TANJA SARETT, CFRE
I’m driven by the desire to create change and make a difference.
The nonprofit sector in the U.S., Europe and Israel have become my passion and professional journey.
Thanks to the variety of responsibilities I have held over the years, and my experience in organizational leadership, fundraising, strategic planning, program development, management and marketing, I have become a passionate advocate for a synergy-based and team-centered approach to philanthropy and creative fundraising solutions.
My work and trainings have equipped me to create effective synergies between funders and organizations, an organization's fundraising work and its critical success drivers, and to prepare both foundations as well as nonprofits for the future.
- Tanja Sarett
Fundraising and Philanthropy Consultant
I launched my consultant career in 2017, inspired by my varied work with many organizations in the United States, Germany, and Israel.
Two key lessons that I learned first-hand are 1) “fundraising is an investment” and that 2) fundraising and change go hand-in-hand. Raising much-needed funds to fulfill your organization’s mission does not happen in a vacuum and is not an emergency solution, but rather requires a creative approach and thoughtful commitment by your organization and your stakeholders. In addition, the commitment to creating and implementing fundraising solutions requires aligning your organization’s complete environment and creating a process of change.
My fundraising work has been focused on major gifts, individual and institutional giving, prospect research, moves management, annual campaigns, fundraising events, and donor communication, cultivation and stewardship.
Foundation Professional
Prior to beginning consulting, I served as a Program Officer at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, a major international Jewish foundation. I helped maximize Harold Grinspoon’s multi-million-dollar investment and spearheaded growth, fundraising and communication strategies to strengthen the foundation and its flagship program PJ Library. In particular, I reshaped the structure of the NYC program and built the programmatic and fundraising capacity of programs in New Jersey. My years at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation gave me perspective about the role of a major funder, change agent and grantmaker, and the unique partnership between an institutional funder and nonprofit organizations. From conversations with major funding partners, I gleaned important insights about the grantmaking field, how to position programs and funding proposals, and how to create synergies.
Executive and Fundraiser
I had the privilege of serving as Executive Director of a regional Holocaust Museum in New York State where I revitalized the museum's fundraising, marketing, finance, and program operations. Being responsible for leading an organization and fundraising projects is both a rewarding and demanding experience. It shaped my desire to break down silos and invest in building organizational synergies and strong teams. As a fundraiser for JASA, a social service agency for the elderly, and The Abraham Fund Initiative, I built fundraising infrastructure and brought in funds through special events, improved fundraising systems, engaged different stakeholders and introduced advanced prospect research for prospect identification and major gifts solicitations.
Program Specialist
My career started at the German Museum in Munich, the Munich Youth Council and the International Munich Trade Fair Association and quickly progressed to my holding leadership and program positions with the DGB Youth in Munich/Germany, and The International Youth Meeting at Dachau/Germany. I also worked with many Israeli-based organizations, including The International March of the Living.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
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Bavarian Academy of Advertising and Marketing, Munich, Germany. Diploma in Public Relations
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Ludwig Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany. BA/MA in Political Science
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21/64, New York, NY. Certified 21/64 Multigenerational Giving Advisor
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Association of Fundraising Professionals HQ, Arlington, VA. Faculty Training Academy (AFP Master Trainer)
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IDEO U, Certificate in Advanced Design Thinking
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IDEO U, Certificate in Foundations in Creative Leadership
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Institute for Cultural Affairs (ICA) Associates, Toronto, Canada. Certificate in ToP Facilitation Essentials
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IDEO U, Certificate in Foundations in Design Thinking
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Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Certificate in Change Management
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CFRE International, Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) Credential, 2017
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Support Center for Nonprofit Management, New York, NY. Certificate in Management and Supervision
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New York University, New York, NY. Professional Certificate in Philanthropy and Fundraising
COMMUNITY
I am an active member and leader in my own community. I am a trustee of JPRO in NJ, a longtime volunteer at the AFP Fundraising Day in NY and served as a Slingshot Guide Evaluator. I co-founded a Jewish community group which I have been co-leading since 2005, and I am an alumna of "The Conversation. Jewish in America".