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Longwood University
Raises $279K
with Autonomous Fundraising
"Autonomous Fundraising has strengthened our philanthropic pipeline. Our Virtual Engagement Officer enables us to meet donors where they are, at scale, while maintaining authenticity and responsiveness."
— Amy Harris, Associate Vice President of Development, Longwood University
More Donors Than Staff Can Reach
Like many advancement teams, Longwood University faced a familiar capacity gap: the need to increase meaningful touchpoints across mid-level and annual giving donors without adding headcount. With limited staff bandwidth, donors with lifetime giving under $25,000 were going under-engaged — including lapsed alumni who hadn't given in years and loyal multi-year donors with strong wealth indicators. This left retention and pipeline growth at risk.
The Challenge
Longwood needed a solution that could deliver consistent, personalized outreach at scale, nurture donors between major campaigns, and enable their frontline fundraisers to focus on high-value strategy and major gift conversations.
The Solution
Longwood deployed Ellie, their Virtual Engagement Officer, to manage a portfolio of mid-level and annual donors. Ellie's portfolio was built around two clear objectives: grow the philanthropic pipeline and recapture lapsed donors who had drifted away from the institution.
The Results
Since launch, Ellie has raised $279,722 from over 800 gifts. Of that total revenue, $21K was recovered from lapsed alumni who hadn’t engaged in several years, and $60K came from donors who increased their giving as their relationships deepened through personalized engagement.
Impact By The Numbers
$279,722
Raised from VEO Ellie
$21K+
Raised from previously lapsed donors
$60K
Raised from upgraded giving
823
Gifts secured
Building Community Through Engagement
The program didn't just raise funds—it created a vibrant community. Students learned valuable skills in communication, leadership, and philanthropy while building meaningful connections with alumni and donors.
Through personalized outreach and authentic storytelling, student ambassadors were able to connect with alumni on a deeper level, sharing their own experiences and the impact of donations.
Technology That Empowers
The right tools made all the difference. An intuitive platform enabled students to track their progress, share updates, and celebrate milestones together. Real-time analytics helped coordinators provide targeted support and recognition.
Automated workflows reduced administrative burden by 60%, allowing staff to focus on mentoring students and building strategic relationships rather than managing logistics.
Creating Lasting Impact
The success extended far beyond the numbers. Students developed professional skills, formed mentorship relationships with alumni, and gained a deeper appreciation for the power of giving back.
Many student participants have gone on to become annual donors themselves, creating a sustainable cycle of engagement and philanthropy that will benefit Boston College for generations to come.
