs that hide impact, vague verbs, missing numbers, and inconsistent spacing. Use numbers for gift sizes and percentages for growth or retention. Proofread for alignment and consistent dates.
Well formatted example
HTML snippet:
<h1>Eddie Kihn PhD</h1><p>Major Gifts Officer</p><p>Summary: Raised $4.2M in five years; managed 150 high-net-worth prospects.</p><h2>Experience</h2><p>Gleichner Inc — Senior Major Gifts Officer | 2019–Present</p><ul><li>Closed $1.5M gift from lead donor for capital campaign.</li><li>Grew donor portfolio from 80 to 150 active prospects.</li></ul>
Why this works:
This layout uses clear headings, short bullets, and metrics. It shows donor impact quickly and stays ATS-friendly.
Poorly formatted example
HTML snippet:
<div style="columns:2"><h1>Cristie Lindgren Ret.</h1><p>Major Gifts</p><div><p>Raised funds across many campaigns but details below</p></div></div><h2>Experience</h2><p>Klocko, Yundt and Kautzer — Development Officer | 2015–2022</p><ul><li>Worked with donors on several projects.</li><li>Handled events and stewardship.</li></ul>
Why this fails:
The two-column format can break ATS parsing and hides key numbers. The bullets stay vague and do not show gift sizes or portfolio impact.
4. Cover letter for a Major Gifts Officer
Why a tailored cover letter matters
You want this Major Gifts Officer role. Your cover letter shows why you fit beyond the resume. It shows real interest in the organization and the work you want to do.
Key sections to include
- Header: Put your contact info, the company's name, and the date. If you know the hiring manager, add their name.
- Opening paragraph: Name the Major Gifts Officer role you want. Say why you care about the organization. Lead with your top qualifying point.
- Body paragraphs (1–3): Match your experience to the job. Highlight fundraising campaigns, donor stewardship, and relationship-building. Mention specific skills like major gift solicitation, portfolio management, and CRM use. Add one or two numbers that show results.
- Closing paragraph: Restate your interest. Say you want to discuss how you can help reach fundraising goals. Thank them and request an interview.
Tone and tailoring
Write like you speak to a colleague. Keep the tone professional and warm. Use short sentences and clear examples. Pull keywords from the job description and mirror the organization’s priorities.
Practical tips
Start with a strong impact line. Use one or two measured achievements. Keep each paragraph short. Edit to remove filler words and check sentence length.
What to avoid
Avoid generic templates. Don’t repeat your resume. Don’t use long sentences or passive constructions. Tailor one letter per application and show you researched the organization.
Sample a Major Gifts Officer cover letter
Dear Hiring Team,
I am writing to apply for the Major Gifts Officer position at the American Red Cross. I admire your disaster relief work and want to help grow sustained major support.
Over the past six years I managed a portfolio of 75 prospects and secured 24 major gifts. I cultivated donors through tailored stewardship and asked for gifts that matched donor priorities. I closed three six-figure gifts that increased annual giving by 18 percent.
I use CRM systems to track moves management and personalize outreach. I lead donor meetings, prepare concise proposals, and coordinate with program teams. I also trained two junior fundraisers who each moved into their own portfolios.
I bring a clear plan to identify high-capacity prospects, map donor interests, and design ask strategies. I work well with volunteers and board members to open doors and sustain relationships. I balance data with one-on-one engagement to deepen donor commitment.
I would welcome a conversation to explain how I can help the American Red Cross meet its major gift goals. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Maria Gonzalez
maria.gonzalez@email.com • (555) 123-4567
5. Mistakes to avoid when writing a Major Gifts Officer resume
Writing a Major Gifts Officer resume means showing your relationship skills, fundraising wins, and donor stewardship. Small errors can cost you interviews, so you should make every line count.
Focus on clarity, metrics, and donor-centered language. A clear resume helps hiring managers see your impact fast.
Vague duty descriptions
Mistake Example: "Worked with donors and managed major gifts."
Correction: Be specific about who you worked with and what you achieved.
Good Example: "Stewarded 45 donors with capacity over $100k, securing $2.1M in five major gifts in two years."
