Hey Fundraiser!
Welcome to Hey Fundraiser, the podcast for nonprofit Executive Directors and major gift officers who are done guessing.
Each week, host Mary Petersen pulls back the curtain on what actually works in major gifts. Not theory. Not whiteboard frameworks. Real scripts, real strategy, and the exact moves you can use in your next donor meeting. Mary spent 25+ years as a working major gift officer and built a methodology that closes 5 and 6-figure gifts in months, not years, by going deep with a focused portfolio instead of chasing volume.
If you've ever frozen up before an ask, stared at a "wish list" of donors with no idea who to call first, or wondered why the industry keeps telling you a major gift takes 18 months to close, this is your show.
You'll leave every episode with one clear thing to do on Monday morning. Hit follow and start building real momentum.
Hey Fundraiser!
Building Your Major Gift Plan for a New Fiscal Year
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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, we break down how to approach your annual fundraising goals with clarity, strategy, and confidence. You’ll learn:
- How to divide your big fundraising goal into actionable quarterly milestones.
- The importance of maintaining a prospect list full of ready-to-close donors.
- How to build work-back plans for each prospect to keep you on track.
- How to account for life’s distractions, from gala season to vacation time.
- Why quarterly reviews are critical to staying proactive and hitting your targets.
Whether your fiscal year aligns with the calendar or not, this episode is packed with tips and tricks to help you tackle your goals head-on and stay flexible as life happens.
Resources Mentioned:
Got a big fundraising goal for 2025? Let’s tackle it together! Listen to the full episode, and don’t forget to share this podcast with a fellow fundraiser who could use a motivational boost.
Major Donor Meeting Mastery:
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
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🪑 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: ...