📅 Episode Summary:
Ever wonder what a major gift coach actually does? In this episode, Mary pulls back the curtain on a single Monday filled with coaching sessions, new client strategy, proposal rewrites, and prospect deep dives. You’ll hear what it really takes to help fundraisers grow their confidence, build a major gift pipeline, and start closing six- and seven-figure gifts—no guesswork, no fluff.

💡 Whether you're a solo development officer, a board chair taking on fundraising, or a seasoned MGO needing structure and strategy—this episode is packed with real-life scenarios, coaching advice, and actionable takeaways.

🔥 In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Heather’s journey from $0 to $35K and how she’s prepping a $250K ask
• A theatre’s $3M challenge—and why their $10K/month consultant isn’t cutting it
• Coaching a one-person development shop through donor meeting language and confidence building
• Why your 15-page proposal is probably doing more harm than good
• How to build a prospect strategy map and cultivation touchpoint calendar
• Welcoming a new Major Gift Momentum member and creating systems from scratch
• Helping a large nonprofit structure messaging to inspire seven-figure gifts

✨ Links & Resources:

• 🧰 Major Donor Meeting Mastery – $47 Course
• 📚 Join the Fundraising Collective
• 🚢 Major Gift Momentum – Group Coaching
• ☎️ Book a Free 45-Minute Game Plan Call with Mary

💬 Quotable Moment:
"A major gift coach doesn’t just tell you what to do—we’re in the trenches with you, building your confidence, your materials, and your strategy." – Mary Petersen

Hey fundraiser! In this episode, I’m sharing a major mindset (and strategy) shift that changed everything for me in major gifts: Permission-Based Fundraising.

Years ago, I blew a solicitation—not because I asked for the wrong amount, but because I asked without permission. That moment reshaped how I approach every donor conversation, and today, I’m walking you through exactly how you can use this strategy to:

• Build deeper trust with your donors
• Create donor-led momentum through every stage of Moves Management
• Eliminate awkward asks and surprise solicitations
• Get more joyful, generous YESes (and fewer no-shows, ghostings, or "let me think about it"s)

This episode is packed with permission-based scripts, psychology-backed strategies, and real examples you can use right away. If you’ve ever felt unsure about when to ask or struggled to move relationships forward—this one’s for you.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• What permission-based fundraising is—and why it’s more powerful than pitch-based approaches
• The difference between “making the ask” and inviting a gift
• My favorite permission-based phrases you can use in donor meetings right now
• Why asking permission actually speeds up your major gift results
• How to keep the ball in your court while honoring the donor's autonomy
• The #1 question to ask before you ever solicit a gift

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Learn more about the Major Gift Ask Formula – Know exactly when it’s time to make the ask
• Explore our coaching programs and resources at www.heyfundraiser.com

10 Permission-Based Ask Examples for Fundraisers:

• “Would it be okay if I shared an idea that I think really aligns with your passion for [X]?”
• “When the timing feels right for you, I’d love to explore ways you could make a meaningful impact.”
• “Can I show you what your support could unlock — just to get your thoughts?”
• “Would you be open to hearing a vision we’re excited about — no pressure, just a conversation?”
• “If you're curious, I could walk you through a few giving opportunities that match what you've told me matters to you.”
• “Would it feel good to explore how you might be part of this — or would you rather stay in learning mode a bit longer?”
• “Can I keep you in the loop as we move this forward, in case the timing feels right down the road?”
• “Would you be willing to help us shape what this looks like? Your input would mean a lot.”
• “I’ve got something I think you’d enjoy seeing — would it be okay if I sent it your way?”
• “Are you open to a conversation about what meaningful support could look like, even if it’s not now?”

💬 Leave a Review:

If this episode sparked a lightbulb moment or helped you reframe your donor strategy, leave a review and share it with your fellow fundraisers. Let’s help more fundraisers ask with confidence and lead with trust.

Description:

Ever feel like you're stuck in your major gift work — second-guessing your proposals, over-preparing for donor meetings, or trying to sound more “professional” than you feel?

You’re not alone — and you’re not broken. You’re just operating with some mindsets that a lot of fundraisers are carrying around.

In this episode, Mary unpacks the three most common mindset traps holding fundraisers back from raising transformational gifts — and gives you the tools to flip each one into confidence, connection, and action.

🎯 Mindset #1: “I Have to Be Perfect to Be Taken Seriously”

• Why donors don’t want a polished pitch — they want you.
• How to shift from performance to presence.
• The #1 reframe that turns pressure into connection.

