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Why Donors Say No: The 5 Real Reasons (And the Fix for Each)

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0:00 | 19:54

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 five key reasons why donors say no, including lack of clarity, misalignment of values, timing issues, decision-making dynamics, and the nature of the ask itself. She provides actionable strategies for fundraisers to address these concerns and turn potential rejections into opportunities for engagement and understanding.

#fundraising #nonprofit #fundraising strategies #fundraising success

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 books — check out the books that will elevate your major gift fundraising.
👩🏻‍💻 Want my complete packaging + ask system? Watch the Momentum Training.


💻 Connect with Mary Petersen