How to overlay a custom gradient across multiple paths?

[Alyssa5CFD]

I'm trying to get the custom gradient on the top path into the letters below.

I tried using the clipping mask but all I get is this:

Any help? I just need the gradient to show up on the text ONLY.

[Nancy OShea]

[Moderator moved from Using the Community (forums) to Illustrator.]

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

I prepared a background object as shown below.

Text was an outlined group filled with black. I had to ungroup the outlined text and make it a compound path.

Selected both the compound path and the background and used Object > Clipping path > Make

[Alyssa5CFD]

SUCCES! Thank you so much! I made a group with the gradient and a maroon rectangle behind then did the clipping mask. Thank you again!

[Ton Frederiks]

Good to hear that helped.