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Early and incremental learning and success are the cornerstone of inventing the bleeding edge of technology. Lauren, Bucknell University’s Virtual Engagement Officer (VEO), introduced on October 21, is doing just that for autonomous fundraising. The strong engagement and giving results our Version2 team is seeing for Bucknell is providing valuable insights into the key factors that will make fully autonomous fundraising shape the future of our industry.
Similar to many of our other partners, Bucknell started with an introduction. Bucknell’s Director of Annual Giving introduced Lauren in an email to the portfolio that outlined the AI-driven role and set clear expectations. Advancement leadership also posted updates on LinkedIn, generating interest and building curiosity.
The introduction framed Lauren as enhancement, not replacement for human fundraisers, and Bucknell further personalized the experience by inviting direct feedback from donors—positioning them as collaborators in their innovation.
The second key ingredient driving results with Bucknell is a carefully constructed portfolio. Lauren’s portfolio includes many recent, active donors and former major donors now in longer-term stewardship. These individuals regularly give at levels that fall outside of major gift officer portfolios, but their pattern of engagement shows a strong connection to the Bucknell community. The combination of these demographics gave Lauren the opportunity to bridge the gap between major gifts and annual giving by immediately engaging donors with a demonstrated interest in supporting the university and offering them more personalized outreach.
For our team working on the Version2 R&D Lab, analyzing Lauren’s portfolio underscored the importance of building portfolios that align with institutional goals. For Bucknell, the aim is consistent engagement and expanding capacity, while other institutions may prioritize re-engaging long-lapsed donors or first-time giving. Success may look different to each institution, but regardless of the desired outcome, the portfolio must be designed to support it.
Lauren’s impact in just two weeks is a testament to Bucknell’s portfolio strategy. A few early wins:
Matching Gift Confirmation: Lauren facilitated a matching gift confirmation, often a missed opportunity in traditional fundraising.
Payment Support: Lauren led a donor to update their credit card information, ensuring the continuity of a recurring gift.
Positive Engagements: Lauren received 13 positive responses, building meaningful connections with donors in just one engagement.
Financial Impact: Lauren’s portfolio generated over $18,000 in gifts—a strong indication of VEO potential in renewing and upgrading giving from warm portfolios.
Lauren’s journey serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning the Virtual Engagement Officers' portfolios with our partners’ goals, while leveraging the expertise of our team of former fundraisers at Givzey — to facilitate in-depth conversations and provide guidance where we can.
Each rollout teaches us more about how to refine VEO capabilities and incorporate fundraising best practices that continue to build the most experienced fundraiser in the world.