Dear Partners — We are writing to share an important update about BuildUS and our path forward.

BuildUS was designed as a three-year, catalytic effort to strengthen the country’s ability to deliver on landmark federal investments and to help grow a stronger economy that benefits workers, communities, and the climate. As we approach the conclusion of that vision, we are entering our final chapter.

Justin Maxson will be stepping down as Executive Director on May 15. We are pleased to share that Jill Fuglister, currently Managing Director, will step into the role of Executive Director, providing steady leadership through this transition and the work ahead.

Over the coming months, we will complete our remaining grantmaking this summer and wind down all organizational activities by the end of the year.

We do so at a moment of real complexity. The federal context has shifted significantly since our founding, presenting new challenges to advancing this work. At the same time, we are proud of the meaningful progress made across the field—progress to which BuildUS has contributed alongside many of you. Together, we have helped advance a new, more inclusive approach to economic policy that works better for people and places: deploying clean energy, supporting workers, and building the infrastructure and local capacity needed to deliver lasting economic and climate benefits.

Even still, significant federal resources remain to be deployed. Recent tracking shows hundreds of billions of dollars from these landmark investments are still not fully obligated or spent—representing a critical window for philanthropy and partners to help ensure these funds translate into tangible benefits for workers and communities.

Helping turn these historic investments into real results on the ground has been possible because of our extraordinary staff (Thank you Alli, Kokei, Manu and Sarabeth!) and the funder committee at BuildUS. Their commitment, creativity, and most importantly, our partnership with all of you have been at the heart of meaningful results across the country.

Over the rest of the year our focus will be on:

• Completing our core programmatic commitments and supporting partners in bringing key efforts to fruition
• Capturing and sharing learning from our work, reflecting on lessons from three years of implementation
• Supporting the continuation of critical efforts and networks beyond BuildUS
• Contributing to the field’s ability to navigate this next phase with clarity and resilience

We remain deeply committed to ensuring that the work we’ve supported continues beyond our organizational lifespan. Many of the partnerships, strategies, and capacities we built together are designed to endure,and we are confident they will.

Most importantly, we want to express our deep gratitude. BuildUS has always been a collective effort, and we are profoundly appreciative of our community, labor, philanthropic, and field partners. Your leadership, collaboration, and persistence have made this work real and impactful.

As we move through this transition, we do so with humility about our role, pride in what has been accomplished, and optimism about what comes next. We look forward to staying connected in the months ahead and sharing more as our final year progresses.

We look forward to sharing insights and learnings from our work as the year progresses. More soon!

With appreciation,

Jill Fuglister
Executive Director (through May 15)
BuildUS

Jill Fuglister
Incoming Executive Director
BuildUS