In this podcast episode, Mary Petersen discusses the critical signals that indicate when a donor is ready to be asked for a major gift. She emphasizes the importance of understanding engagement, values alignment, capacity, timing, and ownership signals. By recognizing these signals, fundraisers can approach potential donors with confidence and integrity, ensuring that the ask feels natural and appropriate. Petersen also introduces the concept of permission-based fundraising, which helps build a relationship that leads to successful major gift solicitations. Finally, she provides a scoring system to assess donor readiness and encourages fundraisers to focus on the right prospects to achieve their goals.

#majorgifts #fundraising #permission-based fundraising #philanthropy #donorrelationships

🪑 The Small Table Intensive. Half a day. Build or rebuild your major gift program around fewer donors and deeper relationships, using the methodology from my book Small Table Big Philanthropy.

🎯 The Ask Workshop. Half a day. The exact words to use when it's time to ask for 5 and 6-figure gifts. Walk in nervous about the ask. Walk out with the script.

More from Mary:

📘 Mary's books. What to Say and Small Table Big Philanthropy. The books behind the methodology.

🔥 Major Donor Meeting Mastery. My step-by-step system for donor meetings that move the relationship forward.

👩🏻‍💻 Momentum Training. My complete packaging + ask system, all in one place.

💻 Connect with Mary Petersen

• Website: heyfundraiser.com
• YouTube: @heyfundraisers
• Instagram: @heyfundraiser
• LinkedIn: ...