97.5% of every institution’s donors sit outside of managed portfolios, receiving only direct mail and mass marketing. Over the years, we’ve seen rising numbers of lapsed donors, weaker pipelines, and new challenges as we work to earn donor attention each year. There’s an inherent link between all of this.
In this panel, Cleveland State University Foundation and Macalester College share how they embraced Autonomous Fundraising to expand one-to-one donor engagement at scale. Both institutions saw an opportunity to reach under-engaged segments and reimagine advancement strategy by deploying Virtual Engagement Officers (VEOs), AI-powered teammates trained in strategic moves management.
At Cleveland State University Foundation, the VEO is a member of the fundraising team that engages and renews lapsed donors, while cultivating LYBUNTS and non-donors within its portfolio. The focus is on re-engagement, participation, and long-term relationship building that leads to the natural outcome of giving.
At Macalester College, the VEO is a fundraiser that strategically engages approximately 1,000 unassigned alumni and friends. The goals are to retain or grow giving from consistent donors, reactivate lapsed or inconsistent donors, and boost alumni engagement—specifically targeting a one-point increase in the CASE engagement score.
Together, panelists will share early outcomes of their autonomous AI fundraisers, lessons learned, and the ROI of integrating Autonomous Fundraising alongside traditional strategies, expanding capacity and strengthening their pipelines.