What to Say When Major Donors Say 'I Need to Think About It' episode artwork

EPISODE · May 29, 2026 · 13 MIN

What to Say When Major Donors Say 'I Need to Think About It'

from Hey Fundraiser! · host Mary Petersen

Mary teaches from What to Say and her 25+ years of major gift experience on the single most common response to a major gift ask. This episode breaks down the in-the-moment response, the 48-hour follow-up, how to create structure without pressure, and the difference between 'thinking about it' and a quiet no.She also covers the 4 most common objections in her book: 'I need to think about it,' 'This is too much money,' 'I'm not interested,' and 'I want to talk to my spouse.' Full language for each.Get What to Say at heyfundraiser.com — it's your word-for-word playbook for every major gift conversation. Share this episode with your entire development team. 🪑 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 PetersenWebsite: heyfundraiser.comYouTube: @heyfundraisersInstagram: @heyfundraiserLinkedIn: ...

Mary teaches from What to Say and her 25+ years of major gift experience on the single most common response to a major gift ask. This episode breaks down the in-the-moment response, the 48-hour follow-up, how to create structure without pressure, and the difference between 'thinking about it' and a quiet no. She also covers the 4 most common objections in her book: 'I need to think about it,' 'This is too much money,' 'I'm not interested,' and 'I want to talk to my spouse.' Full language for...

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What to Say When Major Donors Say 'I Need to Think About It'

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This episode was published on May 29, 2026.

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Mary teaches from What to Say and her 25+ years of major gift experience on the single most common response to a major gift ask. This episode breaks down the in-the-moment response, the 48-hour follow-up, how to create structure without pressure,...

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