About Us
Co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, Water.org is a nonprofit organization that has transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation. Water.org traces its roots back to the founding of WaterPartners in 1990. In July 2009, WaterPartners merged with H2O Africa, resulting in the launch of Water.org. Water.org works with local partners to deliver innovative solutions for long-term success. Its microfinance-based WaterCredit Initiative is pioneering sustainable giving in the sector.
Who We Are
WCo-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, Water.org is a nonprofit organization that has transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation. Water.org traces its roots back to the founding of WaterPartners in 1990. In July 2009, WaterPartners merged with H2O Africa, resulting in the launch of Water.org. Water.org works with local partners to deliver innovative solutions for long-term success. Its microfinance-based WaterCredit Initiative is pioneering sustainable giving in the sector.
Our Organization's Mission
We envision the day when everyone in the world can take a safe drink of water.
Who We Serve
Each day, nearly one billion people in developing countries must walk long distances to get the water they need for drinking, cooking and bathing. Often, this water is contaminated. Water.org helps people in developing countries obtain safe drinking water and basic sanitation (i.e. toilets).
Our Programs
We serve more than 200 communities in South Asia, Africa, and Central America.
Upcoming Events
WORLD TOILET DAY! Nov. 19
Leadership Profile
Gary White is a worldwide expert in the water and sanitation sector. White is co-founder and executive director of Water.org, and has overseen the implementation of more than 200 successful water projects on three continents. White is also a founding board member of the Global Water Challenge and Water Advocates. For more information to go: http://water.org/2009/05/gary-white/
Board of Directors
-Jeremy N. Howard - Board Chair, Principal & Co-founder
Strategy First Partners LLC
-Tony Stayner - Board Secretary, Investor
-Giannella Alvarez, Vice President, Global Enhanced Hydration and New Beverages, The Coca-Cola Company
-Dawnet Beverley, Vice President, Managing Director
RR Donnelley Financial
-Ari Chaney, President & Founder, Leveraged Restructuring, LLC
-Bob Cleeland, Consultant - Higher Education
-Charlie Engle, Television and Movie Producer, World Class Athlete
-Janine Firpo, President and Co-Founder, Sevak Solutions
-Dan Hoskins, Partner, Crescat Partners LLC
-Sharon Lake, Medical Device Consultant
-Paul Lister - Vice Chair and Treasurer, Major General, US Army (Ret.)
-Lisa Roskens, President and CEO, The Burlington Capital Group, LLC
-Andy Sareyan, President of Better Homes and Gardens, Executive Vice President of Meredith Publishing Group
-Gary White, Executive Director, WaterPartners International
Board of Advisors
-Peter Baciewicz, MD, FACC, Cardiologist, The Polyclinic/Swedish Heart Institute
-Maya Chorengel, Managing Director, The Dignity Fund
-Jan Creidenberg - Immediate Past Board Chair, Vice President, Global Marketing, Enturia, Inc.
-Jeff Crowe, Market Maker, Kansas City Board of Trade
-Pietro Dova, Finance Executive
-Dennis B. Duffy, PhD., Dennis B. Duffy, Inc.
-Duffy Gilligan, Financial Planner
-Leila Goodwin, Water Resources Manager, Town of Cary
-Scott C. Hayes, Director, Citigroup Private Bank
-Manish Kothari, Entrepreneur and Co-founder, AlphaSmart, Inc.
-Steven Levitas, Partner in the Environmental Practice Group, Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
-Jules Older, Ph.D., Editor-in-chief, Ski Press and Ski Press USA
-Kamal Ravikant, Consultant, Internet technology
-Mark Thompson, Vice Chairman, Country Club Bank
Major Supporters and Sponsors
CARE
Millenium Water Alliance
Michael and Susan Dell Foundation
Open Square Foundation
| Year Founded : |
1990 |
| 501(c)(3) Ruling Year : |
1993 |
| Full-Time Employees : |
22 |
| Volunteers : |
1 |
| Annual Income : |
$6,000,000 |
| Amount Spent Fundraising : |
$457,000 |
What Sets Us Apart
Water.org is challenging the traditional approach to assisting people in developing countries. We do not build water systems for people, but with people. We believe that local people know their own needs best. That’s why we work through high-quality partner organizations based in the developing world that share this philosophy. It's also why the communities we serve are actively involved in all stages of their water project.
Objectives for This Fiscal Year
1.Secure funding for water and sanitation projects in developing countrie
2. Raise public awareness and understanding of the global drinking water crisis.
3.Continue to develop and expand the WaterCredit Initiative.
4.Recruit talented, high-caliber board leadership.
5.Increase and diversity our donor base.
Recent Accomplishments
Water.org recently pioneered a new micro-loan program for water and sanitation projects. The WaterCredit Initiative™ applies micro-finance principles for the first time to the water and sanitation sector, and is revolutionizing the way help is delivered to the developing world. WaterCredit loans provide funds to those individuals and communities without access to traditional credit markets.
