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’t hit that $100K mark yet, this episode will give you the step-by-step framework to find the right donor, cultivate the relationship, make a powerful ask, and steward the gift for future giving.
And hey—if you’ve already closed a six-figure gift, stick around! You’ll relive the glory of your first “YES” and pick up tips to help you land your next one even faster. 🚀
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✅ How to find the right donor—no more chasing whales!
✅ Why high affinity + high capacity = your ideal six-figure prospect
✅ The #1 mistake that keeps fundraisers from making big asks
✅ How to cultivate with purpose (so you’re always moving toward the ask)
✅ The permission-based fundraising strategy that guarantees you’re asking at the right time
✅ What to do after the donor says YES to keep them engaged for future gifts
Key Takeaways:
🛠 Step 1: Find the Right Prospect
⏳ Step 2: Make Time to Fundraise
📣 Step 3: Have a Strong Case for Support
💡 Step 4: Cultivate with Purpose
🤝 Step 5: Get Permission to Ask
💰 Step 6: Make the Ask
🎉 Step 7: Steward the Gift Like a Pro
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 book — grab the framework and major gift ask scripts.
🎥 Momentum Webinar — learn the core strategy in one sitting.
💻 Connect with Mary Petersen
