#City College #Givzey #Virtual Engagement

City College of New York Partners with Givzey for Innovative Fundraising Engagement

The City College of New York (CCNY) has recently announced a forward-thinking partnership with Givzey | Version2.ai, enhancing how the institution engages with its alumni and stakeholders. As part of the fourth cohort of institutions collaborating with this cutting-edge autonomous fundraising technology platform, CCNY is poised to significantly improve its outreach and donor relations.

Expanding Stakeholder Engagement

Through this collaboration, CCNY will deploy a Virtual Engagement Officer (VEO), a digital solution aimed at fostering deeper connections with stakeholders like alumni and potential donors. The introduction of the VEO signifies a shift in how the College communicates, focusing on real-time engagement that allows it to share updates and achievements across campus directly with its audience. This initiative is particularly beneficial for alumni who reside outside the New York metropolitan area, whose interactions with the College have often been limited.

Traditionally, alumni contact may have been restricted to receiving newsletters and annual reports, but the VEO allows for tailored conversations, which may help guide donors who are ready for one-on-one engagement with gift officers. In the U.S. nonprofit sector, a mere fraction—between one to five percent—of donors are matched with personal gift officers, who typically manage these relationships, emphasizing the value of this new approach in deepening donor connections.

VEO Implementation and Target Engagement

The primary focus of CCNY’s VEO, whimsically named Benita (a nod to the College's mascot, Benny), will be on 1,000 alumni and supporters. This specific group includes individuals who have previously shown interest in the College, such as attendees of the