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Nonprofit executive director resume example

A two-page resume for an executive director with 18 years in nonprofit leadership. Boards and search committees hiring an ED want proof of four things: you can raise money, manage money, lead people and work with a board, all in service of results for the community. Each bullet answers one of them.

Nonprofit executive director resume example, page 1 of 2GWENDOLYN OSEI-HARPERNonprofit Executive Directorgwendolyn.osei-harper@example.com · (404) 555-0111 · Atlanta, GA · linkedin.com/in/gwendolynoseiharperSUMMARYExecutive director with 18 years in nonprofit leadership, the last seven leading a food security organization that grew from a $4million budget to $13 million and from 1 county to 5. I build engaged boards, diverse revenue and teams that stay, and Imeasure success by families fed and stable, not by activity.EXPERIENCEExecutive DirectorJan 2019 – PresentChattahoochee Food PartnershipAtlanta, GA•Grew the annual budget from $4.1 million to $13.2 million while raising individual giving from 18% to 34% of revenue, sono single funder exceeds 15%.•Led a $9 million capital campaign for a 60,000 sq ft distribution and training hub; raised $9.4 million and opened onbudget in 2024.•Expanded service from 1 county to 5 through 180 partner pantries, distributing 28 million pounds of food in FY2025.•Lead a staff of 75 and about 4,000 volunteers a year; staff turnover fell from 32% to 14% after a pay study and new careerpaths.•Rebuilt the board from 9 to 19 members with finance, health and legal expertise; board giving reached 100% for 6 straightyears.•Started a culinary job training program that has placed 210 graduates in jobs, 78% still employed after a year.Chief Operating OfficerApr 2012 – Dec 2018Metro Family Housing AllianceAtlanta, GA•Ran programs, finance, HR and facilities for a $9 million housing nonprofit with 60 staff.•Led the merger with a smaller shelter provider, combining 2 boards and 3 sites with no loss of funding.•Won $6 million in city and federal housing contracts and set up the systems to report on them without findings.Director of DevelopmentAug 2008 – Mar 2012Southside Youth ArtsAtlanta, GA•Grew contributed revenue from $900,000 to $2.1 million in 3 years and started the organization’s first major gifts program.EDUCATIONMaster of Public Administration, Nonprofit Management2006 – 2008Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GAB.A. in Sociology2002 – 2006Spelman CollegeAtlanta, GACERTIFICATIONSCertified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)2014CFRE InternationalGwendolyn Osei-Harper · 1 / 2
Nonprofit executive director resume example, page 2 of 2VOLUNTEERINGBoard Treasurer2020 – PresentEastlake Neighborhood Health ClinicAtlanta, GA•Chair the finance committee for a $3 million community clinic.SKILLSStrategic planning · Board governance · Major gifts and capital campaigns · Financial management · Government contracts ·Partnerships and coalitions · Advocacy · Program evaluation · Team leadership · Public speaking · Mergers and integration ·Risk managementGwendolyn Osei-Harper · 2 / 2
Nonprofit executive directorUse this example

What recruiters look for

  • Revenue growth and diversity: budget size over time and the mix of individual, foundation, government and earned revenue.
  • Financial stewardship: balanced budgets, reserves, clean audits, capital projects on budget.
  • Board partnership: board recruitment, governance changes and board giving. Boards hire someone they can work with.
  • Impact: people served and what changed for them, not only programs offered.
  • People leadership: staff size, retention, culture and succession.

Writing the summary

Give years of leadership, the type and size of organization you lead, and your biggest growth story with numbers. Add how you lead and what you measure. Search committees read this first and decide whether to read on.

The summary in this example

Executive director with 18 years in nonprofit leadership, the last seven leading a food security organization that grew from a $4 million budget to $13 million and from 1 county to 5. I build engaged boards, diverse revenue and teams that stay, and I measure success by families fed and stable, not by activity.

First-time executive director from a deputy or COO role

Chief operating officer with twelve years at two human services nonprofits, currently running programs, finance and HR for a $9 million organization with 60 staff. I have led a merger, won $6 million in public contracts and worked closely with the board on strategy. Ready to lead an organization as executive director.

Executive director of a small nonprofit

Executive director of a $1.2 million literacy nonprofit, where I am the chief fundraiser, manager of 9 staff and partner to an 11-member board. Doubled the budget in four years, opened a second site and built a reserve of six months of operating costs.

Bullet points that work

Strong lines for this role, beyond the ones in the example. Borrow the shape and put in your own numbers.

  • Turned a $600,000 deficit into a $400,000 surplus in 2 years and built a 4-month operating reserve.
  • Led a strategic plan with 300 community members, staff and partners; the board adopted it unanimously.
  • Closed 6 gifts of $1 million or more in a 5-year comprehensive campaign.
  • Merged with a peer organization, saving $350,000 a year in shared administrative costs.
  • Raised outcomes reporting to funders from 3 measures to 12, which helped win 2 multi-year government contracts.
  • Advocated for a state budget line that added $5 million a year for the sector, testifying at 3 hearings.
  • Hired and developed a leadership team of 6; 2 have since become executive directors.
  • Earned the highest rating from a national charity evaluator for 5 consecutive years.
  • Introduced pay bands and a living wage floor for 75 staff, funded by a 3-year operating plan.

Skills to list

Hard skills

  • Fundraising strategy and major gifts
  • Capital and comprehensive campaigns
  • Nonprofit finance and budgeting
  • Board development and governance
  • Strategic planning
  • Government contracts and grants
  • Program design and evaluation
  • HR and compensation
  • Advocacy and public policy

Soft skills

  • Leading through change
  • Public speaking and storytelling
  • Partnership with a board
  • Building trust with communities
  • Hard decisions made fairly

Certifications and licenses worth listing

  • Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE): respected for leaders who are also chief fundraisers.
  • Nonprofit management or executive education certificates (for example from a university nonprofit center) can go in one line.
  • Board service: not a certification, but serving on another nonprofit’s board shows you understand governance from both sides.

Length and format

Two pages. The first page covers your current role and the organization’s growth under you; the second covers earlier leadership roles, education and board service. Keep early-career roles to a line or two.

Common mistakes

  • Listing programs and duties without numbers for budget, revenue, people served and outcomes.
  • Taking sole credit for the team’s and the board’s work. Show how you led it.
  • No information about the board relationship, which is half the job.
  • Leaving out financial results. Boards fear deficits more than anything.
  • A mission statement in place of a summary.

Questions and answers

How long should a nonprofit executive director’s resume be?

Two pages is normal. Search committees expect a long record, but the first page must make the case on its own.

Should I list board service?

Yes. Serving on other boards shows you understand governance from the board’s side, which helps you work with your own. One line each is enough.

How do I show fundraising results honestly?

Give organizational totals with your role in them: “led a $9 million campaign” or “personally closed 6 gifts of $1 million or more”. Search committees will ask.

Do I need a cover letter for an ED search?

Yes. Search firms and boards read it for vision and fit with the mission. Make it specific to the organization’s strategy and challenges.

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