nonprofit advisor and fundraising counsel
Strategic clarity for steady transitions.
I help nonprofit leaders and boards move through change with practical tools and a calm perspective. Working together, we will build a stronger board, create a clear strategic plan, and sharpen your fundraising focus. Whether you are facing a leadership shift or a fork in the road, we will find a sensible way forward.
How I Help
Six ways we can work together to get your organization back on steady ground.
Strong Board Governance
A solid board makes everything else easier. I help you sort out roles and update old habits so your leadership team stays focused and grounded, even when the work gets complex or the community needs are high.
Productive Group Meetings
Sometimes you need a neighbor to facilitate the room. I lead retreats where folks can speak plainly and stay on track, turning a long meeting into a clear path forward for the organization and its mission.
Managing Big Changes
When leadership shifts or your focus moves, things feel shaky. I guide you through those transitions with a clear head and an honest process that respects your team and the work.
Sensible Strategy Work
Strategy should live in the real world, not a binder. I help you take a look at where you’re standing, weigh your actual options, and choose a direction that makes sense for the long haul.
Fundraising Preparation
Raising money works best when your foundation is firm. I help you organize your story and your campaign, ensuring your house is in order before you ask neighbors for their generous support.
Partnering & Staying Focused
We’ll look at what your community needs most right now. Sometimes that means a new partnership or even a merger. We’ll look at the facts and do what is right for the mission you serve.
An Experienced Outside Partner
Sarah Tanner has spent over 30 years working in our communities. She steps in at critical moments to offer common-sense advice and address the root issues that hold organizations back. Her approach is built on a simple truth: nonprofits succeed when they are honest about their goals and disciplined in their choices. Sarah doesn’t arrive with a rehearsed formula. Instead, she listens well and asks the questions that help you see your own organization more clearly. A proud UMass-Amherst alum with an MPA from CU-Denver, her career is rooted in Western Massachusetts. She spent 12 years as adjunct faculty at Bay Path University and has held executive roles within the regional United Way network and various local human service agencies. She knows this landscape well and believes in the people who work it. Today, she shares that experience to help your organization stay steady through whatever comes next.
Get in touch
If you are facing a big transition or a crossroads in your leadership, I would be happy to have a plain conversation about how I can help.
413-330-3548