Here in Los Angeles, 2025 began with devastating fires. Nearly a year later, we are still reorienting and recovering—as are so many people, communities, and cities around the globe who experienced unspeakably horrific events in the past year. Who may be experiencing them still.
It’s overwhelming and can feel impossible to imagine all that must be done to rebuild. To heal. But somehow, day by day, brick by brick, meal by meal, we do.
A few days ago, I met a young couple who lost their home in the Eaton fire. Figuring out how to clear the debris was a gauntlet, just one of many. They began posting online to share everything they were learning about—from debris removal to public adjusters—and a community formed. Today they run PostFire, a network of volunteers who make recovery resources free and easy to understand for survivors. They’re using it themselves as they try to get back home.
Being in regular contact with people who see a need in their community and do something about it is one of the most profound gifts of being at NationBuilder. From building affordable homes to making politics accessible for young people to creating a community-powered business that's saving centuries-old trees, our customers show us what’s possible every day. They usually don’t intend to be “the leader,” but when they see a gap in the world, they can’t ignore it—and so step into it, inspiring others to do the same. We’ve compiled just a few of their stories to share with you, along with other insights, in this 2025 Year in Review.
Putting people at the center has been one of our product principles since the early days of NationBuilder. But it's more than a product principle or even an ethos: it's a way of life. Because the simple truth is that we need each other. We can’t do it all alone, and the good news is that helping one another is profoundly human. It’s what we do. And while technology can help make that easier, it starts—always— with us. With our humanity. It starts with choosing to reach out, or to take the hand that is offered.
In 2026 there will be more to do, more gaps to step into. But together we can build and rebuild—homes, communities, lives, even countries. May we be invigorated and supported by those standing next to us. Every step of the way.