Celebrating My Ovrture-versary!
I can hardly believe it’s been a whole year (yay for my Ovrture-versary!) since I transitioned from enthusiastic Ovrture client to passionate team member. Ovrture — both the team and the platform — are nimble and quick, focused on creating a better way to reach major donors. It’s remarkable how far we’ve come in just 12 months.
More than anything, this year has taught me to balance agility and patience in an innovative environment by keeping our core objectives in mind. Each platform improvement has been the direct result of deep relationships with our clients, who keep dreaming up new possibilities. We are all about it, so keep them coming!
For now, let’s reflect on 2023 to see just how much has changed!
May 2023: A More Dynamic Foundation
My first six months at Ovrture were intense. We were rebuilding the platform with newer technologies — this took sharp focus and patience. From my earliest days I saw dedication, problem-solving, and collaboration at a very high level. My team valued my experience in donor relations and as an Ovrture client, and together we applied those insights directly to the platform’s workflows, interface, and functionality.
After months of effort, it was ready, and we launched our new platform in May. This set the stage for a more responsive, dynamic, and user-friendly Ovrture. Many thanks to those super users who volunteered to do some beta-testing. The feedback poured in, and we listened intently to your insights to further enhance your major donor fundraising. Our new tech stack also allows us to release enhancements at a greater pace. That’s great news because we are never short on ideas!
June 2023: Tighter Workflows
Just one month after launch, we sharpened our new filters and made it possible to edit your work in a new tab while making sure only one person could edit at a time, making your editing experience smoother than ever. Your efficiency matters, and all these updates were designed with you in mind.
July & August 2023: Storytelling without Words
Whether you’re cultivating a prospect relationship or stewarding a past gift by sharing endowment reports, some of the most important parts of donor communications are the images, videos, and multimedia experiences that bring your mission to life.
We wanted to make these easier for your team to manage, so we rolled out several asset enhancements:
- Get that perfect crop on your photo without needing to reselect it.
- Add alternate text for those in your audience who cannot see your images (meeting ADA accessibility standards).
- Embed iframe videos, surveys, audio files, etc., that are hosted outside of Ovrture right into your templates like any asset you would upload.
- An automated fund asset folder now creates a browsable library for you to see what’s already uploaded.
- Want to swap out your default images? Admins can now do this within the platform instead of needing to submit a request for our developers to do so.
September & October 2023: Leveraging Data
Connecting your data seamlessly, the Blackbaud API App is a game-changer for those who use Blackbaud CRM or Raiser’s Edge NXT, ensuring that you have the most up-to-date information at your fingertips. An integration like this (and the others we are developing!) can eliminate the need to use data uploaders.
Another powerful organizational tool is your internal data: we’ve added new fields to help you keep your team’s assignments clear within the platform.
Need a snapshot right now? We’ve got you covered with On-Demand Snapshots — no more waiting for the donor to log in. The new On-Demand and pre-existing Access Snapshots are in PDF format to make them easy to store in your CRM for internal audiences. Now anyone on your team can know which version of a report or site your donor viewed on a particular date.
November 2023: Say the Magic (Pass)word!
In November we introduced Magic Links for a secure and convenient login experience for your donors. Plus, you can allow your supporters to choose their own passcodes, adding an extra layer of personalization and security.
As I celebrate my first “Ovrture-versary,” I’m not just marking a milestone in my career but also witnessing the incredible evolution of a platform that’s dedicated to making your (and your donors’) experience exceptional. Here’s to another year of growth and collaboration, and many more exciting updates on the horizon!
Cheers to Ovrture’s journey and the fantastic community that makes it all possible. I’m on the edge of my seat, eager to see what next year will bring.