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Water & Sanitation

charity: water

Brings clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries through sustainable water projects.

Donate at charitywater.org ♡ Save to list
Founded 2006 20 years of work
Focus Global
Rating 100/100 Charity Navigator

A score of 100 out of 100 from Charity Navigator places charity: water among the most accountable, transparent, and operationally sound nonprofits in the United States.

What this charity does

Water and sanitation organizations build and maintain water-supply infrastructure (wells, piped systems, rainwater harvesting), sanitation facilities (latrines, sewage systems), and hygiene education programs. The most cost-effective focus on community-managed solutions — training local committees and pump operators so projects keep working long after donors leave. Funding supports drilling and construction, hygiene education, training of local technicians, and replacement-parts logistics for long-term maintenance.

Why it matters

Critical metric: percentage of projects still functioning 5 and 10 years after construction. Strong organizations track this and report it honestly; many do not, and their wells fall into disuse. Look for community-management models, training programs for local technicians, and explicit maintenance funding. charity: water and The Water Project publish functionality data — emulate those standards.

Common programs in this space

charity: water works within water & sanitation. These are the kinds of programs typically run in this space — visit their site for current specifics.

  • ✓ Drilling boreholes and protected wells in water-scarce communities
  • ✓ Piped water systems and household connections in peri-urban areas
  • ✓ Latrine construction and sanitation facilities in schools and clinics
  • ✓ Hygiene-education and behavior-change programs (handwashing, safe water storage)
  • ✓ Training local technicians to maintain water infrastructure long-term

How to support beyond a one-time gift

  • + Cash gifts are most useful — water charities can buy materials in bulk at far better rates than donated supplies
  • + Recurring monthly gifts support multi-year maintenance commitments that determine whether projects keep working
  • + Sponsor specific water projects (a well, a latrine block) for clear impact reporting
  • + Fund maintenance programs, not just new construction — many wells fail within 5 years without maintenance funding
  • + Avoid "donate a well" gimmicks that ignore the maintenance cost — instead support charities that build maintenance into their model

Verify before you give

A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on charity: water:

IRS Tax Exempt Search Confirm 501(c)(3) status ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer Read Form 990 filings Charity Navigator profile Ratings methodology charitywater.org Annual reports and updates

Frequently asked

Is charity: water a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
charity: water operates as a registered nonprofit organization. You can verify their current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. We recommend confirming directly on the IRS website before making any large donation.
What percentage of donations to charity: water goes to programs?
Program-expense ratios change year to year and are published in charity: water's annual Form 990 filing. You can read the most recent filings on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer or Candid (formerly GuideStar). Charity Navigator has rated charity: water at 100/100, reflecting its overall financial health and accountability.
How does charity: water measure its impact?
charity: water publishes impact reporting through its annual report, program-specific updates on its website, and the rating analysis from Charity Navigator. Critical metric: percentage of projects still functioning 5 and 10 years after construction. Strong organizations track this and report it honestly; many do not, and their wells fall into disuse. Look for community-management models, training programs for local technicians, and explicit maintenance funding. charity: water and The Water Project publish functionality data — emulate those standards.
What's the most effective way to donate to charity: water?
Most charities — including charity: water — get the most use out of unrestricted, recurring monthly donations. Recurring gifts let the organization plan staffing and program commitments. You can also donate appreciated stock to avoid capital-gains tax, leave a planned gift in your will, or take advantage of employer-matching programs.
How can I support charity: water without donating money?
Cash gifts are most useful — water charities can buy materials in bulk at far better rates than donated supplies Recurring monthly gifts support multi-year maintenance commitments that determine whether projects keep working Sponsor specific water projects (a well, a latrine block) for clear impact reporting Visit the official website at charitywater.org for current volunteer and advocacy opportunities.

More in Water & Sanitation

Water.org 97/100 WaterAid 94/100 The Water Project 95/100