Cultivating Partnerships for a Sustainable Water Future | FUSE

About Us
About Us
FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to engage communities, advance racial equity, and work more effectively for everyone.
About us Overview
Our Model
The FUSE Model centers around a one-year full-time public service role in city or county government and includes three primary phases from start to finish.
Our Fellows & Alumni
FUSE Executive Fellows and Alumni are experienced leaders committed to advancing equity through action-oriented partnerships with government agencies.
FUSE Careers
FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to engage communities, advance racial equity, and work more effectively for everyone.
Our Team
The FUSE team and board of directors are committed to driving equitable change locally and nationally.
Work with FUSE
Work with FUSE
The power of government. The experience of community. The impact of new ideas. Together we can build better systems
Work with FUSE Overview
Partner With FUSE
The FUSE Model centers around a one-year full-time public service role in city or county government and includes three primary phases from start to finish.
Executive Fellowship Program
FUSE Executive Fellows and Alumni are experienced leaders committed to advancing equity through action-oriented partnerships with government agencies.
Funders And Supporters
Thanks to the generous support and close partnerships of our funders and supporters, we have been able to deepen our impact on issues that matter the most to communities and the government agencies that serve them.
Newsroom
Read more about our work, partner success, and updates.
Our Projects
Our Projects
Through strategic collaboration, these initiatives harness innovative solutions and practices to bridge gaps in healthcare access.
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Health
Expanding access to affordable health care and mental health resources to improve key indicators of community health.
Justice
Enhancing public safety and reform of criminal justice by changing policing, 911 dispatching, bail, sentencing, probation, reentry.
Education
Improving options for childcare, early education, STEM, out-of-school-time, and post-secondary enrollment and affordability.
Climate
Building new infrastructure, disaster resilience, renewable energy, green economy jobs, and plans to reduce emissions.
Housing
Addressing issues of homelessness, housing insecurity, gentrification, and the need to preserve and build more affordable housing.
Jobs
Increasing the number of living-wage jobs and preparing for the future of work through expanded job training.
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Climate change is causing more severe droughts and floods, threatening local water supplies. San José has experienced persistent drought, leading to reduced water supply and increased costs. To address this, the City implemented the “Climate Smart San José” strategy to reduce water consumption, enhance reuse and recycling efforts, and support legislative measures. San José will collaborate with FUSE to develop a city-wide water strategy, which involves understanding supply, demand, and governance, researching successful programs, building a “Water Team” with stakeholders, and defining strategic water sustainability priorities. This initiative aims to create a sustainable and climate-smart city by reducing and improving water use.

Starting in May 2023, a FUSE Executive Fellow will work to address San José’s water resource challenges by defining strategic priorities for sustainable water use practices. The Executive Fellow will conduct a listening tour to assess water resources, research successful water strategies, and form a multi-agency “Water Team” for collaborative decision-making. This team will focus on improving water quality, reducing reliance on imported water, and ensuring equitable access for all residents, particularly low-wealth communities and communities of color. By April 2024, the Executive Fellow will have conducted the listening tour, established the Water Team, and defined strategic priorities for sustainable water management, including identifying funding opportunities and partnerships for successful program implementation.