The Wayfinder Initiative is a nonprofit-driven effort dedicated to developing an open data standard and platform designed to support innovative approaches to financing sustainable building improvements and modifications.
About The Wayfinder Initiative
As a program of Building Change, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Wayfinder Initiative is committed to expanding opportunities for low and moderate-income homeowners and residents to enhance the sustainability, comfort, efficiency, health, and safety of their homes—without incurring debt.
The Wayfinder Initiative is developing a nonprofit-driven data standard and digital platform designed to make home performance data a valuable resource for connecting communities with alternative funding sources. By addressing the gaps in traditional utility and rebate programs, Wayfinder helps unlock new pathways to home improvements that promote both community well-being and environmental sustainability.
This initiative prioritizes homeowner autonomy, allowing residents to control how their data is shared in exchange for opportunities to secure funding for critical home upgrades. These improvements align with broader public benefits, such as reducing environmental impact and enhancing health outcomes.
By fostering partnerships with mission-aligned investors and organizations committed to corporate social responsibility and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Wayfinder channels private-sector resources directly into community-driven projects. This approach reduces dependence on government-sponsored programs while ensuring funding reaches those who need it most.
Beyond home improvements, Wayfinder also supports local economic development by creating job opportunities for certified home performance professionals and skilled tradespeople. As part of Building Change’s mission to advance public benefit, this initiative strengthens community resilience and promotes sustainable, healthy living environments for all.
Data: Waste Not, Want Not!
Homes continuously generate valuable performance data, yet much of it goes unused—overlooked or shared without homeowners realizing its potential.
As a nonprofit initiative of Building Change, the Wayfinder Initiative helps homeowners and occupants regain control over their home performance data, transforming it into a resource that supports community well-being and sustainable development.
Wayfinder addresses the lack of structure in this space by fostering collaboration among government agencies, manufacturers, trades, utilities, and property owners. By creating a standardized framework for managing and valuing home performance data, the initiative ensures that this information serves as a tool for positive change. Historically, the absence of consistent reporting has made it difficult for homeowners to fully benefit from this resource.
Wayfinder changes that by making home performance data work for those who need it most. Through this nonprofit-driven approach, homeowners can leverage their data to access funding for critical home improvements—enhancing comfort, energy efficiency, health, and safety. This effort not only benefits individual households but also strengthens communities and contributes to a more sustainable future for all.
Supporting Homeowners, Building Owners, and Communities
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Building Change leads the Wayfinder Initiative to help modernize aging homes and buildings, ensuring they are safer, healthier, and more energy-efficient. Designed as a public good initiative, Wayfinder provides homeowners and building owners with opportunities to improve their properties while reducing energy waste and enhancing occupant well-being.
Here’s how Wayfinder delivers tangible benefits to property owners and communities:
- Strengthening Local Economies. Energy efficiency improvements lower utility costs, allowing homeowners and building owners to reinvest savings into their households and local businesses. These financial benefits help strengthen communities and create economic opportunities.
- Empowering Low-to-Moderate Income Families. Families and individuals can benefit from home upgrades that enhance energy efficiency, safety, and overall living conditions. These improvements promote long-term financial stability and a healthier home environment.
- Helping Seniors Age in Place. Seniors on fixed incomes can access support to make their homes safer, more comfortable, and more energy-efficient. These improvements contribute to better health, independence, and long-term affordability.
- Enhancing Rent-Controlled Multi-Tenant Housing. Owners of rent-controlled properties can access resources to improve building performance, reducing maintenance costs and enhancing tenant comfort. These upgrades benefit both property owners and residents while supporting environmental sustainability.
- Data for Public Good. Home and building owners can choose to share home performance data in exchange for access to improvement resources and funding opportunities. Transparency and owner control ensure that data is used fairly to support sustainable housing solutions.
Wayfinder is a nonprofit-driven initiative focused on creating lasting benefits for individuals and communities. To learn more about how this effort is making homes and buildings safer, more efficient, and more affordable, contact Building Change today. Together, we can build a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
Be a change maker, contact Building Change today!
Workforce Development
The Wayfinder Initiative not only enhances homes and buildings but also drives workforce development, fostering sustainable practices and creating opportunities for tradespeople, trade associations, and industry partners to thrive. By advancing public good workforce goals, Wayfinder supports professionals in building their skills, reputations, and contributions to sustainable communities.
