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...

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....

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...

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 fundraisingtrim your portfolio so that you have...

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 meaningfu...

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 episod...

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 fin...

In this episode, Mary dives into transforming board members into effective storytelling fundraisers. She highlights the significance of board members feeling comfortable and skilled in connecting with donors through the organization's stories. ...

In this episode, Mary discusses the importance of fundraising operations and how it can make or break a fundraising program. She outlines six pillars of strong fundraising operations, including strong technology and systems management, enhancin...

In this podcast episode, Mary Hackett discusses the importance of metrics in annual giving. She emphasizes the need to measure what truly matters and avoid vanity metrics. Mary then dives into specific key performance indicators (KPIs) for annu...

In this week's Hey Fundraiser! episode, Mary Hackett discusses the importance of creating an effective fundraising board and how to engage board members based on their unique profiles. She highlights common mistakes organizations make with boar...

Join our host, Mary Hackett, as she bravely shares three impactful stories of fundraising failures, revealing valuable lessons and pitfalls to avoid in this very personal Hey Fundraiser! episode.Link mentioned in today's episode >&...

In this episode, we are diving into two inspiring and creative cultivation stories from my experience as a major gift officer. Join us as we explore the lessons learned and the power of personalized connections in cultivating lasting donor rela...

Director of Development Reports | Free Downloadhttp://reports.heyfundraiser.com/http://reports.heyfundraiser.com/...

In today's podcast episode, we're gonna look at how super successful major gift officers spend their time. For the last seven years, I've been studying 32 development departments across the US and the results of this study might shock you!<...

In this episode, we're unveiling six powerful strategies that will revolutionize the way you curate your major gift portfolio for maximum impact. Learn More→

DownloadsSample Proposal & 50 Ways to Engage Donorshttp://proposal.heyfundraiser.com/ In this episode, I am sharing my one-ask fu...

Downloads15 Questions to Askhttp://cultivation.heyfundraiser.com/Moves Management Stageshttp://moves.heyfu...

In this episode, I will discuss the common practice among nonprofits requiring a minimum donation from board members. Depending on the organization, this requirement can range from $1,000 to $10,000. However, I'm here to challenge this traditio...

A happy fundraiser is more likely to go the extra mile and be successful in their efforts, which is why it's crucial to empower them and make sure they feel supported. In this podcast episode, we'll discuss six tips to help you keep your fundra...

In this episode I want to talk to you about asking for major gifts and handling those pesky objections that come up. Every fundraiser gets nervous before asking for a major gift because it puts you in a very vulnerable place. Like, what if the ...

Creating Your Board | Download Free Guidehttps://board.heyfundraiser.comIn today's episode we will discuss engaging other individuals from your organization in the fundraising proc...

Creating Your Board | Download Free Guidehttps://board.heyfundraiser.comIn today's episode we will discuss engaging other individuals from your organization in the fundraising proc...

Events are an important part of engagement for donors and prospects, and you can strategically use them to springboard your cultivation efforts. Events can run the gamut – you’ve got huge fundraising galas to small, intimate house parties and e...

Download Our Best Questions for Your First Prospect Meetinghttp://cultivation.heyfundraiser.com/The first meeting with a prospect is a big deal. It’s your chance to make a...