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Water & Sanitation

The Water Project

Provides reliable water projects to communities in sub-Saharan Africa who suffer needlessly from water scarcity.

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Founded 2006 20 years of work
Focus Africa
Rating 95/100 Charity Navigator

A score of 95 out of 100 from Charity Navigator places The Water Project 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

The Water Project 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 The Water Project:

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

Frequently asked

Is The Water Project a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
The Water Project 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 The Water Project goes to programs?
Program-expense ratios change year to year and are published in The Water Project'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 The Water Project at 95/100, reflecting its overall financial health and accountability.
How does The Water Project measure its impact?
The Water Project 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 The Water Project?
Most charities — including The Water Project — 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 The Water Project 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 thewaterproject.org for current volunteer and advocacy opportunities.

More in Water & Sanitation

Water.org 97/100 charity: water 100/100 WaterAid 94/100