Introducing the Action Builder API

After much anticipation, I am delighted to announce (drumroll please)… the Action Builder API! The Action Builder API allows you to build integrations with Action Builder and nearly any other platform you’re using — with the help of some engineers of course.

Don’t know what an API is or why it’s important? Read on ⬇

What is an API?

API stands for Application Programming Interface. It basically allows you to send and retrieve data from different platforms. It lets you get data from one source, send it to another, update it there, then send it back to the original source, automatically. Cool stuff.

Why is this important?

Action Builder is the premier organizing tool for the labor movement, community organizations, and beyond. We built the API in collaboration with the AFL-CIO and organizers on the ground. This means that the data that’s important to you that you need to get from other tools, like someone’s postal addresses or phone numbers, can easily be sent back to Action Builder.

This opens up a world of possibilities for integrations.

Just like we have a native integration with Action Network and Action Builder, you can now build new integrations with Action Builder. You can build something so Action Builder communicates with your peer-to-peer texting tool, your database, and beyond. The possibilities are endless!

If you’re interested in building an integration with Action Builder, sign up for our Integration Partnerships Program here. This will give you access to a sandbox, documentation, a developer point of contact to answer all your questions about the API (surprise, it’s me), joint marketing opportunities, and more.

Sign up for our Integration Partnerships Program here: https://www.actionbuilder.org/developers

What does the API do?

An example of the JSON you would use to add a person (or entity) to an Action Builder campaign.

The API lets you get data from all sorts of things, like your entities and connections, then update your entities and connections with tags (info responses). You can check out the full documentation here.

I’m thrilled to move Action Builder into its next stage, where it can communicate with all the platforms that make up your organizing program. If you want to start building an integration, reach out to me here. I can’t wait to see what exciting things you build!

Introducing the Action Builder API was originally published in Powering Progressive Movements on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.