{"id":8296,"date":"2026-04-28T10:00:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T09:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.charityjob.co.uk\/careeradvice\/?p=8296"},"modified":"2026-04-28T10:02:03","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T09:02:03","slug":"how-to-write-a-fundraising-cover-letter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.charityjob.co.uk\/careeradvice\/how-to-write-a-fundraising-cover-letter\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Fundraising Cover Letter"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":163,"featured_media":8297,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[185,1],"tags":[293,7423],"class_list":["post-8296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cv-cover-letters","category-career-advice","tag-fundraising","tag-writing-a-cv"],"acf":{"job_search_bottom_form":false,"image":8297,"background":8297,"excerpt":"Applying for fundraising jobs? Check out our essential hints and tips to help you write the perfect fundraising cover letter and land that interview.","contenttypes":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","menu_title":"","content":"So, you\u2019ve been searching for fundraising roles and have found one that looks promising. Now the dreaded moment has come where you need to write the cover letter. However, with the right structure and information, it doesn\u2019t have to be that dreadful! Here\u2019s some essential advice on writing a fundraising cover letter."},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","menu_title":"Show that you care","content":"

Show that you care<\/h2>\r\nCharities are interested in people who are interested in them. In other words, you must show what has drawn you towards that particular charity. Is it a cause you care about? (Hint: it should be!)\r\n\r\nWe understand how many jobs you might be applying for, but put yourself in the charity\u2019s shoes\u2015they want a\u00a0fundraiser<\/a> who genuinely cares about their cause, not someone who\u2019s applied for everything that comes up. You should never use a generic or copied and pasted cover letter. All this will do is get your application rejected."},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","menu_title":"Show your experience","content":"

Show your experience<\/h2>\r\nIt's great that you\u2019ve shown all that brimming enthusiasm. It\u2019s now time to show off your experience! Your fundraising cover letter should show the charity you\u2019re applying to how you\u2019ll raise the revenue they need to keep running.\r\n\r\nIf you\u2019re an experienced fundraiser, this can be quite simple. Explain the work you\u2019ve done and most importantly show your results (without bragging of course)!\r\n\r\nThis gets a little harder if you\u2019re applying for your first fundraising position<\/a>, or if you\u2019re looking to shift careers. The aim, in this case, will be to demonstrate how your experience is transferable.<\/a> You might have experience in sales, marketing, PR or something else entirely. Just make sure you clearly show how your skills would be useful in a fundraising environment."},{"acf_fc_layout":"single_image","menu_title":"","image":8299,"image_link":"","image_link_new_tab":false},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","menu_title":"Eliminate the extraneous","content":"

Eliminate the extraneous<\/h2>\r\nChannel your inner Hemmingway when writing your cover letter. If it\u2019s not essential, cut it, as most employers will not read more than a page. 500 words should be considered the limit unless the job ad states otherwise.\r\n\r\nThe fundraising cover letter should demonstrate, as much as possible, your suitability for\u00a0the job in the shortest word count. Another thing to bear in mind is to ensure you don\u2019t repeat anything that\u2019s covered on your CV; employers really don\u2019t like to read things twice."},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","menu_title":"Double check for errors","content":"

Double check for errors<\/h2>\r\nBefore you click that apply button, make sure you\u2019ve gone over your fundraising cover letter with a fine-tooth comb. Mistakes that seem small to you can appear pretty glaring to a prospective employer. The higher end of\u00a0fundraising jobs<\/a> will require you to write grants<\/a>\u00a0and applications, so they're going to want someone who doesn\u2019t easily make mistakes."},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","menu_title":"Use active language and end strong","content":"

Use active language and end strong<\/h2>\r\nFundraising is an active profession; you\u2019re going to always need to be on top of your craft. To reflect this, you should avoid using passive language. Be forward and active with your wording. End your cover letter for charity fundraising strongly; you can even request an interview if you\u2019re feeling very forward.\r\n\r\nLet the charity know you\u2019ll follow up\u2015which you should do anyway\u2015and if you don\u2019t hear back<\/a> from the employer, then make sure you get in contact with them."},{"acf_fc_layout":"single_image","menu_title":"","image":8303,"image_link":"","image_link_new_tab":false},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","menu_title":"Should you use AI for cover letters?","content":"

Should you use AI for cover letters?<\/h2>\r\nDeciding whether to use AI to help you write your fundraising cover letter is a personal choice. What we don\u2019t recommend, however, is using AI to produce a cover letter from scratch and submitting it unchanged.\r\n\r\nWhat truly sets a good fundraiser apart is passion for the cause and commitment to making an impact. The most effective cover letters bring this to life by showing personality and sharing genuine examples of your motivation and achievement. While AI can present the facts for you in a polished way, it can\u2019t replicate the warmth, individuality or authenticity really needed to make your application memorable.\r\n\r\nUsed thoughtfully, \u00a0AI can be a helpful support \u2013 for example to polish a draft you\u2019ve already written, or to suggest a structure or template to guide you. But the true heart of your cover letter -your story, values and enthusiasm - needs to come from you.\r\n\r\nFor more tips on using AI in job applications, download our free guide: Navigating AI in Recruitment.<\/a><\/strong>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","menu_title":"Useful resources for charity fundraising","content":"

Useful resources for charity fundraising<\/h2>\r\nHere are a few resources that can help you get involved in the world of fundraising and work towards a professional fundraising career.\r\n