The Future of Fundraising

Welcome to the Future of Fundraising. 

The Virtual Engagement Officer is still less than 6 months into engagement with its very first donors, but in those short few months, Version2 has gathered thousands of data points that allow us to better understand the impact of Autonomous Fundraising. My team has begun to analyze this data and the first question we set out to answer was: How is donor behavior shifting? Are donors giving more? Are current donors renewing? And most importantly, are lapsed donors reactivating?

The results are in, and they reveal a significant transformation:

• 15% of the donors who have given under VEO management were SYBUNTs and lapsed, already well ahead of the 5-10% industry average of recapturing lapsed donors, proving that the right engagement strategy can bring donors back.
• 21% of total giving, over $100k, are gifts coming from these re-engaged lapsed donors, highlighting a renewed commitment.
• 30% of donors have increased their giving since working with the VEO. This increase alone totals over $151k in gifts to our Innovation Partner organizations.

The fact that 15% of donors and 20% of gifts are coming from re-engaged lapsed donors is more than just a statistic—it’s proof that autonomous fundraising can combat the industry-wide trend of relying on fewer donors each year. Past supporters are ready to reconnect if given the right opportunity. Bringing donors back into a cycle of regular engagement both restores their giving status and re-establishes their long-term commitment to the organization. This is particularly important with donors who have the capacity for future major giving. It directly impacts their lifetime value and warms them for future major gift conversations.

These numbers make one thing clear: digital labor is redefining the future of fundraising. By leveraging AI-powered engagement, automation, and data-driven strategies, we are transforming how we manage donor relationships, build pipeline, and ensure lasting donor connectivity. Fundraising teams now have a path to scale outreach, personalize interactions at unprecedented levels, and drive meaningful engagement—without increasing the human workload.

We are just getting started. If you’re considering strategies for SYBUNTs and lapsed donor engagement, my team and I welcome the opportunity to connect with you to learn more, and stay tuned as we continue to analyze and share more insights into the data in the coming week.

Autonomous Fundraising Progress Update

Autonomous Fundraising is revolutionizing donor engagement by showcasing the real-world impact of digital labor cross the advancement sector. As we expand fundraising capacity through AI-powered Virtual Engagement Officers, the impact grows increasingly significant.

To date, the Autonomous Fundraiser has now:

• Successfully secured $520,226 in contributions
• Facilitated 3,265 meaningful donor conversations (aligned with CASE standards)
• Executed 48,000+ strategic donor engagement activities
• Seamlessly coordinated 115 transitions to human fundraising professionals

By combining digital labor with trusted fundraising expertise, we're expanding the possibilities for meaningful donor engagement.

Track our live progress and latest metrics here.

[PODCAST] The State of AI in Advancement Today

AI is transforming institutional advancement, helping teams personalize outreach and optimize donor engagement. In this session, Dan Giroux sits down with Matthew Lambert, Senior Vice President for University Advancement at William & Mary, and Dan Frezza, Chief Advancement Officer at the College of Charleston, to explore how AI-powered Virtual Engagement Officers (VEOs) are enhancing fundraising strategies.

William & Mary’s VEO, “Wren,” and the College of Charleston’s VEO, “Alex,” are already fostering meaningful donor relationships, driving engagement, and increasing giving. As AI adoption grows, institutions are learning how to integrate these tools while maintaining the human connection that is central to fundraising success.

"We’ve proven the concept that it’s working, that these autonomous fundraisers are raising money, creating connections, and stewarding donors," says Matthew Lambert. "It’s fascinating, and we’re proceeding in a thoughtful, careful manner to make sure we do this well and right, augmenting our team."

Tune in to hear how AI is shaping the future of advancement and how institutions are navigating both the opportunities and challenges that come with it.

(LISTEN NOW)

[WEBINAR] Sustainable Fundraising Beyond Staff Shortages: How Autonomous AI Solves Todays Labor Crisis

Thursday, March 6 at 2:00 PM ET

Fundraising teams are facing a threefold crisis: tight budgets, a shortage of qualified talent, and ongoing staff retention challenges. Even when you find great fundraisers, there's a limit to how many donor relationships they can manage.

Join Reilly Conroy of Version2.ai for a 20-minute webinar on how AI-powered autonomous fundraising is transforming donor management. Learn how nonprofits, healthcare, and education institutions are overcoming capacity limitations—without adding headcount.

(Save your spot today and future-proof your fundraising team!)

The Hidden Cost of Donor Neglect: Why Personal Attention Matters More Than Ever

Nonprofits are facing an impossible challenge—keeping every donor engaged with limited resources. With fundraising teams stretched thin, many donor relationships quietly slip away. But what if you could provide personal attention to every donor without adding to your staff workload?

What if donor engagement didn’t have to be a trade-off? Imagine reaching every supporter in a meaningful way—without stretching your team even thinner.

In our latest blog, we explore how AI-powered Virtual Engagement Officers (VEOs) are transforming donor stewardship. Discover how organizations are scaling personalized outreach, increasing donor retention, and unlocking new giving potential—ensuring no donor feels forgotten.

(KEEP READING)

Meet Version2 at CASE District VII

We're excited to be a gold sponsor at this year's CASE District VII Conference in San Francisco. If you’re attending, we’d love to connect! Meet Renee Quinn at our booth and learn how our autonomous fundraising solutions help combat staffing shortages by adding trusted AI-powered digital labor to your fundraising team.

Plus, join the team Today, March 2nd at 5:45 PM PT for an informal cocktail hour where you can network and dive deeper into these innovations. Get the details and RSVP below!

(RSVP)

Meet Version2 at NEAHP

We're thrilled to be a gold sponsor at this year's NEAHP (New England Association for Healthcare Philanthropy) Conference in Cape Cod. If you’ll be attending, drop by our booth to meet Reilly Conroy and see how autonomous fundraising is addressing the fundraiser shortage by adding trusted digital labor to compliment frontline fundraising teams.

Plus, join us Tomorrow, March 3rd from 5-6 PM ET for an informal VIP cocktail reception to continue the conversation, network, and learn more. RSVP and get more details below!

(RSVP)

Fundraising Jobs

Our featured jobs always come from our amazing subscribers. If you have jobs you would like posted in the Future of Fundraising newsletter, please email hello@givzey.com with your requests.

• Director, Annual Giving and Engagement $150,000 -$165,000 | Parkland Health and Hospital System | Dallas, TX | APPLY>>>
• Philanthropic Advisor $100,000 -$110,000 | Parkland Health and Hospital System | Dallas, TX | APPLY>>>
• Annual Giving Officer $70,000 - $80,000 | Parkland Health and Hospital System | Dallas, TX | APPLY>>>
• Associate Chief Development Officer - Major Gifts | Houston Methodist | Houston, TX | APPLY>>>
• Associate Chief Development Officer - Planned Giving | Houston Methodist | Houston, TX | APPLY>>>
• Senior Director of Development - Corporate and Foundation Relations | Houston Methodist | Houston, TX | APPLY>>>