Graduate Charity Officer CV Template Example
When you’re stepping into the world of graduate jobs, one of the most rewarding and impactful careers you can pursue is that of a Graduate Charity Officer. This role combines a sense of purpose with tangible responsibility, allowing you to make a real difference to communities, causes, and organisations that rely heavily on dedicated individuals like you. The position typically involves supporting fundraising activities, organising events, liaising with donors, managing volunteers, handling administrative duties, and raising awareness for the charity’s mission.
In the UK, a Graduate Charity Officer can expect a starting salary ranging from £21,000 to £26,000 per year, depending on location and organisation size. Larger charities and those based in London may offer slightly higher starting salaries, with opportunities for progression into management roles leading to salaries upwards of £35,000 to £50,000 in the medium to long term.
The role requires excellent communication skills, empathy, organisational ability, and a proactive attitude. Employers look for individuals who are passionate about social change, resourceful in problem solving, and committed to supporting others. With competition increasing across the charity sector, crafting an interview-winning CV is crucial to securing your ideal role.
Why a strong CV matters for a Graduate Charity Officer role
Your CV is often the very first impression you make with a hiring manager. In the charity sector, where values, passion, and practical skills intersect, it’s not just about listing what you’ve done—it’s about demonstrating how your experience and personal drive align with the organisation’s mission. A well-structured Graduate Charity Officer CV template example shows employers that you not only understand the role but also have the transferable skills and motivation to thrive in it.
What employers look for in a Graduate Charity Officer CV
Passion for the charity sector – A genuine interest in charitable causes, volunteering, or fundraising activities.
Communication skills – Ability to connect with stakeholders, donors, and volunteers both in writing and face-to-face.
Organisation and event planning – Demonstrated through project work, internships, or extra-curricular activities.
Fundraising and awareness-building – Experience in generating income or raising awareness for a cause.
Adaptability and teamwork – Charities often require staff to take on varied responsibilities.
Crafting the perfect Graduate Charity Officer CV template example
Below I will guide you through the step-by-step structure of a CV that will put you in the best position to land that interview.
Contact details and headline
Start with your full name, phone number, professional email address, and LinkedIn profile link. If you have a portfolio of charity work, event projects, or fundraising campaigns, consider including a link. Add a short headline such as:
“Graduate Charity Officer | Fundraising, Event Coordination & Volunteer Support”
This immediately frames you as the right candidate.
Personal statement
This is your opening pitch—a concise 4–5 line paragraph that captures your skills, enthusiasm, and commitment to the charity sector. For example:
“I am a highly motivated and socially driven graduate with proven experience in fundraising, community engagement, and event coordination. Passionate about delivering impactful support to charitable organisations, I bring excellent communication skills, adaptability, and a strong ability to collaborate with teams and stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.”
Key skills section
Use a bullet-pointed section to highlight your most relevant skills:
Fundraising campaigns and donor engagement
Event planning and coordination
Volunteer management and training
Social media promotion and awareness-raising
Strong written and verbal communication
Database and CRM systems (if applicable)
Education
As a graduate role, your education section will play a big part. Include:
Degree title, university name, dates attended, grade achieved (if 2:1 or above).
Relevant modules such as: Non-Profit Management, Communications, Social Policy.
Dissertation or projects related to charitable causes or social research.
Experience
Even if you don’t have years of paid employment in the charity sector, employers value transferable experience. Include:
Internships with charities, NGOs, or community organisations.
University society roles (fundraising officer, events manager, president).
Volunteering experiences such as organising charity events, participating in campaigns, or supporting vulnerable groups.
Part-time work where you demonstrated teamwork, communication, or organisational skills.
Use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to highlight achievements. For example:
“Organised a fundraising event for Cancer Research UK which raised £2,500 through ticket sales and sponsorships. Coordinated a team of 10 volunteers and managed logistics, resulting in a 30% increase in attendance compared to the previous year.”
Additional sections
Training and certifications (First Aid, Safeguarding, Digital Marketing courses).
Languages (particularly useful for international charities).
IT skills (MS Office, CRM databases, Canva for marketing).
CV structure for graduates
Contact details and headline
Personal statement
Key skills
Education
Experience (paid, voluntary, internships)
Additional sections (training, languages, IT skills)
This structure keeps your CV clean, focused, and easy to follow for recruiters.
Advice for graduates
Graduates often worry about a lack of direct experience. My advice: focus on what you have, not what you lack. Employers in the charity sector understand that passion and commitment are just as important as technical experience. Showcase:
Volunteering experience: Even one day of volunteering is worth including.
University achievements: Highlight leadership, fundraising, or event organisation.
Transferable part-time work skills: Customer service, teamwork, and handling responsibility.
Remember, recruiters want to see that you’re eager to learn, adaptable, and genuinely motivated by the charity’s mission.
Advice for middle management applicants
If you are applying for a Charity Officer or Manager role at a more senior level, your CV should reflect:
Strategic leadership experience in managing teams.
Proven fundraising track record with income figures.
Successful grant applications or corporate partnership development.
Evidence of programme delivery and measurable impact.
Tailor your CV to show achievements in line with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as funds raised, donor growth, or programme reach.
Advice for senior management applicants
Senior charity professionals must demonstrate:
Governance experience and board-level reporting.
Budget management, financial planning, and grant oversight.
Leadership in driving organisational growth.
Experience representing charities to stakeholders, media, and government.
For this level, your CV should extend beyond two pages, especially if showcasing long-term achievements, but still remain concise and results-driven.
The do’s and don’ts of a Graduate Charity Officer CV
Do’s:
Do tailor your CV to each charity and its mission.
Do include measurable achievements wherever possible.
Do highlight both hard skills (fundraising, data analysis) and soft skills (empathy, teamwork).
Do keep your CV clean, professional, and no more than two pages for graduates.
Do ensure consistent formatting, spelling, and grammar.
Don’ts:
Don’t include irrelevant jobs without explaining transferable skills.
Don’t use generic phrases such as “hardworking” without evidence.
Don’t overload your CV with jargon—keep it clear.
Don’t forget to update your LinkedIn profile to mirror your CV.
Don’t underestimate voluntary experience—employers value it highly.
General CV tips to stand out in the charity sector
Use action verbs such as “coordinated,” “raised,” “delivered,” “engaged.”
Mirror the keywords used in the job description to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Keep the design professional—avoid colours, graphics, or gimmicks.
Always accompany your CV with a strong, tailored cover letter.
Conclusion
As someone who has been coaching professionals for over 25 years, I can tell you this: the charity sector needs people like you—driven, compassionate, and eager to make a difference. A strong, targeted Graduate Charity Officer CV template example can help you stand out, secure interviews, and ultimately land your dream role.
If you’d like professional support in perfecting your CV and optimising your LinkedIn profile, I’d love to help you personally. Book an appointment today and let’s take your career to the next level: https://www.cvlondon.net/book-an-appointment/
