In this episode, Mary Petersen discusses the common experience of receiving 'no' from donors in fundraising. She emphasizes that a 'no' often signifies a need for more information or clarity rather than a definitive rejection. Petersen outlines...

In this episode, Mary Petersen discusses the concept of permission-based fundraising, emphasizing the importance of clarity and collaboration in donor relationships. She outlines five key questions that fundraisers can use to create a natural t...

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...

In this episode of the Hey Fundraiser podcast, Mary Petersen discusses the importance of portfolio triage in fundraising. She emphasizes that the scarce resource in major gifts is the fundraiser's time and attention, not the donors themselves. ...

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 ...

I wrote a short, punchy field guide with word-for-word major gift ask scripts so you can make confident, collaborative solicitations (without the anxiety). In this video I share why I wrote it, what’s inside, and how to use it to book more meet...

In this episode of the Hey Fundraiser podcast, Mary Petersen interviews Heather Withrow, a member of the Major Gift Momentum program. Heather shares her transformative journey in fundraising, detailing her impressive successes, including securi...

In this episode, Mary Petersen tackles one of the most-asked questions in fundraising: “What exact words do I use to close a major gift?” Mary breaks down the anatomy of an effective ask—clarity, confidence, and connection—and shares ...

In this episode, Mary Petersen pulls back the curtain on the habits, mindsets, and metrics that consistently drive 5-, 6-, and 7-figure gifts. Whether you’re new to major gifts or ready to elevate your game, this episode breaks down what...

Ready to pour rocket fuel on your major gift efforts? Major Gift Momentum is the solution. Check it out here!In this episode of Hey F...

Ready to pour rocket fuel on your major gift efforts? Major Gift Momentum is the solution. Check it out here!Today we’re tackling one of the most common (and costly) mistakes...

Ready to pour rocket fuel on your major gift efforts? Major Gift Momentum is the solution. Check it out here!Welcome back, fundraiser! In this episode, we're tackling one of ...

Ready to pour rocket fuel on your major gift efforts? Major Gift Momentum is the solution. Check it out here!Do you really need to spend 18 months cultivating a dono...

Interested in Major Gift Momentum? Check it out here!Are you stuck chasing donors who never call back? Wasting your precious time on high-capacity but low-interest "prospects...

📅 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 d...

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 amoun...

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 bro...

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. ...