🚀 Mindset #2: “I’ll Send the Proposal Once It’s Perfect”

• How perfectionism delays gifts (and drains your energy).
• Why done is better than perfect — especially in proposals.
• A new way to think about proposals that frees you up to just send it.

💥 Mindset #3: “I Need to Be Someone Else to Connect with Donors”

• Why being your real, sometimes awkward self is your secret weapon.
• How “sticky trust” gets built in donor conversations.
• A story about how humor (yep, even that) can unlock major gifts.

🎉 Wrap-Up:
Pick ONE mindset to shift today. Then check out Major Donor Meeting Mastery — Mary’s game-changing training for fundraisers who are ready to land the meeting, build trust, and close big gifts (without feeling fake or salesy).

Links & Resources:

• 💻 Major Donor Meeting Mastery

Let’s Stay Connected:

• Instagram: @heyfundraiser
• LinkedIn: Mary Petersen

Fundraiser, this is a BIG one! 🎉 Closing your first six-figure gift is a milestone moment in your career—and today, I’m walking you through exactly how to make it happen.

Whether you’re brand new to major gifts or just haven’t hit that $100K mark yet, this episode will give you the step-by-step framework to find the right donor, cultivate the relationship, make a powerful ask, and steward the gift for future giving.

And hey—if you’ve already closed a six-figure gift, stick around! You’ll relive the glory of your first “YES” and pick up tips to help you land your next one even faster. 🚀

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✅ How to find the right donor—no more chasing whales!
✅ Why high affinity + high capacity = your ideal six-figure prospect
✅ The #1 mistake that keeps fundraisers from making big asks
✅ How to cultivate with purpose (so you’re always moving toward the ask)
✅ The permission-based fundraising strategy that guarantees you’re asking at the right time
✅ What to do after the donor says YES to keep them engaged for future gifts

Key Takeaways:

🛠 Step 1: Find the Right Prospect

• No more guessing! You need both high affinity & high capacity
• Look at past giving trends—who is already engaged and increasing their gifts?

⏳ Step 2: Make Time to Fundraise

• Major gifts don’t happen by accident! Protect your time & focus on deep relationships
• What you focus on = what gets results

📣 Step 3: Have a Strong Case for Support

• What are your fundable impact areas? Don’t just build new programs—fund what’s already making a difference
• Create clear, compelling cases for why this gift matters

💡 Step 4: Cultivate with Purpose

• Every interaction should move the donor closer to the ask
• Use personalized, high-touch engagement (events, site tours, board meetings, peer-to-peer connections)

🤝 Step 5: Get Permission to Ask

• Before you end any donor meeting, secure the next step
• Example: “Next time we meet, I’d love to talk to you about a significant financial commitment. Would that be okay?”

💰 Step 6: Make the Ask

• Be specific: “Would you consider a leadership gift of $100,000 to make X program possible?”
• Then, STOP TALKING. Let the donor think & respond—don’t rush to fill the silence!

🎉 Step 7: Steward the Gift Like a Pro

• Call the donor the next day to celebrate their commitment
• Keep them updated as their gift makes an impact (this sets up their next big gift!)

Resources & Links:

📌 FREE 7-Figure Fundraising Success Method Webinar – Take the 30-minute audit & see if you’re ready for six-figure gifts Watch it HERE
📌 Major Donor Meeting Mastery Course – Learn how to land meetings & move donors toward a YES: Get The Masterclass HERE
📌 Connect with Me on LinkedIn – Let’s talk fundraising! 

Episode Summary:
Raise your hand if you’ve ever walked out of a donor meeting thinking, “Oh my gosh, I totally messed that up.” 🙋‍♀️ We've all been there! Asking for a major gift can feel stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I break down the five biggest solicitation mistakes I see fundraisers make every single day—and how to avoid them.

Whether you’re struggling with when to ask, what to say, or how to handle donor objections, this episode is packed with real-life strategies to help you make stronger asks and close bigger gifts.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✅ Why asking too soon can cost you the gift (and how to fix it)
✅ How to make your donor meetings feel like a conversation—not a monologue
✅ The #1 mistake that leads to vague, unconvincing asks (and how to make yours clear & compelling)
✅ What to say when a donor hesitates or pushes back
✅ Why following up is a must—even if the answer is “I need to think about it”

