Hey Fundraiser! – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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: mary@heyfundraiser.com

→ Join The Fundraising Collective

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

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary

🪑 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: ...

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 

🪑 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: ...

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!

Study Download
http://trends.heyfundraiser.com/

 Episode 15—Six Ways for Fundraisers to Have the Best Major Gift Portfolio
https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2501003/episodes/17139186-6-ways-for-fundraisers-to-have-the-best-major-gift-portfolio

 Learn More

→ Join The Fundraising Collective 

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

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary

🪑 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: ...

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

→ Join The Fundraising Collective 

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

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary

🪑 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: ...

Downloads
Sample Proposal & 50 Ways to Engage Donors
http://proposal.heyfundraiser.com/

 In this episode, I am sharing my one-ask fundraising strategy that will allow you to solicit your donors once and thank them for 364 days.

 Learn More

→ Join The Fundraising Collective 

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

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary

🪑 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: ...

Downloads
15 Questions to Ask
http://cultivation.heyfundraiser.com/

Moves Management Stages
http://moves.heyfundraiser.com/

In this episode, we are going deep into mastering moves management. Moves management is the framework and process of identifying prospects, building relationships with them, soliciting them, and properly thanking them for their investment in your organization. 

  Learn More

→ Join The Fundraising Collective 

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

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary

🪑 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: ...

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 tradition and urge you that it's time to ditch the board minimum. You might be surprised by this suggestion, or you have completely fallen out of your chair! Tune in for a fresh strategic perspective on board giving.

 Learn More

→ Join The Fundraising Collective 

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

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary

🪑 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: ...

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 fundraisers happy, motivated, and feeling supported throughout their fundraising journey—because happy fundraisers raise more money!

 Download the 6 Keys to a Sustainable, Thriving Fundraising Program

 Learn More

→ Join The Fundraising Collective 

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

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary

🪑 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: ...

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 prospect says no? In this episode, I will share 3 questions to ask a teetering prospect that will turn a “no” into a “maybe” and a “maybe” into a “yes!”

A sneak peek of Asking: By Jerold Panas

 Learn More

→ Join The Fundraising Collective 

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

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary

🪑 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: ...

Creating Your Board | Download Free Guide
https://board.heyfundraiser.com

In today's episode we will discuss engaging other individuals from your organization in the fundraising process. Your program staff and leadership are all essential allies in the cultivation process. Tune in for strategic ways you can utilize your leadership to maximize your fundraising efforts.

Learn More

→ Join The Fundraising Collective 

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

→ Schedule Your Free Gameplan Call with Mary

🪑 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: ...