A Defining Moment for mindful MATERIALS

A note from Executive Leadership Annie Bevan & Anthony Guerrero on what we’ve built—and where we’re heading next

As we look ahead to 2026, mindful MATERIALS (mM) is entering one of the most defining chapters in our history. What began as a scrappy, volunteer-fueled movement has grown into a vibrant community with shared frameworks, real infrastructure, and measurable outcomes. When we launched our first strategic plan (2023–2025), we set ambitious goals—and our staff and supportive community rose to the occasion to meet every one of them.

We’re now evolving from a resilient, startup-style non-profit, sustained by deep belief and key organizational support into a financially sustainable, optimized organization ready to steward a global movement toward materials transparency and impact reduction. 

Everything we’ve built—the Common Materials Framework (CMF), the CMF Implementation Toolkit, the Forums, the Working and Engagement Groups—has laid the groundwork for our next major milestones.

And that progress is possible because of you.

To every member, Forum Partner, collaborator, and advocate who has believed and/or contributed to this work: thank you.

Where We’re Headed: Our 2026–2028 Strategic Priorities

As we prepare for an acceleration of a new set of focused outcomes beginning in 2026, we want to give you an early preview of the priorities that will shape our 2026 to 2028 Strategic Plan. We will publish the full plan in early 2026. 

That said, we want to make clear that the intention of our work remains the same: harnessing collective demand to build scalable solutions to our shared materials challenges. We remain diligently committed to focus, convene, unify and scale collaboration for collective benefit across the built environment.

Our next strategic plan centers on four pillars that will guide how we focus our time, resources, and collective power as we enter our next phase of scale:

• A Connected Future: Building, Accelerating, and Sustaining the Data Ecosystem

• Advancing the CMF and CMF Implementation Toolkit globally

• Growing the Movement: Education, Storytelling & Community Building

• Strengthening our Organizational Foundation

A New Way of Collaborating

As we establish our focus and business plans, we’re also stepping into an era where nonprofits aren’t competing—they’re coordinating. By aligning asks, integrating priorities, and reducing redundant efforts across organizations, we’re making it easier for partners to engage and easier for the industry to adopt the solutions that drive measurable impact and business value. We’re thrilled to expand our collaborations with key nonprofit partners to ensure this integral work remains at the forefront of value for all.

This is collaboration reimagined: shared vision, shared governance, shared progress.

Throughout our strategic initiatives below, you’ll find high-level insights on how we plan to collaborate with our peers to accelerate value for all.

A Connected Future: Building, Accelerating, and Sustaining the Data Ecosystem

We’re now focused on something transformational: creating a global, nonprofit-governed Data Ecosystem that connects digitized, CMF-aligned data from manufacturers directly into the workflow tools architects, designers, contractors, and owners rely on every day.

This is the shift that turns duplication into efficiency.

Information chaos into clarity.

Intent into measurable impact.

As this system comes online, we are stewarding:

• A growing, globally aligned community of ecolabel and technology partners

• The CMF-aligned data schema and underlying architecture

• Shared, governed infrastructure in collaboration with key foundational organizations like HPD Collaborative, Building Transparency/EC3, Living Future/Declare, among others

• Explorations toward a Universal Product ID system (as applicable)

• New Data Driver Material Industry Insight Reports

• A Global Technology Advisory Council

This is not a tool. It’s not a database. It’s the shared backbone the industry has needed for decades.

Advancing the CMF and Implementation Toolkit, Globally

The CMF has become the common language for sustainable materials, and our next chapter is about scaling it across borders, rating systems, and markets.

In the years ahead, mindful MATERIALS will:

• Advance the usability and implementation of the CMF Implementation Toolkit with continued support of our growing group of Forum Partners through the continued collaborative co-development of key resources and tools

• Advance the applicability of  the CMF globally through expanded feedback loops and partnerships abroad

• Support the Global Rating System Materials Alignment Initiative to integrate sustainability requirements across LEED, WELL, LBC, BREEAM, Green Star, and others

• Establish regional “Hubs” to grow global adoption

• Launch a Global Strategy Advisory Council

• Publish CMF Prioritization v2.0, including updated ecolabel and data point integrations (estimated 2027–2028)

The CMF and Toolkit will anchor impact-aligned product decisions around the world.

Growing the Movement: Education, Storytelling & Community

As alignment grows, so does the need to support and celebrate the community that is making it real.

Over the next three years, we will:

• Launch the mindful MATERIALS Ambassador Program, equipping leaders to bring CMF-aligned education into organizations and markets

• Support Professional Education and advance collaboration with Higher Ed

• Strengthen partnerships with AIA, IWBI, USGBC, Living Future, Parsons Healthy Materials Lab, GBCA, BRE, Design for Freedom, and more

• Expand our presence at industry events globally

• Highlight real-world wins through continuous case study development

• Host executive leadership conversations via LinkedIn Live

This movement grows because you grow it—and your stories will continue to shape the success and progress of this industry.

Strengthening our Organizational Foundation: Building a Future Ready Organization 

To lead a global movement, we need an organization that’s prepared for long-term stability and scale.

We’re investing in:

• Streamlined governance across our Board, Members, Forum Partners, Advisory Councils, and Coalition Partners

• Modernized systems, including a strengthened Collaboration Hub and digital operations

• A future-ready workforce model, including responsible use of AI

• Hiring for key roles tied directly to our strategic priorities

• Financial discipline and reserves that protect our long-term health

We’re deepening collaboration with aligned nonprofits and funders, sharing capacity and eliminating redundancy wherever possible.

What This Means for You

As the CMF Implementation Toolkit takes deeper root across the industry, you’ll feel the difference:

• Seamless quality data flows across platforms

• Automated materials vetting

• Automated reporting (rating systems, investors, etc.) that saves time and reduces costs

• Clear market signal for manufacturers to accelerate their strategy

• Reduced redundancy and ROI

• Product impact connected to financial and risk evaluations

In 2026, we move from “alignment as an idea” to alignment as an everyday practice with the acceleration of these key initiatives and aligned action guided by the CMF Implementation Toolkit.

Fueling What Comes Next

To deliver the scope of work ahead, we’ve built a clear business and financial plan for 2026–2028 to support the execution of these key strategic initiatives.

Here’s how you can help move this work forward:

• Become a member—or renew. Membership directly supports CMF governance, Toolkit expansion, and the Data Ecosystem.

• Sponsor our programs and events. New opportunities launch early next year.

• Become a Forum Partner, and help shape the development of key resources and tools to industry needs to see this work continue to be of the highest value and business benefit.

• Invest in strategic initiatives, including Global Alignment, Data Ecosystem acceleration, Staffing Fellowships, and Coalition Integration.

These investments power the work that no single organization can do alone.

Where We Go From Here

This movement has always been community-built. Its future will be, too.

As we step into this next chapter, we’re building something shared, nonprofit-led, and designed to serve the entire built environment for decades to come.

Thank you for your partnership, your belief, and your commitment to doing this work together. If you want to deepen your involvement—as a Forum Partner, member, sponsor, Ambassador, Strategic Founder, or coalition collaborator—we’re ready.

Here’s to what we’ve built, together.

And here’s to everything that comes next, together.