In this episode, Mary Petersen tackles one of the most-asked questions in fundraising: “What exact words do I use to close a major gift?” Mary breaks down the anatomy of an effective ask—clarity, confidence, and connection—and shares five solicitation styles with real-world language, when to use each, and why they work. You’ll learn how to time the ask using permission-based fundraising, avoid common pitfalls (like being vague or asking too soon), and tailor your approach to each donor’s style so you walk into every meeting poised, prepared, and confident. Key Takeaways Tailor your ask to the donor’s style, motivations, and relationship stage.Lead with confidence—never apologize for your ask.Don’t ask too soon; use permission-based fundraising to confirm readiness.Always include a specific dollar amount and what it funds.Acknowledge past giving to build momentum for the next gift.Silence after the ask is strategic—let it do the heavy lifting.Different donors respond to different ask styles—match the method to the person.Personalize by naming the program/outcome your donor cares about.The “What would it take?” ask unlocks collaboration and negotiation with strategic donors.Chapters 00:00 — Transforming Panic into Poise02:49 — The Art of the Ask06:12 — Common Mistakes in Fundraising09:05 — Five Powerful Solicitation Styles26:29 — Tailoring Your Approach for SuccessThe Five Solicitation Styles (with sample language) Direct Ask — best for decisive, well-briefed donors “Sarah, we’re looking for partners to fund the new Food Pharmacy. Would you consider a gift of $100,000?”Why it works: clear, concise, confident.Gratitude Ask — ideal for loyal donors stepping up “Lisa, your generosity has changed lives. We’d love to invite you to deepen your impact with a $500,000 gift for the new animal shelter.”Why it works: honors history, creates momentum.Partnership Ask — perfect for lead/anchor gifts & insiders “Tom, you’re a champion of our mission. Would you consider investing $1 million to help us scale our food bank?”Why it works: elevates the donor as a co-creator.Storytelling Ask — for heart-driven, first-time major donors “Mark, let me tell you about Maria… With $75,000, we can help 10 more families like hers in the next six months.”Why it works: connects dollarStop 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 Website: www.heyfundraiser.com YouTube: @heyfundraisers Instagram: @heyfundraiser LinkedIn: Mary Petersen Email: mary@heyfundraiser.com