- Empowering Individual Tradespeople. Wayfinder offers tradespeople access to educational and training opportunities focused on sustainable best practices. Their exceptional work is verified by reputable third parties, enhancing credibility and providing valuable referrals that help expand their businesses.
- Supporting Trade Associations. Trade associations can leverage Wayfinder to access resources and collaborate on implementing energy efficiency, health, and safety improvement programs. Associations can create and manage internship opportunities for new professionals, fostering standards of excellence, facilitating the adoption of best practices, and reducing project costs.
- Partnering with Building Material Manufacturers. Manufacturers and suppliers can participate through in-kind sponsorships, receiving significant tax benefits for donating materials. In addition, they gain access to valuable in-use performance data, informing the development of even better sustainable products.
- Recognizing and Rewarding Excellence. Wayfinder elevates tradespeople and contractors who adhere to sustainable best practices, promoting verified quality work in the marketplace. Educational and training opportunities, combined with referrals and collaborative networks, help create a competitive market that prioritizes excellence and environmental stewardship.
Wayfinder’s focus on workforce development ensures that skilled professionals are at the forefront of advancing sustainability, improving communities, and creating lasting public benefits. By participating in Wayfinder, tradespeople, associations, and manufacturers contribute to a shared mission of building healthier, more sustainable futures for all.
Wayfinder and Public Policy
The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development and the World Health Organization’s Environment, Climate Change, and Health Committee have issued urgent calls to action—and Building Change has answered with the Wayfinder Initiative.
Our proposed Wayfinder data permissioning and exchange mega-market is a transparent data interface that facilitates the flow of funding sources, including those not traditionally tied to the home performance industry. By aligning these resources with CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) mission-driven project goals, Wayfinder creates a pathway for meaningful and impactful change.
Seven Key Stakeholder Groups Driving Change
Building Change has identified seven primary stakeholder groups that can contribute to and benefit from the Wayfinder Initiative, creating ripple effects of positive impact:
- Citizen ChangeMakers. Individuals committed to improving their homes and communities through sustainable practices and responsible resource management.
- Donor/Grantor ChangeMakers. Philanthropists and organizations funding initiatives aligned with sustainability and equity goals.
- Government/Governance ChangeMakers. Policy-makers and agencies driving systemic change through support for sustainable development and community resilience.
- Data/Science ChangeMakers. Researchers and data aggregators using insights to inform impactful policies, innovations, and resource allocation.
- Trade/Contractor ChangeMakers. Skilled professionals implementing best practices in energy efficiency, safety, and health improvements.
- Corporate/Financial ChangeMakers. Businesses aligning their investments with ESG principles to drive social and environmental progress.
- Health/Safety ChangeMakers. Advocates and professionals prioritizing improvements that enhance public health and occupant safety.
A Collective Responsibility for Change
We all share responsibility as consumers of resources, producers of value, and participants in systems that impact the environment and society. To create a sustainable future, we must embrace stewardship of our shared world, ensure equitable management of resources, and hold leaders accountable for policies that promote equality in quality of life. The true measure of any nation’s progress lies in how it addresses the needs of its most underserved communities.
Wayfinder leverages technology and collaboration to address these challenges, transforming outdated housing into safe, efficient, and sustainable homes.
Together, we are not just imagining a better future—we are Building Change!
Support The Wayfinder Initiative!
Home/Building Owners
Express your interest in participating in Building Change home performance funding for vital improvements to comfort, efficiency, health and safety.
Contractors, Tradespeople & Associations
Grow your business applying sustainable best practices, have the quality of your work verified for increased leads and referrals. Be the professional in your area that makes the difference and helps revive aging housing stock to improve lives.
Corporate Responsibility Managers
We are seeking collaborators and supporters who are interested in pioneering the sustainability revolution by funding vital, mission relevant improvements to built environments or providing in kind sponsorship, improving lives and communities.
Individual Donors and Philanthropies
You have the opportunity to encourage energy efficient living across 50 states and beyond our borders. If you are passionate about sustainable materials and practices this is a unique opportunity to support practicable solutions.
Data Aggregators
The ways and means of data stewardship are varied and unique. If you or your organization are prepared to invest in the packaging of data as a public good, then we all stand to benefit!