“To die, to sleep –

To sleep, perchance to dream – ay, there’s the rub,

For in this sleep of death what dreams may come…”

― William Shakespeare, Hamlet


Thank You

I didn’t know Jim but do know that all the people I have ever talked with at Nation Builder concerning my website are lovely people. Ever so helpful, patient and truly cared. I’ve seen you evolve this business to awesomeness over the last 3 years and I’m proud to be a part of it. He must have been something. Sorry for your loss.

Sorry to learn of this! You left us all a little better connected.

I was one of the first customers of NationBuilder and joined the company as an employee relatively early on, in suite 808. I love NationBuilder and think it is the embodiment of all I wanted the world to understand about community organizing. Yet, I spent my first year at the company convinced Jim hated me and scared to talk to him. Which is pretty hilarious. People claim I’m intimidating, but there will never be anyone as intimidating as Jim.


I had the privilege of wrestling with Jim over issues big and small. From the company’s vision to the placement of buttons in the control panel. I treasure our long, meandering conversations about the world we want to create as much as I do the meetings about future product features. It was such a joy to work with him on paths and goals, and to really try to crystallize through documentation his vision of gathering communities to create change / achieve together what is impossible (or simply takes too long) as an individual. I so respect Jim’s commitment to hearing out dissent and his fierce commitment to creating what you’re meant to create in the world.


I left NationBuilder to focus on studying to become a rabbi. When I learned of his passing, I cried that no one else will have the privilege of building NationBuilder alongside him. I have no doubt Jim will continue to live on through the platform he created and the work it has enabled for generations to come.


I know Jim wrestled with big questions and he created a definition for the Divine that allowed him to honor his mother’s last wish that he believe in God. I deeply regret not talking with Jim after I stopped working for him. I pray his soul is at peace and has made an easy passage from this world to the next.


May Jim Gilliam’s memory forever be a blessing. May we continue to move his vision of interconnected and interdependent humanity forward.

Thanks for everything Jim, it was a pleasure to work with you.

We built Brexit here. RIP Jim, a true Nation Builder

Sincere condolences to the NationBuilder community on the passing of your innovative founder. NationBuilder staff and technology have strengthened this grassroots organization’s communications, outreach and capacity.

Thank you Jim for your love of tech, and music, and shining the light on what we can do to make this world a better place. So much love to your family.

I’m sorry to hear that one of the people who devoted their lives to bettering the world has passed. My heart goes out to all who knew and loved him. May we do him proud. <3

Thank you for the memories and the opportunity Jim, you were one of a kind. My thoughts are with everyone who knew and cared about him.

I didn’t know him, but his tools and his vision helped me contribute my efforts to grass-roots political candidates who believed in helping your fellow human and making the world a better place. For that, I am eternally grateful.

goodbye Jim, now you are teaching angels how to build a political movement!

Thanks for everything!!

RIP Jim.

I am very saddened to hear of the great loss of Jim. Thank you, Jim, for sharing your passion and knowledge with the world.

May the Saints welcome Jim into Heaven. Through Jesus, all things are possible. Let us Pray

Thanks for sharing your love for Jim and grief at his loss with the wide NationBuilder community. This “end user” wishes you all peace.

Jim is the epitome of courage and be very missed but we must continue to carry his torch.

Heartfelt condolences to Jim’s colleagues, family, and friends.

I am grateful for your creation Jim, Nationbuilder transformed my business.

With love-

Jim’s vision, now a reality, arrived just at the right moment to help “god connect as people”, and democracy and justice be born. You are a warrior and we on the trail salute you, will not falter, and will raise our glasses to toast you along the way and always.

Jim was a force. Not only in his prodigious work output, but in always examining the purpose of his work. I am grateful to have had the chance to puzzle these questions with him, a man who cared so deeply.

Having a vision and being able to share it with others to make the world a better place is a wonderful thing. Thank you Jim for everything you have accomplished and started now let’s finish it.

his work will always be remembered

We will miss Jim! I will miss hugging his enormously tall and skinny frame – as he awkwardly put up with me demanding a hug to show my caring. My prayers and gratitude will continue to go to Jim, his family, Lea and those closest to him.


While his life was too short, his was a life well lived. Rarely are people so gifted with the clarity of purpose and the passion, integrity and grit to bring that purpose to life. The world is a different place, and will continue to be – as the seeds of empowered leadership he helped to sow are only just beginning to bloom. I am grateful to have known Jim and have had the opportunity to share my hugs of gratitude with him. Thank you Jim! Xoxo

I am so appreciative of what Nationbuilder has been to our community of change. May we all take a moment to acknowledge this tool that Jim brought to us for the benefit of our organizations. Let’s all reaffirm our commitment to making a positive impact for the world, our world, as we unite for causes to bring about a better future. Jim, you will be dearly missed.

My thoughts are with Jim’s family and all his friends who knew and loved him. Bless you all. My special warm hug is for his mother. I too know what it is like to lose your child. Nothing is worse. I hope all of you will give comfort to his parents.

As a fellow radiation and chemo survivor myself, I hope our barbaric system of treating cancer will be changed. Infections come from weakened immune systems. We need strong immune systems to fight cancer. Prevention is everything. Please do your part to push for a) Health care for all Americans b) that research isn’t put into more toxic drugs, but in actual logical recovery from cancer which entails making the person so healthy they can battle this devastating disease.Knocking our immune systems is so very counter intuitive. c) Preventing cancer in the first place is everything.(Netflix has a number of good documentaries).

May Jim be loved and remembered always. Mom and dad might want to inquire into The Compassionate Friends in their area. There are chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada. A by and for bereaved parent’s support group. Better than anything else I’ve found. To his friends, please don’t tell the parents “It was his time” or other sorts of platitudes. It wasn’t. He should be here still, doing great things and being loved by all of you. Young people should not have to die. God bless Jim and God bless you all. Be good to yourselves and allow grieving to take place. It takes a long time and it isn’t a mental illness. Remember that when people say you should “move on.” You are still here so you have. Love is good.

I’m so sorry for your loss—you will be in our thoughts and prayers!

Thanks Jim for all your hard work and inspiration.

So sorry for all of you. Cancer keeps taking the best and the brightest, and always entirely too soon. It sounds as if you were all mutually blessed to work together, and I wish you well as your community begins the journey of remembrance and healing.

Lost a great warrior for regular people.

His energy is still burning bright and mingling with best of the universe.

I didn’t know Jim. Now I feel like I did. As a Nationbuider user and a human who can appreciate another good human being, I am deeply saddened by Jim’s passing. I am thankful and empowered to learn about how tenacious he was and have the access to share his influence and energy with folks in my circle.