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AI in Advancement: Insights from the Podcast
Fundraising is changing—fast. Organizations that once relied on traditional engagement strategies are now turning to AI-driven solutions to connect with more donors, more effectively. In Dam Giroux’s launch episode of the Advancement Amplified: Pulse Check Series podcast, Matthew Lambert (William & Mary) and Dan Frezza (College of Charleston) shared their experiences with AI-powered Autonomous Fundraising and what it means for the future of advancement.
"We've proven the concept that it's working, that these autonomous fundraisers are raising money, they are creating connections, they are stewarding donors, and that's fascinating. And we're proceeding in a thoughtful, careful manner to make sure that we do this well, we do this right, and we are doing it in a way that augments our team." — Matthew Lambert, William & Mary
Version2 is pioneering this transformation by deploying Virtual Engagement Officers (VEOs)—AI-powered fundraisers designed to scale personal donor engagement, bridging the gap between human fundraisers and automation.
The Advancement Capacity Crisis
One of the biggest themes from the podcast? The impossible math of donor engagement. With limited staff and thousands of potential donors to engage, traditional fundraising models can’t keep up.
"Last year at William & Mary, we had about 31,000 donors and about 10,000 of those are managed by a major gift officer in some form or fashion. That means there are a lot of people that are getting relatively little personal touch." — Matthew Lambert, William & Mary
Advancement leaders face a growing challenge: donor bases continue to expand, but fundraising teams remain limited in size and capacity. Hiring more staff isn't a scalable solution, especially when engagement expectations are higher than ever. Virtual Engagement Officers (VEOs) offer a breakthrough alternative—autonomously managing thousands of donor relationships while maintaining the personal touch that fuels long-term philanthropy. With AI-driven engagement, organizations can extend their reach, ensuring that every donor feels valued without overburdening fundraising teams.
What is Autonomous Fundraising? A Game-Changer for Donor Engagement
One of the biggest shifts happening in advancement is the rise of Virtual Engagement Officers (VEOs)—AI-powered fundraisers that don’t just automate messages but engage donors in authentic conversations.
"The transformation, and I don't use that word lightly, but the transformation here is that we've been able to develop autonomous fundraising partners, we call them VEOs, the virtual engagement officers that are managing a portfolio of donors, of potential donors and reaching out to them one-to-one, just as you or I might reach out one-to-one." — Matthew Lambert, William & Mary
How VEOs Work:
Version2’s Virtual Engagement Officers (VEOs) operate as an extension of fundraising teams, ensuring that donor engagement remains both personal and scalable. These AI-powered fundraisers identify and qualify donors at scale, using data-driven insights to determine the right outreach approach. Once engaged, VEOs facilitate personalized, AI-driven conversations tailored to each donor's interests and history. They solicit gifts naturally within the engagement journey, ensuring that asks feel timely and relevant. Beyond securing donations, VEOs play a crucial role in stewarding donors post-gift, maintaining relationships and fostering long-term philanthropic commitment.
The Future of Advancement: Will You Lead or Lag Behind?
The institutions leading this change aren’t just adopting new technology; they’re redefining how fundraising works. AI-powered Virtual Engagement Officers are extending the reach of advancement teams, ensuring that every donor—regardless of their giving level—feels seen, valued, and engaged.
"...In addition to the ability for these autonomous agents to genuinely connect with people, listen to people, adapt based on what the person is asking them or what they're requesting, it is stirring up a lot of the content that our marketing communications teams have created over decades." — Matthew Lambert, William & Mary
The question isn’t whether AI has a place in fundraising—it’s whether your institution will be ahead of the curve or struggling to catch up.
Want to hear more? Listen to the full podcast episode.
Ready to see autonomous fundraising in action? Schedule a demo today.