Mistakes Covered in This Episode:
🚨 Mistake #1: Asking Too Soon – Why 90% cultivation, 10% ask is the magic ratio
🚨 Mistake #2: Talking Too Much – How to get the donor to do most of the talking (and why silence after the ask is golden)
🚨 Mistake #3: Not Being Clear About the Ask – How to structure your ask so the donor knows exactly what you’re requesting
🚨 Mistake #4: Not Handling Objections Well – Why objections are NOT rejections (and how to turn a no into a maybe, and a maybe into a yes)
🚨 Mistake #5: Failing to Follow Up – The easiest way to leave money on the table

Resources & Links:
📌 FREE Objection Handling Guide – Listen to the Podcast HERE
📌 15 Best Questions to Ask Donors During Cultivation – Download HERE
📌 Connect with Me on LinkedIn – Let’s talk fundraising! Connect & Follow Me HERE

Your Next Steps:
🎧 Loved this episode? Leave a review and let me know your biggest takeaway!
📢 Share this episode with a fellow fundraiser who could use a confidence boost before their next big ask.
📩 Got a question or topic request? Send me a voice message here: Leave A Message for Mary

Thanks for listening, fundraiser! Go out there and make some magic happen. 🚀✨

Welcome to the first podcast of 2025! Starting a new year can feel like both a blank slate and a daunting challenge—especially when your fundraising total resets to zero. But don’t worry, fundraiser, we’ve got you covered.

In this episode, we break down how to approach your annual fundraising goals with clarity, strategy, and confidence. You’ll learn:

1. How to divide your big fundraising goal into actionable quarterly milestones.
2. The importance of maintaining a prospect list full of ready-to-close donors.
3. How to build work-back plans for each prospect to keep you on track.
4. How to account for life’s distractions, from gala season to vacation time.
5. Why quarterly reviews are critical to staying proactive and hitting your targets.

Whether your fiscal year aligns with the calendar or not, this episode is packed with tips and tricks to help you tackle your goals head-on and stay flexible as life happens.

Resources Mentioned:

• Download your FREE Major Gift Fundraising Planner here

Got a big fundraising goal for 2025? Let’s tackle it together! Listen to the full episode, and don’t forget to share this podcast with a fellow fundraiser who could use a motivational boost.

Major Donor Meeting Mastery:

If you want to lean in to how to set yourself up for getting to the ask quicker and having deeper relationships, check out this $47 masterclass.

Subscribe & Follow:

• If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to the Hey Fundraiser! podcast so you never miss an episode.
• Join Mary in the Major Gift Fundraisers Facebook Group for more fundraising tips, funny moments, and promotional content.

Connect with Mary:

• Website: www.heyfundraiser.com
• Email: [email protected]

→ Join The Fundraising Collective 

→ Connect with Mary Petersen on LinkedIn
→ Join our Private Facebook Group

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary

It should not take you more than a year to close a major gift. The days of cultivating for 18+ months is OVER.  I hope this story inspires you to:

• embrace permission-based fundraising
• trim your portfolio so that you have 40-60 qualified prospects
• go deeper with fewer prospects, as opposed to shallow efforts with hundreds of prospects

Send a voicemail to Mary: https://www.speakpipe.com/heyfundraiser

Major Donor Meeting Mastery:

If you want to lean in to how to set yourself up for getting to the ask quicker and having deeper relationships, check out this $47 masterclass.

Subscribe & Follow:

• If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to the Hey Fundraiser! podcast so you never miss an episode.
• Join Mary in the Major Gift Fundraisers Facebook Group for more fundraising tips, funny moments, and promotional content.

Connect with Mary:

• Website: www.heyfundraiser.com
• Email: [email protected]

→ Join The Fundraising Collective 

→ Connect with Mary Petersen on LinkedIn
→ Join our Private Facebook Group

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary

What sets the most successful major gift officers (MGOs) apart from the rest? In this episode, we explore the single most important trait that top-performing MGOs share—a quality that helps them thrive in the face of challenges, build meaningful donor relationships, and achieve extraordinary results.

We’ll unpack how this trait shows up in daily fundraising work, why it’s so crucial for long-term success, and, most importantly, how you can cultivate it in your own career. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, this episode will give you practical steps to strengthen your skills and unlock your potential as a fundraiser.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why this one trait is a game-changer for major gift officers
• How this quality impacts every stage of the donor journey, from cultivation to stewardship
• Real-life examples of how top MGOs use it to overcome challenges and build trust
• Actionable tips to develop this trait and incorporate it into your daily work

Don’t Miss This Episode If:

• You’ve ever struggled with setbacks in your fundraising efforts.
• You’re looking for strategies to improve your donor relationships.
• You want to learn the secret that separates top MGOs from the rest.

Listen now and discover the #1 trait that will take your fundraising career to the next level!

