If your major gifts work is running on vibes—if you only do outreach when you feel confident, or you avoid the ask until you feel “100% ready”—this episode is your intervention (said with love).

In this conversation, Mary breaks down the Momentum Method, a simple system that helps you build steady progress in major gifts without relying on motivation, a perfect week, or a magical burst of confidence. You’ll learn the 4 core elements that create momentum—and a weekly rhythm to keep them moving.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What “mood-based major gifts” looks like (and why it’s so common)
• The 4 elements of the Momentum Method:
  • Portfolio
  • Major Gift Materials (Outcomes + Offers)
  • Cultivation
  • Solicitation
• A simple weekly operating rhythm to build real major gift momentum
• The biggest reasons you feel stuck—and how to fix them with structure, not willpower
• How to stop “prepping” forever and start moving donors forward with confidence

Your simple challenge for this week:

Pick 5 donors you’re moving this week.
Write one clear next step for each.
Schedule two outreach blocks on your calendar.
That’s it. That’s the system.

Want the full Momentum system?

If you liked this episode, you’ll love Mary’s Momentum webinar—a 60-minute training that walks you through the full 4-part system and shows you how to apply it to your real-life donor portfolio (even if you’re busy, overwhelmed, or new-ish to major gifts). This is an on-demand webinar so you can watch it anytime :)

Watch the Momentum webinar here

Stop having “nice meetings” that go nowhere. If you want meetings that end with momentum (next step + timeline + clarity), start here:

🔥 Major Donor Meeting Mastery — my step-by-step system for better donor meetings.
📘 Mary's book — grab the framework and major gift ask scripts.
🎥 Momentum Webinar — learn the core strategy in one sitting.

💻 Connect with Mary Petersen

• Website: www.heyfundraiser.com
• YouTube: @heyfundraisers
• Instagram: @heyfundraiser
• LinkedIn: Mary Petersen
• Email: [email protected]