Having clean water for drinking and hygiene is a basic necessity that many of us take for granted. Yet, over 2 billion people lack access to it, which equates to 1 in 3 people around the world. Furthermore, 282 million people spend more than 30 minutes retrieving water each time they need it, and every 21 seconds, an infant dies because of a lack of access to safe drinking water. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that fight for clean water?

The best charities that fight for clean water are charity: water, Water.org, and the Water Mission. Other charities, like the Planet Water Foundation, the Safe Water Network, and WaterAid, help the world’s most disadvantaged communities to access safe drinking water. 

Whether you want to help underserved communities to access safe water and sanitation services, ensure vulnerable communities are educated on the importance of hygiene, or advocate for better legislation to improve access to safe, clean water, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that fight for clean water are all about, how they work, and what would be your best way to make a contribution.

Here’s What All the Best Charities That Fight for Clean Water Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their impact, community reach, transparency ratings, and diversity of water solutions.

They operate primarily in Africa and Asia, improving the health and life quality of communities affected by the water crisis. 

Most of the charities below work directly with communities or collaborate with local leaders to implement filtration systems that clean local water sources and make them safe for drinking. They also provide sanitation tools and teach communities about the importance of hygiene.

Moreover, they build custom water-sourcing methods that best fit the needs and resources of each individual community. In addition, they ensure their projects are sustainable by training locals to maintain and monitor them or by building long-distance sensors to solve technical problems as soon as they happen.

Yet, through different means, all the charities share the same goal of fulfilling the basic need and right to clean water.

These Are the 21 Best Charities That Fight for Clean Water in 2024

Below are our favorite charities that fight for clean water (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

Best Charities That Fight for Clean Water

charity: water

water.org

Water for People

Water Mission

ROCKBlue

Planet Water Foundation 

WaterAid

Lifewater International

Splash

WATERisLIFE

Safe Water Network

Blood:Water

Helvetas

H2O For Life

Water4

The Water Project

Thirst Project

Pure Water for the World

Water for Good

33 Buckets

Generosity Global

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

charity: water – Eradicating the Global Water Crisis

charity: water was founded in 2006 by Scott Harrison after he saw the effects of dirty water firsthand while living in Liberia. He aimed to bring clean and safe water to disadvantaged communities and improve their health. Today, the charity partners with local organizations to build sustainable water projects worldwide.

charity: water has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Our mission is to bring clean water to every person living without it.”

Charity: Water

charity: water teams up with local partners to select the best regions for water projects based on community needs, local economy, and regional geography. They also provide resources for nine types of water implementation solutions, like drilled wells, BioSand Filters, or piping systems. In addition to the construction process, they work with the community to teach safe hygiene practices and establish water committees to manage projects. Moreover, they make their projects sustainable by running quality checkups and ensuring that spare parts for the machines can be purchased locally. 

Since their inception, charity: water has served 15,5 million people by funding nearly 112,000 clean water projects across 29 countries. For example, in 2021, they funded more than 27,000 safe water systems that served almost 2 million people in need from 21 countries in Asia and Africa. In the same year, they fundraised over $100 million to invest in vital clean water projects. They also developed a remote-monitoring tool using innovative sensors and cloud computing technology to equip locals with real-time data on water system performance.

You can donate to charity: water on their website. You can also support one of their fundraising campaigns or buy their merchandise. In addition, you can sponsor a full grassroots water project.

Water.org: Safe Water Protects and Saves Lives

Water.org was founded in 2009 by Gary White and Matt Damon to bring clean water to the developing world by making it safe, accessible, and cost-effective. Today, the charity helps people get access to safe water and sanitation through affordable financing to empower their communities.

Water.org has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We believe water is the way to break the cycle of poverty, to protect and save lives, and to make bright futures possible. We’re here to bring water and sanitation to all.”

Water.org

Water.org breaks the barriers to safe water through their WaterCredit Initiative. Through this, they give small, affordable loans to individual households to help them build water taps in their homes. They also partner with local governments and financial institutions to reach more communities and help create sanitation systems. Furthermore, they lend each repaid loan to another underserved family needing safe water, thus creating a self-sustaining strategy that breaks the cycle of poverty. In addition, they measure and track the progress of the credits to ensure they are used responsibly and impactfully.

Since their founding, Water.org has helped over 51 million people from 11 countries and 4 continents to access safe water and sanitation systems. In addition, they have lent 11,2 million loans to individual families through their WaterCredit scheme. They have also distributed over $4 billion in loans to local partners to help communities implement tap water tools. Moreover, their average WaterCredit loan is $360, which made it possible for 99% of them to be repaid and lent to another family in need. For example, in 2021 alone, they equipped 9 million people with safe water resources and distributed $740 in small loans.

You can donate to Water.org on their website. You can also support them by fundraising, starting a corporate partnership, or shopping on their online store. 

