MY STORY - TANJA SARETT, CFRE, CVF, ACC
Over the past 25 years, the nonprofit sectors in the US, Europe, and Israel have shaped both my passion and professional journey.
Through diverse roles in fundraising, strategic planning, program development, and organizational leadership, I’ve come to believe that the most powerful solutions emerge when we connect the right people, ideas, and strategies.
This is the heart of The Synergies Advantage - a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach that integrates best practices from across sectors to unlock innovation and accelerate impact.

I’m Tanja Sarett, a senior nonprofit and fundraising consultant, facilitator, trainer, and certified executive coach with over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector in the United States, Europe, and Israel. I help mission-driven organizations grow their impact, strengthen their teams, and raise more funds with clarity and confidence.
My expertise - and passion - lies in elevating nonprofit effectiveness, innovation, and revenue. I specialize in major gifts strategy, prospect research and wealth screening, moves management, donor engagement, capital campaigns, and international (especially transatlantic) fundraising. Recognized for my strategic insight and results-driven approach, I’ve been recruited by leading fundraising consulting firms (Carter, Amplify Partners, Chapel & York, and others) to support a wide range of clients across sectors and geographies.
Over the years, I’ve also developed a deep appreciation for facilitation and coaching as a powerful tool to drive collaboration and strategic alignment. My facilitation journey began with youth-focused NGOs in Germany and evolved in the U.S., especially during the pandemic, when I began designing and leading virtual trainings for nonprofit professionals worldwide. I draw on dynamic methodologies such as IDEO Design Thinking, Liberating Structures, the Technology of Participation (ToP), and tools from the Agile community to bring energy and results to every session I lead.
Prior to consulting, I held senior leadership roles in the field. As a Program Officer at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, I helped steward and scale PJ Library and other initiatives, strengthening the foundation’s reach and philanthropic impact. Earlier, I served as Executive Director of a Holocaust museum in New York, revitalizing its fundraising and operations. My career has also included leadership and fundraising roles with organizations such as JASA, The Abraham Initiative, International March of the Living, DGB Youth in Munich, and the Dachau International Youth Meeting.
I’m a lifelong learner, always seeking new tools, ideas, and approaches to better serve my clients.
I hold an M.A. in Political Science from Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich and a diploma in Public Relations from the Bavarian Academy of Advertising and Marketing.
My learning journey has included:
Fundraising and Philanthropy
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Boardsource, Certificate in Nonprofit Board Consulting
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21/64, New York, NY. Certified 21/64 Multigenerational Giving Advisor
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AFP HQ, Arlington, VA. Faculty Training Academy (AFP Master Trainer)
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CFRE International, Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) Credential
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New York University, New York, NY. Certificate in Philanthropy and Fundraising
Facilitation and Organizational Processes
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International Association of Facilitators (IAF), EndorsedTM Facilitator Designation
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Scrum Inc, Certified Scrum Master
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Institute for International Facilitation, Certified Virtual Facilitator
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Institute for Cultural Affairs (ICA) Associates, Toronto, Certificate in Technology of Participation (ToP) Facilitation Essentials
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Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Certificate in Change Management
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Support Center for Nonprofit Management, New York, NY. Certificate in Management and Supervision
IDEO
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IDEO U, Certificates in Foundations in Design Thinking and Advanced Design Thinking
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IDEO U, Certificate in Foundations in Creative Leadership
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Innovating with Data
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Harnessing AI
Coaching
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International Coaching Federation, Associate Certified Coach
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Center for Executive Coaching, Certified Executive Coach
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Center for Executive Coaching, Mentor Coaching Program
Research and Survey Methodology
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University of Maryland, Certificate in Framework for Data Collection and Analysis
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University of Michigan, Certificate in Data Collection: Online, Telephone and Face-to-Face
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University of Michigan, Certificate in Questionnaire Design for Social Surveys