Guidance for Responding to Donor Concerns About AI and the VEO

This article provides organizations with suggested language and talking points for responding to donors who have questions or concerns about AI, the Virtual Engagement Officer (VEO), and related topics such as data privacy, ethics, and environmental impact.

These examples are intended as adaptable templates. Teams should modify language to reflect their organization's voice and donor relationships.

How should donor concerns about AI be approached?

Acknowledge concerns directly
Reinforce that the VEO supports—not replaces—human relationships
Emphasize thoughtful, ethical adoption of technology
Keep responses clear, factual, and non-defensive

Sample Donor Response Templates

The following templates can be adapted based on the donor's concern and your organization's voice.

1. Donor Skeptical About Technology Investment

Hi [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns so candidly. I understand that new technology can raise important questions, especially if you've seen systems in the past that overpromised and underdelivered. I'm glad to answer your questions directly.

First, thank you for your support. We are committed to using every tool in a way that respects donor trust and enhances—not replaces—human connection.

Here's a clear overview:

Why we are using this tool

The Virtual Engagement Officer is designed to handle routine outreach and answer simple questions so our staff can spend more time in one-on-one conversations with donors.

How it is funded

This pilot is supported by dedicated funding designated specifically for responsible exploration of engagement tools. Regular annual and programmatic dollars are not being used to operate the system.

What the VEO actually does

Shares approved information using our own web pages and content
Personalizes messages based on donor data we provide
Operates within safeguards and approval controls

The VEO does not:

Strategize independently
Make decisions
Replace human stewardship
Access outside data or systems

How data is handled

Version2 stores donor data on encrypted, access-controlled servers. Donor information is not used to train external AI models, and interactions remain reviewable by internal staff.

I would be happy to discuss this more—either by phone or email—so we can ensure you have full clarity and confidence in how we are approaching this pilot.

Warm regards,

[Sender Name]

2. Donor Concerned About AI Ethics or Environmental Impact

Hi [Name],

Thank you for reaching out and for voicing your concerns so thoughtfully. These are important topics, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond clearly.

Here are the key points:

Data & Training

The VEO uses:

Organizational content (such as websites and event pages)
Limited donor data provided by the institution

Version2 does not use donor data to train external AI models.

Environmental impact

The VEO uses relatively lightweight infrastructure compared to many large-scale AI systems. In some cases, digital outreach can replace activities with a larger footprint, such as travel or printed materials.

Why we are piloting this

The goal is not to automate donor relationships, but to provide timely, relevant communication so staff can spend more time in direct, meaningful conversations.

If you prefer not to receive VEO communications, please let me know and we will honor that preference.

Thank you again for sharing your perspective.

Warm regards,

[Sender Name]

Key Talking Points You Can Incorporate

General Positioning on AI

Thoughtful adoption of technology as the landscape evolves
Working with partners aligned with ethical AI practices, like Version2
Using AI to support, not replace, human relationships

Environmental Impact

The VEO is purpose-built for fundraising, enabling more efficient use of technology
Version2 serves nonprofits and educational institutions addressing societal challenges
AI is increasingly used to support climate-related solutions
Efficiency continues to improve as the technology evolves

For more information on this, please see our article on VEO Sustainability and Environmental Impact.

SMS outreach follows federal compliance guidelines
Donors can manage communication preferences, including opting out
Some organizations choose to clearly communicate opt-out options on their VEO landing page

For more information on this, please see our article regarding SMS Outreach and Compliance.

For questions or help, please email version2support@givzey.com.