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EVERFI from Blackbaud Announces New and Updated Digital Resources and Product Features for K-12 Schools for the New School Year

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Highlights include updated financial education courses, a new health and wellness course, and new platform features for educators

CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — EVERFI® from Blackbaud®, the leader in powering social impact through education, is releasing new and updated K-12 digital resources to its learning platform, just in time for the new school year. Updates include covering important topics like developing smart money habits, the potential benefits of working with a financial advisor, the impact of stress on health and wellness, preparing for taxes, and the use of nonviolent resistance during the Civil Rights Movement.

New and updated resources for the 2024-25 school year include:

EVERFI: Financial Literacy for High School® – EVERFI’s flagship financial education resource, used by more than 786,000 students during the 2023-24 school year, teaches students how to make informed financial decisions that promote financial well-being over their lifetime. Updates for the new school year include aligning the program material to more comprehensively meet national and state financial education standards through expanded learning objectives. Additionally, the program includes bite-sized lessons that provide more flexibility for teachers when assigning content, new interactive elements for increased student engagement, and will provide greater accessibility for all learners.Marketplaces: Investing Basics™ – Sponsored in the United States and Canada by Edward Jones, Marketplaces is an introduction to investing and financial markets resource that provides students with an understanding of how markets work while building their confidence to invest toward their future goals. The resource has been updated to focus exclusively on investing, ensuring students feel confident with both the concepts and skills necessary to participate in today’s market. The resource also has additional investing content, including a brand-new lesson where students learn the potential benefits of working with a financial advisor. Additionally, increased interactivity and accessibility have been built out in this updated resource.Tax Simulation: Understanding Taxes™ – The tax simulation developed in partnership with and sponsored nationwide by Intuit for Education, was previously included within EVERFI: Financial Literacy. Educators are now able to access the tax simulation as a standalone resource, providing greater flexibility in sharing this content with students. To enhance and deepen the learning experience, several videos are featured in the resource covering topics like summarizing a 1099 form, calculating tax requirements, and paying for post-secondary education.Healthier Me: Intro to Wellness™ – The reimagined program is replacing EVERFI’s previous elementary and middle school health curricula. It includes new and improved content to align with current National Health Education Standards. By taking a whole-person approach, the learning experience focuses on overall physical, emotional, and social wellness to guide students toward making healthy choices for their whole selves. The program also features increased technical accessibility for learners using assistive technology.306: Black History – Continuing the Story™– Through a partnership with The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, EVERFI is adding a fifth lesson to the 306 program. Using a first-person narrative, the new lesson looks at the development of the philosophy of nonviolence. Learners will explore connections among the ongoing struggle for civil and human rights in India in the early 1900’s, the use of nonviolent resistance during the Civil Rights Movement, and the use of nonviolence in the present day to confront injustices.

“Our goal is to ensure that the digital resources we are designing and delivering to K-12 schools are not just cutting-edge and innovative, but that they integrate teacher feedback and are aligned with current standards,” said Alice Lee, senior vice president, K-12 implementation at EVERFI from Blackbaud. “These new and updated programs cover a range of critical topics that teachers and students alike have been asking for. We are excited to roll these updates out for the new school year and to be able to support teachers and students across the country.”

In addition to program updates, EVERFI is also rolling out new platform features for the upcoming school year. The platform updates are the direct result of educator feedback obtained during the last school year and are designed to improve functionality, flexibility, and answer calls for increased login options.

New platform features available on the teacher dashboard in the 2024-25 school year include a new Financial Literacy for High School Collection, a program lock/unlock feature for teachers, and the addition of Google Single Sign-On (SSO).

The Financial Literacy for High School Collection makes it easier for educators to provide students with a sequence of financial education content aligned to standards. The Collection is a series of resources that pair well together to more comprehensively address state and national standards and provide an enhanced, cohesive learning experience for students. The resources can be taken in whatever order is most suitable for a teacher’s classroom and learning objectives. Teachers can easily assign these complementary resources through a brand-new “+ Add All to Class” button.