Leaving out numbers and outcomes
Mistake Example: "Increased donations and improved donor relations."
Correction: Add metrics and timelines to show real impact.
Good Example: "Raised 38% more major gifts year over year, increasing average gift size from $28k to $42k."
Generic resume for every job
Mistake Example: "Responsible for fundraising and events."
Correction: Tailor your resume to the employer and role.
Good Example: "Designed a personalized stewardship plan for foundation prospects, aligned to the museum's capital campaign goals."
Ignoring donor systems and compliance
Mistake Example: "Used CRM for donor work."
Correction: Name tools and show governance or compliance experience.
Good Example: "Managed Salesforce and Affinaquest records, maintained gift agreements, and ensured gift acknowledgement met IRS rules."
Typos, long paragraphs, and poor formatting
Mistake Example: "Led major gifts program overseeing prospect reseach, stewardship and cultivation efforts that resulted in new gifts"
Correction: Proofread, use bullets, and keep lines short.
Good Example: "Led major gifts program. Conducted prospect research and wealth screening. Secured donor commitments through targeted cultivation."
6. FAQs about Major Gifts Officer resumes
The tips and FAQs below help you craft a Major Gifts Officer resume that highlights fundraising wins, donor relationships, and strategic impact. Use this section to refine your experience, choose the right format, and show measurable results to hiring managers.
What skills should I highlight for a Major Gifts Officer role?
What skills should I highlight for a Major Gifts Officer role?
Show your donor cultivation skills, major gift solicitations, and relationship management.
List fundraising strategy, pipeline management, and donor stewardship.
Include CRM experience like Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce and proposal writing skills.
Which resume format works best for Major Gifts Officer positions?
Which resume format works best for Major Gifts Officer positions?
Use a reverse-chronological format if you have steady fundraising experience.
Use a hybrid format if your skills and results matter more than dates.
Keep headings for "Major Gifts", "Fundraising Metrics", and "Donor Relations".
How long should my Major Gifts Officer resume be?
How long should my Major Gifts Officer resume be?
Keep it to one page if you have under ten years of relevant experience.
Use two pages only if you have long fundraising records and major donor wins to show.
How do I showcase major gift wins and impact?
How do I showcase major gift wins and impact?
Quantify each win: gift size, role in ask, and outcome.
- Example: "Secured $1.2M lead gift by developing ask strategy and briefing donor."
- List cultivation steps, team collaboration, and follow-up stewardship.
How should I list fundraising certifications and training?
How should I list fundraising certifications and training?
List certifications under a short "Certifications" section with year earned.
Include CFRE, AFP courses, major gifts workshops, and relevant leadership training.
Pro Tips
Quantify Your Results
Put numbers next to accomplishments. State gift sizes secured, donor retention rates, and funds raised. Numbers make your impact clear and let hiring managers compare you quickly.
Lead with Donor Stories
Summarize one or two brief donor success stories in your experience bullets. Show how you built trust, crafted the ask, and delivered results. Stories make your skills concrete.
Tailor Keywords to the Job
Mirror terms from the job ad like "major gifts strategy", "portfolio management", and "corporate philanthropy". That helps your resume pass screenings and shows you read the posting.
Show CRM and Data Skills
Note specific CRMs and how you used them for pipeline reporting or segmentation. Give one example of how data guided a successful ask or stewardship plan.
7. Key takeaways for an outstanding Major Gifts Officer resume
You've learned the essentials for a Major Gifts Officer resume; here are the key takeaways to use now.
- Use a clean, professional, ATS-friendly format with clear headings and standard fonts.
- Lead with fundraising metrics and relationships that matter to major gifts roles.
- Highlight relevant skills like donor cultivation, stewardship, moves management, and donor research.
- Use strong action verbs: secured, cultivated, solicited, closed, and expanded.
- Quantify impact with dollars raised, number of donors engaged, percentage growth, and gift sizes.
- Weave job-relevant keywords naturally, like major gifts, prospect pipeline, gift agreements, and donor cultivation.
- Keep bullets concise and focused on outcomes, not tasks.
Now update your resume, try a proven template, or use a resume builder to polish it and apply for Major Gifts Officer roles.
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