As someone who has spent over 25 years helping professionals craft career-changing CVs, I cannot emphasise enough how crucial a well-written CV is in today’s competitive job market. One role that has grown in prominence in recent years is that of the Grant Writer. Organisations, charities, and research bodies rely heavily on funding, and the Grant Writer is the professional who secures this vital income.
A Grant Writer is responsible for researching funding opportunities, writing compelling proposals, maintaining donor relationships, and ensuring that organisations can continue their projects with financial support. Their role often includes project management, strategic planning, and producing detailed budgets to accompany applications. In the UK, the salary for a Grant Writer typically ranges between £28,000 and £45,000 annually, depending on experience and the size of the organisation, with senior professionals often commanding higher figures.
Because Grant Writers act as the financial lifeline of many organisations, employers are extremely particular about the CVs they shortlist. With that in mind, let’s explore how to create an interview-winning Grant Writer CV template example that highlights your expertise and gets you noticed by recruiters.
Why your Grant Writer CV matters more than you think
Your CV is not just a summary of your employment history—it is your personal marketing document. Think of it as your first grant proposal, but instead of seeking funding, you’re securing interviews. A strong cv template for a Grant Writer needs to showcase persuasive writing, financial acumen, research skills, and the ability to achieve tangible results through successful applications. Recruiters need to see clear evidence of your impact.
When a recruiter picks up your cv example, they are looking for measurable outcomes: how much funding did you secure? What success rate do you have with proposals? How have you built long-term partnerships? These points are what elevate an average CV into an interview-winning one.
The structure of a high-performing Grant Writer CV
A clear, logical structure is essential. Here is the recommended CV structure I guide my clients through:
Professional Profile / Summary: A powerful, concise paragraph at the top highlighting who you are, your expertise, and your career achievements. For example, “Experienced Grant Writer with a proven track record of securing six-figure funding from UK and international donors, specialising in education and community projects.”
Key Skills: Use a bullet-point list with keywords such as Grant Writing, Proposal Development, Fundraising Strategy, Donor Relationship Management, Budget Preparation, Impact Reporting, and Stakeholder Engagement.
Professional Experience: Reverse chronological order. For each role, focus on achievements, not just responsibilities. Quantify wherever possible. For instance: “Secured £500,000 in funding from National Lottery Community Fund within 12 months.”
Education and Training: Include your degree, certifications (e.g., fundraising or project management), and any writing-related training.
Additional Information: Professional memberships (e.g., Institute of Fundraising), languages, IT skills (CRM databases, Microsoft Office).
This structure ensures that your CV is both ATS (Applicant Tracking System) friendly and appealing to human recruiters.
Crafting the perfect professional profile
Your professional summary must be sharp, energetic, and tailored. A bland summary such as “Grant Writer with experience in fundraising” will not cut it. Instead, be specific: “Accomplished Grant Writer with over 7 years’ experience in crafting successful funding bids for non-profit organisations, achieving a 70% proposal success rate and generating over £2 million in grant funding.”
This opening sets the tone and hooks the recruiter immediately.
How to highlight achievements on your Grant Writer CV
Employers want proof. Use numbers and outcomes wherever possible. For example:
“Developed and implemented a donor engagement strategy that increased repeat funding applications by 35%.”
“Wrote winning proposals securing £250,000 for health and wellbeing projects.”
“Collaborated with senior stakeholders to deliver strategic fundraising campaigns, resulting in a 50% increase in donor retention.”
When recruiters see quantifiable success, your CV naturally stands out.
Common mistakes to avoid in a Grant Writer CV
From my years of experience, I’ve noticed several recurring pitfalls:
Writing responsibilities instead of achievements
Overloading the CV with jargon
Neglecting to tailor the CV to the specific job description
Using a generic template without personalisation
Submitting a CV over two pages for junior or mid-level roles
Avoid these traps and your CV will already be ahead of half the competition.
Advice for graduates and entry-level applicants
If you are a graduate aspiring to become a Grant Writer, don’t worry if you lack direct fundraising experience. Focus on transferable skills. Highlight academic research, essay writing, voluntary work, or internships that involved report writing or financial planning. Mention modules that involved proposal writing, policy analysis, or project management. A strong graduate cv template should emphasise enthusiasm, adaptability, and potential.
Advice for middle management professionals
If you’re moving into a mid-level Grant Writer position, employers expect evidence of leadership, strategy, and consistent funding success. Your cv example should emphasise not just writing skills but also stakeholder management and the ability to coordinate teams. Show how you’ve guided junior writers, liaised with boards, or influenced funding strategies. At this level, recruiters want to see impact at both operational and strategic levels.
Advice for senior management and executive Grant Writers
At senior levels, the emphasis shifts to large-scale impact. Your CV should demonstrate how you’ve influenced organisational sustainability, secured multi-million-pound funding packages, and led cross-functional teams. Employers want to see that you are not only a writer but a strategic leader who understands the funding landscape, policy implications, and long-term growth opportunities.
General CV writing tips for Grant Writers
Always tailor your CV to each application by echoing keywords from the job description.
Keep the design professional and easy to read—no fancy graphics that can confuse ATS systems.
Ensure your LinkedIn profile mirrors your CV; recruiters almost always check.
Use active verbs: delivered, secured, achieved, implemented.
Keep it concise: two pages for most professionals, three for senior executives.
The do’s and don’ts for your Grant Writer CV
Do:
Showcase quantifiable achievements
Use a professional, consistent format
Highlight your writing, research, and financial skills
Tailor every CV to the job description
Don’t:
List only responsibilities—employers want results
Use vague, generic statements
Submit spelling or grammar errors (a writing role requires flawless presentation)
Make the CV too long or too cluttered
Final words of encouragement from Jerry Frempong
I’ve coached thousands of professionals across the UK and beyond, and I can assure you: a well-written, strategically tailored CV can transform your career opportunities. As a Grant Writer, your ability to persuade on paper is your superpower—let your CV reflect that skill. Whether you are a graduate starting out, a mid-level professional stepping up, or a senior leader aiming for bigger challenges, your CV is the key to unlocking interviews.
If you would like expert support in refining your Grant Writer CV template example, tailoring your LinkedIn profile, and maximising your career opportunities, I’d love to help. Book an appointment today to work directly with me and the team at CV London. Together, we’ll craft a CV that opens doors.
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