The lock/unlock program feature allows educators to control what resources are visible in their Students’ Dashboards. Teachers can shift a program to “locked” to hide it from students until they are ready to teach the content. They can come back to their My Classes tab when they are ready to “unlock” the program for their students. This new feature offers educators added flexibility and is in response to educators’ requests to have more control over their student’s dashboards and to not overwhelm them with the amount of content they may be assigned to work through.

Lastly, EVERFI is rolling out Google SSO as another option for educators and students to log in during the upcoming school year. This additional login option will provide users with increased ease of access to EVERFI’s learning platform and library of courses.

“Providing teachers with an educational platform that meets their needs and is easy to use is always top of mind for us and the features we are rolling out for the 2024-25 school year are some of the most requested updates from teachers,” said Dan Grace, head of product, EVERFI from Blackbaud. “Both the Collection and lock/unlock features provide teachers greater control and flexibility when assigning programs to students and we’re excited to hear how these platform updates improve the overall experience for both teachers and students.”

About EVERFI from Blackbaud
EVERFI® from Blackbaud® (NASDAQ: BLKB) is an international technology company driving social impact through education to address the most challenging issues affecting society ranging from financial wellness to mental health to workplace conduct and other critical topics. Founded in 2008, EVERFI’s Impact-as-a-Service™ solution and digital educational content have reached more than 45 million learners globally. In 2020, the company was recognized as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company and was featured on Fortune Magazine’s Impact 20 List. The company was also named to the 2021 GSV EdTech 150, a list of the most transformative growth companies in digital learning. Blackbaud acquired EVERFI in December 2021. To learn more about EVERFI, please visit everfi.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X/Twitter @EVERFI.

Media Inquiries
Jennifer Edgerly  
EVERFI from Blackbaud
jedgerly@everfi.com

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding expected benefits of products and product features. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organization; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or upon request from Blackbaud’s investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.

 

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SOURCE Blackbaud

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2025 Consumer Texting Behavior Report: Consumers Demand SMS Notifications and Conversations

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Consumers embrace SMS Marketing like never before, with 86% opting in and expectations for instant, tailored communication soaring.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EZ Texting, the leading text marketing platform for businesses of all sizes, released the 2025 Consumer Texting Behavior Report today. Now in its fourth year, the report underscores a remarkable trend: with a staggering 98% open rate, SMS has evolved from a communication tool to the cornerstone of audience engagement, driving immediate and meaningful interactions.

EZ Texting’s 2025 Consumer Survey results reveal consumers embrace SMS marketing like never before, with 86% opting in.

“Consumers are clear about their preferences: they want businesses to communicate with them through SMS,” said Punit Shah, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer. “From promotional offers to providing customer support, customers now prefer SMS for its speed, delivery, and convenience above all other forms of communication, including social and email. Businesses that react to this trend will find themselves with positive customer engagement, and those that don’t are at risk of missing customer needs. Texting is no longer just a nice-to-have, it is now a must-have communication channel.”

Consumers Expect Texting for Every Business Need

The 2025 report reveals growing consumer reliance on SMS for appointment reminders, promotional updates, and customer support. Among the most striking findings:

86% of consumers now opt in for business texts, a 20% increase since 2021.79% of consumers are more likely to purchase when subscribed, increasing 21% from 2024.52% of consumers text businesses more often, a 31% increase over 2023.

SMS Marketing Drives Action & Builds Loyalty

Consumers are increasingly turning to SMS as their go-to communication channel with brands. Highlights include:

71% of consumers subscribe to texts without needing a prior purchase.47% share feedback via SMS, rising from 35% in 2024.63% of consumers text more overall, with 52% texting businesses, compared to 31% last year.

