Use this tool combination for more scalable donor engagement

If your team is trying to build stronger donor relationships while also juggling multiple campaigns, rising expectations and shrinking bandwidth, you’re not alone.

The good news? There’s a smarter, more sustainable way of hitting your goals without hitting your breaking point. 

Advancement teams are seeing real results amidst a changing philanthropy landscape by pairing AI-powered donor outreach tools with personalized video messaging. Together, these tools help teams cut through the noise, engage more donors, and do it all faster…with less manual effort.

Here’s how this powerful combination works together, and why it’s gaining momentum with agile fundraising teams.

Why this combination works

AI and video may sound like separate strategies, but they’re even more effective when used together.

AI makes your outreach smarter…

With AI-powered donor engagement tools, your team can identify the best donors to engage and get prompted to reach out at the right time, with the right message. AI cuts through the massive onslaught of data in your CRM to notify you of hidden gems, so you’re no longer guessing at who to reach out to or what will resonate.

…And video makes it sticky

Your donor outreach is only as strong as the message. Surprising but true: People retain 95% of what they watch versus just 10% of what they read. With automated and personalized video messaging, you can record and send videos that feel human, authentic, and meaningful, whether it’s one-to-one or one-to-many.

This isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about scaling the personal connection that drives giving, while freeing your team to focus on the moments that matter most.

Personal doesn’t have to mean time-consuming

If your team hears “personalized outreach” and immediately thinks, we don’t have time for that, you’re not alone. But the right tools change that equation.

With AI guiding who to engage and when, and video helping you scale what used to be one-to-one conversations, you can deliver meaningful touchpoints in minutes. And it doesn’t have to be individual videos every time.

Consider using video messaging in two ways:

1. One-to-one: A personal video message for a major gift prospect or new donor.
2. One-to-many: A single video sent to a whole segment—like LYBUNTs, recent event attendees, or annual fund donors.

Some fundraising video platforms even let you include call-to-action buttons like “Make a gift,” “RSVP” or “See our annual report” to keep the conversation going.

Where advancement teams are seeing success: 6 use cases of AI + video for donor engagement

This strategy is already changing the way advancement teams operate. By combining AI-driven donor prioritization with scalable, authentic video outreach, institutions are finding smarter, more effective ways to connect.

Here are some real-world use cases you can use today to drive meaningful results:

1. Follow-up that actually gets noticed

Whether it’s after a mailed appeal, phone call, or email, personalized video gives your outreach staying power. Instead of another templated message, donors receive a face, a voice, and a thank-you that feels sincere. And with AI helping you decide who to follow up with and when, you’re not wasting effort.

2. Campaign updates that feel personal—at scale

Planning a capital campaign or annual giving push? Advancement teams are using video to update donors on campaign progress, share behind-the-scenes stories, or celebrate milestones. You can send one personalized video to a top prospect—or one video to hundreds, with a tailored call to action based on giving history.

3. Introduce new leadership or gift officers

New advancement staff? Use video to break the ice. A quick intro from a new major gift officer or dean creates familiarity and makes future conversations feel more natural. Bonus points for adding a calendar link to encourage meetings.

4. Celebrating donor milestones

Birthdays. Giving anniversaries. First-time gifts. Retirement. These are moments that build emotional connection. And with AI tracking donor behavior and milestones, it’s easy to automate reminders and queue up a quick video message that leaves a lasting impression.

5. Reactivating lapsed donors

Need to bring LYBUNTs or SYBUNTs back into the fold? AI can identify lapsed donors with high affinity scores—those most likely to give again. Then, a personalized video or segmented thank-you reel can serve as a warm, genuine re-engagement touchpoint that stands out in a crowded inbox.

6. Boosting participation in surveys and events

Video isn’t just for stewardship. Many teams are embedding donor surveys, event invites, or giving forms right into their messages—using CTAs below the video to drive action. It’s a subtle but powerful way to improve click-throughs and keep constituents connected beyond a single gift.

Set your donor engagement strategy up for scalable success with AI + video

Goals are more aggressive and donors are expecting hyper-personalized experiences. The most successful advancement teams are working smarter, not harder, to address these needs. By using AI to guide your outreach and video to deepen the connection, you’re able to engage more donors in more meaningful ways without overwhelming your staff.

Gravyty is your solution to scale engagement while reinforcing the authentic, human connection that brings donors into your mission in the first place. Interested in how it can work for you? Learn more here.