Grant makers want to know the key personnel who will be carrying out the project they are funding. They want to know they are giving money to competent people who will not mismanage funds and complete the project as intended. That’s why it’s important not to skimp on the resume section of the grant application…but you don’t want to overdo it either.
First, have all key personnel submit their resumes to you. Make sure they are updated. Then, go through them and highlight skills and experience particularly suited to the project and their role. Most grant applications just want one or two paragraphs per individual within the body of the grant. Your job is to condense the resume down into one or two compelling paragraphs that tell the story of the person’s education, experience, values and ambitions.
Look for similar roles they have filled through work experience throughout their career. Highlight how this project aligns with their values and passions as evidenced through their professional and educational decisions. Where have they volunteered their time? How did their roles evolve within their field? What position did they take on AFTER leaving law enforcement, or AFTER leaving the private sector, or AFTER their time in elected office? These are essential questions to consider.
If resumes are requested as attachments, they must ideally be one page. Again, if they must be condensed, reduce them to education and work experience directly pertinent to the project and in alignment with the values of the grant maker and grant purpose.
ALWAYS check grant guidelines for resumes because different grants lay out different contexts. If there are roles that have not yet been filled, explain the positions and indicate that hiring for these roles is part of the initial stages of the project.