Consumers Demand Speed & Personalization

Consumer expectations for responsiveness are higher than ever:

57% expect businesses to respond within 15 minutes.67% show increased interest in products after receiving a text, an increase of 21% from 2024.49% purchase more often after receiving a text, underscoring the power of timely communication.

Survey Methodology

EZ Texting conducted the 2025 Consumer Texting Behavior Report to analyze consumer attitudes and behaviors related to SMS marketing.

Survey Timeframe: Nov. 1–Nov. 15, 2024Participants: 1,074 qualified respondents with personal mobile phones

About EZ Texting
Since 2004, EZ Texting has provided 230,000+ growing businesses and organizations with an effortless way to start text marketing—and powerful features and integrations to keep conversations going.

CONTACT:
Marco Raye
Content Marketing Manager
Email: mraye@eztexting.com

Journalists & Media
pr@eztexting.com

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SOURCE EZ Texting

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Kotak Life launches ‘Kavya’: AI-powered HR Assistant aimed at enhancing Employee Engagement and Experience

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MUMBAI, India, Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Ltd (“Kotak Life”) has unveiled Kavya, an advanced HR virtual assistant powered by generative AI, designed to enhance employee experience and engagement.

Kavya serves as a trusted companion to Kotak Life’s strong workforce, ensuring that employees are heard confidentially while fostering open communication and connection throughout their professional journey. By engaging in meaningful conversations, Kavya aims to support individual growth and strengthen Kotak Life’s commitment to creating a progressive and supportive work environment.

Ruchira Bhardwaja, Chief Human Resources Officer, Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Limited, said, “Kavya marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to employee development and satisfaction. With this AI-powered solution, we’re not just modernising HR services – we’re building a more empathetic, accessible and responsive workplace where every employee feels valued and heard.”

Key Features of Kavya 

Confidentiality: Kavya ensures that all interactions and shared information are kept strictly confidential, prioritising employee privacy at all times.Dedicated Support: For new joiners to seasoned professionals, Kavya is there at every milestone in the journey at Kotak Life, offering assistance and guidance.Action: Employees can share feedback and concerns with Kavya, who actively works to implement meaningful changes.Open Communication: Kavya encourages employees to communicate freely, without hesitation, providing a judgment-free space for open dialogue.

About Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Ltd.

Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Limited (Kotak Life) is a 100% owned subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (Kotak). Kotak Life provides world-class insurance products with high customer empathy. Its product suite leverages the combined prowess of protection and long term savings. Kotak Life is one of the fastest growing insurance companies in India with 322 branches across 152 cities and has covered more than 5 crore active lives as on 31st December 2024.

For further information, please contact:
Shazin Motorwala, 
Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Ltd.,
+91 98332 40021, 
Shazin.Motorwala@kotak.com

Jimit Harde,
Kotak Mahindra Bank,
+91 99300 29645,
Jimit.Harde@kotak.com

Meenakshi Verma, 
The Good Edge,
+91 99875 68227, 
meenakshi@thegoodedge.com

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/kotak-life-launches-kavya-ai-powered-hr-assistant-aimed-at-enhancing-employee-engagement-and-experience-302346904.html

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FusionIQ Celebrates a Breakthrough Year in 2024, Wins Trifecta of Industry Awards

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Wealthtech provider also appoints Sloan Shanahan as Chief Revenue Officer to drive further growth and innovation

WOBURN, Mass., Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FusionIQ, a leader in the delivery of cloud-based wealth management solutions, announced today that it achieved significant milestones in 2024, further establishing itself as a key innovator in wealthtech. This marks a pivotal moment in the company’s mission to make digital wealth transformation easy for financial advisors and institutions.

From industry awards to new partnerships and thought leadership to significant product advances, FusionIQ has emerged as a leader in the democratization of wealth as financial advisors and institutions look to fintechs to keep pace with the rapid acceleration of digital transformation in financial services.