Subscribe & Follow:

• If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to the Hey Fundraiser! podcast so you never miss an episode.
• Join Mary in the Major Gift Fundraisers Facebook Group for more fundraising tips, funny moments, and promotional content.

Connect with Mary:

• Website: www.heyfundraiser.com
• Email: [email protected]

→ Join The Fundraising Collective

→ Connect with Mary Petersen on LinkedIn
→ Join our Private Facebook Group

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary

In today’s episode, we tackle one of the most vital elements of major gift fundraising—finding new prospects! Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser looking to sharpen your strategy or a newcomer eager to build your prospect pipeline, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you cultivate meaningful relationships with future major donors.

Join Mary as she shares proven tactics for identifying and qualifying high-potential prospects who will truly make a difference in your organization. We’ll dive into the importance of affinity and capacity, leveraging your board’s network, qualifying potential donors through discovery calls, and even mining your own database for hidden gems. This episode is all about finding, qualifying, and nurturing the best prospects so you can spend more time building relationships and less time chasing “maybes.”

If you’re ready to create a lean, focused portfolio of prospects who are passionate about your mission, then this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways:

1. The Right Prospect Pool Equals Major Gift Success
   Learn why a lean, well-curated prospect pool is worth more than a list of hundreds of "maybe" prospects. Mary shares why quality over quantity is the key to securing transformative gifts.
2. Affinity + Capacity: The Qualifying Formula
   Discover how identifying prospects with high affinity for your mission and strong giving capacity is essential to building a successful prospect list.
3. Leverage Your Network Through Board and Volunteers
   Tips for turning your board members and campaign volunteers into powerful prospecting partners, allowing you to expand your network without spending extra hours on direct prospecting.
4. Mining Your Database for Hidden Gems
   The database you already have is one of your best resources for finding potential major donors. We discuss how to identify mid-level donors, lapsed major donors, and ways to use wealth screening wisely.
5. Building Trust from the First Contact
   Mary shares her favorite “sticky trust strategies” to make a memorable impression from the first interaction, laying the foundation for a lasting donor relationship.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• 6 Ways to Build Your Best Major Gift Portfolio — Explore our blog post that dives into portfolio management, qualifying prospects, and maximizing every spot in your pipeline.
• Major Donor Meeting Mastery — Mary’s $47 training that gives you the frameworks and confidence to land major donor meetings and turn those relationships into big wins for your organization. Learn more here.

Additional Resources:

• Current Trends for Major Gift Officers — Read up on trends for gift officers to hone your portfolio, maximize prospect outreach, and cultivate transformative donor relationships.

→ Join The Fundraising Collective 

In this episode, Mary dives into the number one challenge faced by her major gift coaching clients—fear of making the ask. Whether it’s the fear of rejection or the fear of damaging a relationship, many fundraisers struggle with taking that final step. Mary shares practical strategies to help you confidently make major gift asks, even when fear kicks in. From mindset shifts to cultivation tactics, and knowing when it’s time to ask, this episode is packed with actionable advice. Mary also discusses how to handle objections and what to do if your prospect says no.

Key Takeaways:

• Fear of Rejection is Real: Mary shares her own experiences with the fear of rejection and how getting past that initial "no" helped her grow as a major gift officer.
• Mindset Shifts: Learn how to reframe your thinking from viewing an ask as a withdrawal in the emotional bank account to seeing it as an opportunity for your prospect to make a meaningful impact.
• Cultivation Tactics: Discover the importance of preparing your prospect for the ask by understanding their motivations, interests, and connection to your organization’s mission.
• Permission-Based Fundraising: Mary emphasizes the value of gaining permission for next steps in every interaction to build trust and ensure that the ask won’t be a surprise.
• Handling Objections: Mary provides examples of open-ended questions that can help you understand and address any concerns your prospect might have, reducing the chances of a "no."

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Download: 15 Questions to Ask During Cultivation - These questions will help you deepen your relationship with your prospect and get you closer to a successful ask.
• Schedule a Game Plan Call: Book your free 45-minute call with Mary to discuss your unique challenges in major gift fundraising and how to overcome them.

Subscribe & Follow:

• If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to the Hey Fundraiser! podcast so you never miss an episode.
• Join Mary in the Major Gift Fundraisers Facebook Group for more fundraising tips, funny moments, and promotional content.

Connect with Mary:

• Website: www.heyfundraiser.com
• Email: [email protected]

→ Join The Fundraising Collective 

→ Connect with Mary Petersen on LinkedIn
 → Join our Private Facebook Group

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary