Autonomous Fundraising: Expanding the Surface Area of Luck

Givzey and Version2 have been working with our amazing Innovation Partners to explore the many applications of Autonomous Fundraising. What we’re discovering is both mind-blowing and, in hindsight, not surprising. And it can be explained through a concept called the surface area of luck.

The surface area of luck is the idea that luck isn’t entirely random - it’s influenced by how many opportunities we create for it to strike. In fundraising, major gift officers apply this principle by cultivating deep relationships through frequent and varied interactions with high-value donors, increasing the chances of meaningful engagements and transformative gifts. But what about the rest of the donor pool - those who receive only a handful of generic mailings each year?

This is where Autonomous Fundraising truly changes the game. 

Version2’s Virtual Engagement Officers (VEOs) have demonstrated that they dramatically expand the surface area of luck by increasing both the number of donors engaged and the frequency and quality of interactions. The level of personalization a VEO applies ensures that more donors receive meaningful touchpoints tailored to their interests and preferences. Whenever appropriate, these touchpoints also include more than one ask, breaking the traditional paradigm that would mean we miss the opportunity to expand the surface area of luck with these donors.

Beyond simply asking for donations, Autonomous Fundraising broadens engagement by inviting donors to contribute in multiple ways through time, talent, or treasure.

Here are a few real examples from Virtual Engagement Officers: 

Autonomous Fundraising: The Surface Area of Luck

Expanding the surface area of luck in fundraising isn’t just about more outreach—it’s about more meaningful outreach. Autonomous Fundraising empowers organizations to scale donor engagement while keeping interactions personal and thoughtful. By handling these small but impactful moments, whether a personal invitation to a tailgate or a handwritten note, organizations can cultivate thousands of donors with the same warmth and care traditionally reserved for major donors.

This shift isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about deepening connections and increasing generosity. In doing so, we’re not just using AI to do more - we’re using it to create more good.