Hey Fundraiser! Podcast

    Scripts, strategy, and the shorter path to major gifts.

    Hosted by Mary Petersen, a major gift practitioner with 25+ years in the trenches. No theory, no fluff. Every episode gives you one practical move you can use this week.

    Latest Episodes

    Sep 18, 2026

    If I Had to Build a Major Gift Program From Scratch, Here’s Exactly What I’d Do

    If Mary walked into a nonprofit tomorrow and had one year to build a major gift program from scratch, what would she do first, what would she ignore, and where would she spend her time? In this episode of Hey Fundraiser!, Mary breaks down the seven ...

    Sep 11, 2026

    How to Inspire Unrestricted Major Gifts and Build Donor Trust

    Why do donors happily fund programs but hesitate to fund the people, systems, and infrastructure that make those programs possible? In this episode of Hey Fundraiser!, Mary breaks down how to inspire more unrestricted major gifts by building deeper ...

    Sep 04, 2026

    5 Questions I Get As a Major Gift Coach

    How many times can you follow up with a donor before you become annoying? How do you actually know when it’s time to ask? What happens if you ask for too much? Do you need a polished proposal before you ever talk about money? And where do you even b...

    Aug 28, 2026

    Fundraisers: It’s Time to Make an Ask for Yourself

    What if the professional development line in your budget isn’t an expense, but one of the smartest revenue investments your organization can make? In this episode, Mary shares what happened when 15 Executive Directors and fundraisers gathered at her...

    Aug 21, 2026

    Why Your Best Fundraiser Is About to Quit (And How to Stop It)

    Your best gift officer is going to get a recruiter's call this quarter. What happens next was decided by how you led this quarter.This week I'm sharing a session I delivered for nonprofit leaders at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management on the...

    Aug 14, 2026

    Red Flags: How to Spot the Wrong Fundraising Help Before You Pay For It

      Should you hire a fundraising coach or a consultant? Most fundraisers pay for the wrong one. In this episode, Mary breaks down the real difference: a consultant hands you the plan, but a coach gets in the car with you. You'll hear the story of Ann...

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