Grant Writer guide · 2026
Free ATS-friendly Grant Writer resume templates, copy-paste ready resume content, and writing tips to help you pass screening and land interviews.
01 · Resume example
Three different resume styles for grant writers — classic, sidebar, and minimal. Each is tailored to real job requirements and ready to download. Pick the one that fits your experience level and personal style.
Grant Writer
emily.carter@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | Austin, Texas, United States
Detail-oriented Grant Writer with 3+ years of experience securing funding for nonprofit organizations. Proven track record of writing compelling proposals that raised over $1.5M in grants. Skilled in researching funding opportunities, managing deadlines, and collaborating with program staff to align proposals with donor priorities.
2022 - Present · Grant Writer, Austin Community Foundation, Austin
2020 - 2022 · Junior Grant Writer, BrightPath Nonprofit, Dallas
2016 - 2020, B.A. in English, University of Texas at Austin; Grant Writing Certificate
Hard skills: Proposal Writing, Grant Research, Budget Development, Federal Grant Compliance, CRM (Salesforce), Microsoft Office
Soft skills: Communication, Time Management, Collaboration, Persuasion, Attention to Detail
Results-driven Senior Grant Writer with 6+ years of experience in securing six- and seven-figure grants for healthcare, education, and social services organizations. Expert in managing the full grant lifecycle, leading cross-functional teams, and building relationships with major funders.
2021 - Present · Senior Grant Writer, HealthBridge Foundation, San Francisco
2018 - 2021 · Grant Writer, Education Forward, San Jose
Junior Grant Writer
jessica.nguyen@email.com | (555) 345-6789 | Denver, Colorado, United States
Aspiring Grant Writer with a strong foundation in persuasive writing and nonprofit fundraising. Completed a Grant Writing Certificate and built a portfolio of sample proposals. Eager to apply research and writing skills to help organizations secure funding.
2023 - Present · Grant Writing Intern, GreenLeaf Nonprofit, Denver
2022 - 2023 · Development Assistant, TechVista Charity, Boulder
2019 - 2023, B.A. in Communications, University of Colorado Boulder; Grant Writing Certificate
Grant Research, Proposal Writing, Editing, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CRM Basics · Curiosity, Adaptability, Written Communication, Collaboration, Attention to Detail
02 · Free templates
Every template below is free, fully editable in WPS Writer, and formatted to pass ATS screening. Click a preview to view it full size, then download it and swap in your details.
03 · Copy-paste resume
A ready-to-use resume that matches what hiring managers and ATS screeners actually look for. Copy each section below into a WPS resume template, then tailor the numbers to your own experience.
Detail-oriented Grant Writer with 3+ years of experience securing funding for nonprofit organizations. Proven track record of writing compelling proposals that raised over $1.5M in grants. Skilled in researching funding opportunities, managing deadlines, and collaborating with program staff to align proposals with donor priorities.
Hard skills: Proposal Writing · Grant Research · Budget Development · Federal Grant Compliance · CRM (Salesforce) · Microsoft Office Soft skills: Communication · Time Management · Collaboration · Persuasion · Attention to Detail
• Researched and identified 50+ grant opportunities annually, building a pipeline that increased proposal submissions by 40%. • Wrote and submitted 25+ grant proposals, securing $800K in funding for local community programs. • Collaborated with program directors to develop project budgets and narratives, ensuring alignment with funder guidelines. • Maintained a grant calendar and tracked reporting deadlines for 15+ active grants.
• B.A. in English, Communications, Political Science, or related field • Certifications: Grant Writing Certificate, Certified Grant Writer (GPC) • Tip: add a portfolio of sample proposals or a list of successfully funded grants to demonstrate your writing skills.
These bullets are based on real grant writer job requirements — the duties, skills, and what employers actually screen for. Paste them into a free WPS ATS-friendly resume template, then adjust the numbers to match your own results.
04 · How to write
Grant writer hiring managers look for proof you can secure funding. Here is the step-by-step structure that gets your resume read — based on what real job postings ask for.
Open with 2–3 lines: your years of experience, types of grants you've secured (federal, foundation, corporate), and total funding raised. Skip generic phrases like 'passionate about making a difference'.
Include hard skills like proposal writing, grant research, budget development, and compliance. Mirror exact keywords from the job description (e.g., 'federal grants', 'foundation relations') so ATS screening matches.
For each role, use 'action + result': 'wrote 25+ proposals securing $800K', 'increased win rate by 20%', 'managed a portfolio of 30+ grants'. Numbers prove your impact.
List a degree in English, Communications, Political Science, or related field, plus certifications like Grant Writing Certificate or GPC. New to the field? Include a portfolio of sample proposals.
Keep it to one page unless you have 10+ years of experience. A clean, ATS-friendly layout in a free WPS template makes every section easy to scan.
05 · Common mistakes
Most grant writer candidates make the same avoidable resume mistakes. Here is how to avoid them — so your resume passes ATS screening and gets read.
A one-size-fits-all resume rarely matches a specific job description. Customize your summary and skills to mirror the posting — ATS and recruiters both reward relevance.
'Wrote grant proposals' tells little. 'Wrote 25+ proposals securing $800K' shows impact. Use action + result for every bullet under Work Experience.
If the job asks for 'federal grants', 'foundation relations', or 'budget development', those exact words should appear in your skills and experience. Mirror the job description's wording so screening software matches.
Recruiters skim in seconds. Use a clean one-page layout with clear section headers — a cluttered design gets passed over even with strong content.
06 · Why WPS
Hundreds of free, ATS-friendly resume templates — start from a polished layout, not a blank page. Built-in spell & grammar check catches typos that can get your resume screened out. One-click PDF export keeps your…
Download WPS Office Free07 · Solution
From a ready-made ATS-friendly template to a polished PDF, WPS Office covers the whole resume-writing process — free, lightweight, and no subscription needed.
Choose from 1,000+ professionally designed resume templates for every industry and career stage. Clean, parseable layouts that pass applicant tracking systems — so your application actually gets seen by a human.
Easily change text, fonts, and colors in a lightweight, fully-featured Word editor. Tailor every line to the job you want — no subscription, no watermark, your style.
Use the built-in spell and grammar checker to catch typos, and keep headers, spacing, and bullets clean so your resume stays scannable and professional.
Convert your finished resume to PDF with zero formatting shifts, so it looks perfect on any recruiter's screen — ready to send in seconds.
Free Word editor, PDF converter, and 1,000+ resume templates. No sign-up required.
Quick answers for aspiring grant writers and career changers evaluating the role.
Get the complete WPS job-search kit: an ATS-friendly resume template, a skill checklist, and an interview tracker — all free. Build a resume that gets interviews, close your skill gaps, and walk into every round prepared.
Get the Free Resume Template
