Water.org

Water.org is an American nonprofit developmental aid organization resulting from the merger between H2O Africa Foundation, co-founded by Matt Damon, and WaterPartners, co-founded by Gary White. Its goal is to provide aid to developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America that do not have access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Water.org
A video by Water.org
Formation2009 (1990 as WaterPartners)
TypeDevelopmental aid organization
Executive Director
Gary White
Key people
Websitewww.water.org

History

In 2009, WaterPartners, founded in 1990, and H2O Africa Foundation, founded in 2006, merged to form Water.org.[1] In 2017, Water.org created the WaterEquity investment fund. By 2019, the charity had "provided more than 16 million people throughout India, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines with access to safe water and sanitation."[2]

Approach

Water.org's approach to implementing water projects involves four key components:

  1. Forging partnerships with local partner organizations in the countries it serves
  2. Involving the community at each stage of the project
  3. Selecting technology appropriate to the local community and their particular situation
  4. Integrating all projects with health and hygiene education.

The organization conducts monitoring, evaluation, and original research programs. It has initiated third-party evaluations of its programs to determine how it is fulfilling its mission.[3]

WaterCredit

Water.org's projects are funded through grants, loans, or a combination of the two. Its loan program, known as WaterCredit, utilizes microcredit to fund water sanitation projects.[4][5] Funding water supply projects through a combination of grants and loans is a new approach to the water sector. This strategy helps these people in need build credit for the future and also builds confidence in commercial institutions that are considering lending.[6] Until recently, almost all water projects facilitated by other nongovernmental organizations have been funded entirely by grants, even when the individuals served by the project have the means to share costs.

Prior to its merger with Water.org, WaterPartners received grants from organizations such as the PepsiCo Foundation,[7] The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation,[8] and Open Square Foundation (previously called the Agora Foundation).[9]

Water.org and corporate partnerships

Water.org has partnered with corporate sponsors to promote awareness and raise funds to support its mission of bringing safe, clean, cost-effective drinking water and sanitation to developing countries.[10] In this context, co-founder Matt Damon has been the face of advertising campaigns to promote Water.org in conjunction with products from major sponsors.

PepsiCo Foundation partnership

In October 2011, Water.org received an $8 million grant from the PepsiCo Foundation to scale up WaterCredit, tying in with the Aquafina and Ethos Water brands of bottled water owned by PepsiCo and Starbucks.[11][12][13]

Stella Artois partnership

Stella Artois became a Water.org partner in 2015. In January 2018, their new commercial, which premiered during the NFL Super Bowl, encouraged viewers to contribute to the work of Water.org by purchasing a limited-edition Stella Artois "blue chalice", imprinted with an embellished blue version of the brand's logo.[14] Each purchase would help Water.org provide up to five years of clean water for one person in the developing world.[15][16][17]

Crypto.com partnership

In October 2021, a new partnership was announced with the cryptocurrency trading platform Crypto.com, whereby Water.org was to receive a $1 million donation. The announcement quoted Damon as saying, "Crypto.com gave us this great donation, which is amazing. The money that I make for the commercials to promote them, I give 100% of that to Water.org as well. So, it's millions of dollars coming in to us. The thing that we really are proud of with what we're doing and where it relates to Crypto.com is the self-determination piece, because it's about giving people more power. It's about just creating an environment where people can help themselves."[18][19][20][21]

Reviews

As of September 2019, Charity Navigator gives the organization 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 95.75 out of 100.[22]

Award

2019 Global Global Water Awards: Water Company of the Year[23]

See also

References
  1. Sudekum Fisher, Maria (July 15, 2009). "Damon joins K.C. organization to provide for developing communities". Associated Press. Retrieved May 2, 2021 – via Missourian.
  2. Booth, Barbara (January 24, 2019). "Matt Damon's water crusade has helped 16 million people so far". CNBC. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  3. Community Water Systems Sustainability Study, Lempira, Honduras, Emory University, October 1, 2006
  4. Water Projects Sustain Hope and Life in Developing Countries, Voice of America, March 28, 2006
  5. A Thirsty World, Trans World Features India, January 24, 2007
  6. "WaterCredit - A Microfinance Solution". Water.org. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  7. Coalition Pledges $400 Million For Clean Water, Sanitation, Wall Street Journal, September 27, 2008
  8. Firm Decisions, Wall Street Journal, December 10, 2007
  9. Grants to Aid Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Education Overseas: a Sampling, Chronicle of Philanthropy, October 18, 2007
  10. "Partners".
  11. "PepsiCo Foundation expands commitment to Water.org with $8 million contribution to scale "WaterCredit" across India". Water.org. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  12. Zmuda, Natalie (October 18, 2013). "Pepsi partners with Starbucks water brand. Also teams with Matt Damon's group to push charitable message behind Ethos". AdAge. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  13. "Why Matt Damon and Gary White of Water.org are friends of PepsiCo". youtube.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  14. "Stella Artois Limited Edition Chalice at Water.org (Matt Damon)". youtube.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  15. "Stella Artois And Water.org Team Up To Encourage Beer Lovers To 'Make Your Super Bowl Party Matter'". www.prnewswire.com. Archived from the original on 2018-01-16. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  16. "Stella Artois Chalices". Water.org. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  17. "Stella Artois: Give the gift of time (Matt Damon for Water.org)". youtube.com. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  18. Conway, Jeff. "Matt Damon announces Water.org partnership with Crypto.com". forbes.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  19. Bhasin, Kim (October 28, 2021). "Matt Damon is the Face of Crypto.com". Bloomberg.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. "Fortune Favours the Brave – Crypto.com". youtube.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  21. "The making of Fortune Favours the Brave – Crypto.com". youtube.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  22. "Charity Navigator: Water.org". Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  23. "GWI Announces Winners of the 2019 Global Water Awards". WWD Magazine. April 25, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.