Among the Notable Achievements in 2024:

Pre-Integrated Platforms: Leveraging the power of the cloud-native FusionIQ One platform, FusionIQ launched a suite of pre-integrated platforms to make digital wealth transformation easy, fast, and cost-effective for financial advisors and institutions. These platforms included FIQ Journey, the first dual journey platform for financial institutions integrating hybrid digital advice and self-directed investing in a single seamless investor experience, and the groundbreaking FIQ Wallet, the first digital wealth management solution for wallet companies, a significant leap forward in the convergence of wealth management and payment.Strategic Partnerships: The company announced key partnerships with leading financial institutions, including groundbreaking collaborations with OnPoint Community Credit Union and Kinecta Federal Credit Union, expanding access to digital investment services for OnPoint’s 581,000-plus members in Oregon and Southwest Washington, and Kinecta’s more than 270,000 members in California, New York, New Jersey, and Florida.Recognition in Banking Innovation: FusionIQ set the standard for innovation among wealthtech providers in 2024, winning Best-as-a-Service Solution for Wealth Management at the prestigious 2024 Banking Tech Awards USA in May, Best Wealth Management Solution by Vendor (Overall) at the Global BankTech Awards 2024 in September, and Best Digital Solution Provider – WealthTech – Personalization and User Experience at the Banking Tech Awards 2024 in December.SOC 2 Type II Compliance: FusionIQ successfully achieved SOC 2 Type II compliance, demonstrating its commitment to cybersecurity leadership and reinforcing trust with its growing client base.Thought Leadership: On topics ranging from cybersecurity to digital transformation in wealth management, FusionIQ advanced industry knowledge by contributing to 20 thought leadership articles, op-eds, and industry roundtables, establishing the company as a trusted voice in wealth management innovation.

With these achievements, FusionIQ continues to redefine the wealth management experience for institutions and investors across the industry.

Strengthening the C-Suite For Future Growth

In the second half of the year, FusionIQ made strategic leadership appointments to drive its continued growth trajectory. Eric Noll was appointed Chief Executive Officer after successfully completing a significant new fundraising round in October. That same month, Pete Chiccino was named Chief Operating Officer.

In December, Sloan Shanahan joined the executive team as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), bringing a wealth of expertise in strategic partnerships, sales enablement, and market expansion. Ms. Shanahan has a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams across top-tier consulting and technology organizations. Her vision aligns perfectly with FusionIQ’s goal of scaling operations and delivering innovative solutions to empower financial institutions in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

“I’m thrilled to join FusionIQ at this pivotal time,” she said. “The company’s dedication to redefining wealth management through innovation and collaboration is inspiring. I look forward to working with the team to drive measurable business outcomes and forge enduring partnerships across the industry.”

Looking Ahead to 2025

Building on its momentum, FusionIQ is poised to accelerate its growth trajectory in 2025. With its strengthened leadership team and proven track record of success, FusionIQ is well-positioned to lead the next wave of digital transformation in wealth management.

About FusionIQ

FusionIQ makes it easy for financial advisors and institutions to be digital wealth leaders. The cloud-native all-in-one FusionIQ One platform has four modules – Hybrid Digital Advice, Self-Directed Investing, Digital Marketplace, and finTAMP – making digital transformation hassle-free. FusionIQ One powers a range of easy-to-implement products, including FIQ Freedom, FIQ Journey, FIQ Market One, FIQ TAMP+, and FIQ Wallet, making it easy for credit unions, banks, broker-dealers, family offices, RIAs, wallet providers, and asset managers to scale, delivering the digital experience clients and advisors want and the seamless workflows and process automations they need for organic growth. With white-label integrations complete in as little as six weeks, it’s easy to see why FusionIQ One’s integrated multi-custodian platform is quickly becoming the digital solution of choice for advisors and institutions. To learn more, please visit: https://fusioniq.io

Media Contact
Elizabeth Shim
Haven Tower Group
424 317 4861
eshim@haventower.com 

 

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SOURCE FusionIQ

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