The Future of Advancement Services: AI, Insights, and Impact-Slides: Part One: From Legacy to Leading Edge: The Future of Advancement Operations

Slides: Part One: From Legacy to Leading Edge: The Future of Advancement Operations

Pdf Summary

This document, presented by Mark Koenig of the Oregon State University Foundation (OSUF), addresses the future of Advancement Services in educational fundraising and support, with a focus on technology, AI, and innovation.<br /><br />OSUF, a nonprofit partner to Oregon State University, supports fundraising and alumni engagement with a $1 billion endowment and a $1.75 billion campaign goal. The current Advancement Services model, rooted in legacy systems and outdated technology, faces challenges including underfunding, technical debt, siloed data, and insufficient AI strategy. The nonprofit sector generally lacks clear AI policies—76% have no AI strategy, and many rely on few staff or no outsourcing for AI/ML initiatives.<br /><br />Koenig emphasizes that data is the organization’s lifeblood and must be treated as a strategic asset, requiring investment in people, processes, and tools. OSUF revamped its Technology and Innovation Division, flattening structures, prioritizing analytics, pipeline development, automation, and digital transformation, and promoting staff professional development. Realignment includes phased implementation, outsourcing certain functions, and fostering deeper analytic capabilities beyond traditional research.<br /><br />The foundation’s AI journey, beginning in 2016, evolved through partnerships, data cleanup, predictive models, automation, and personalization at scale by 2026. AI adoption is framed as an ongoing journey requiring disciplined data work, iterative development, change management, and broad skill-building across the organization. OSUF integrates AI tools like predictive analytics, automation, personalized communications, and generative AI agents to enhance fundraising and engagement.<br /><br />Key innovation lessons include the need for structural readiness to innovate, comprehensive strategic planning aligned with organizational goals, formation of cross-functional innovation councils, and leadership commitment. The document underscores that innovation is collective, requiring smart investment and executive sponsorship, urging organizations to define their own technology and innovation strategies to thrive in a changing advancement landscape.

Keywords

Advancement Services

Oregon State University Foundation

Educational Fundraising

Artificial Intelligence

Technology Innovation

Data Strategy

Automation

Predictive Analytics

Digital Transformation

Nonprofit Sector