Water For People: Clean Water For Everyone, Forever

Water For People was founded in 1991 by the American Water Works Association in response to the increasing water scarcity in developing countries. They wanted to develop high-quality drinking water, accessible to all affected individuals. Today, they work with businesses and governments to empower communities with safe water and sanitation.

Water For People has a 91% encompass score for Finance and Accountability from Charity Navigator. They also hold the Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Creating a world where everyone has safe drinking water, forever.”

Water For People

Water For People designs lasting water solutions that can serve multiple generations of a community. They do this by partnering with district governments that provide and manage water services locally. They also engage in years-long water projects by building piped infrastructure, conserving water sources, and training local mechanics to repair water systems. In addition, they advocate for national water policies and, if necessary, build local institutions that control water services to ensure they are maintained long into the future. They also monitor and consult local partners 5 years after finishing the projects to preserve their initial quality.

Since their founding, Water For People has worked to provide safe water services in over 40 countries worldwide. For example, between 2017 and 2021, they helped 4,7 million people access reliable water solutions across 9 countries in Asia, Africa, and South America. In the same period, their water projects reached nearly 4,000 communities and 1,500 schools while creating permanent jobs for 2,500 locals. Furthermore, in 2021 alone, they invested over $18 million to provide clean water technology to 253,000 people from 587 underserved regions. 

You can donate to Water For People on their website. You can also support their work by buying their merchandise, volunteering, or starting a fundraiser.

Water Mission: Supplying Clean Water & Related Engineering

Water Mission was founded in 1998 by Molly and George Greene to stop the suffering of communities lacking proper water filtration. Today, they engineer safe water and sanitation solutions in developing countries and disaster areas worldwide.

Water Mission has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Guided by love, excellence, and integrity, we are driven to share clean, safe water and God’s love with all.”

Water Mission

Water Mission helps rural communities to implement water projects by promoting healthy hygiene behaviors and training locals to manage water projects. To construct the projects, the charity connects water sources such as rivers or drilled wells to water storage tanks. Furthermore, they build pumps and piping systems to distribute the water across the community. If electrical power is needed and a village cannot sustain it, they provide solar panels to power the filters. Moreover, they ensure the water is safe by testing it with Living Water Treatment Systems and treating it with Erosion Chlorinators. They also monitor their services and give technical support.

To date, Water Mission has provided clean water solutions to more than 7 million underserved people in 57 countries. They have also collaborated with over 400 local leaders working in permanent country programs worldwide. For example, in 2021, they invested over $33 million to provide water, hygiene, and sanitation solutions to over 1,12 million people in need. In the same year, they aided 260,000 survivors of 10 natural disasters with immediate solutions for water hazards and shortages. 

You can donate to Water Mission on their website. You can also join their Walk for Water fundraising event, volunteer, or start your own fundraiser.

ROCKBlue: Providing Water and Hope

ROCKBlue was founded in 2013 by Peter Macy to fight the global water crisis by increasing the effectiveness of water sources for urban communities in developing countries. Today, they are one of the most wide-reaching water organizations in the world through a diverse global team of specialists.

ROCKBlue has a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We are working to create a world where everyone in urban areas has access to clean water and basic sanitation.”

ROCKBlue

ROCKBlue partners with public utilities in the developing world to secure financing and improve water services in vulnerable communities. In addition, they strengthen relations between communities, funders, and utilities so that all can work together to ensure a reliable supply of water. They also partner with international donors to expand water distribution networks, improve service reliability, and conduct routine maintenance. Moreover, they offer technical training to locals and provide quality materials for their water systems, to ensure their services remain sustainable long after their in-field support ends. 

Since their founding, ROCKBlue has impacted more than 22 million people across 6 countries with clean water and basic sanitation, while helping to create healthy, sustainable cities. They have also created the “Online Lecture Series” to help share information and resources from 130 leading global experts in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector. This series has reached a global audience in 50 countries spanning 5 continents. In addition, the charity has provided professional development to more than 5,000 water professionals. 

You can donate to ROCKBlue on their website. You can also support them by volunteering for their projects.

Planet Water Foundation: Alleviating the Water Crisis

The Planet Water Foundation was founded in 2009 by Mark Steele to bring clean water to the world’s most impoverished communities. Today, they use water filtration solutions to improve the health of underserved children worldwide.

The Planet Water Foundation holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Together, we can abolish global water poverty, one community at a time.”

Planet Water Foundation

The Planet Water Foundation provides AquaTower water filtration solutions to communities and schools to access safe drinking water. Their filtration systems use UF technology to remove virtually all bacteria and viruses while requiring simple maintenance processes. Furthermore, the AquaTowers are gravity-based filters that do not require electrical power to run. They also include safe drinking water access points with integral soap dispensers for hand washing. In this way, the charity combines the habits of safe water drinking and hand hygiene. Moreover, they run sustainability check-ups to preserve their projects’ performance. 

To date, the Planet Water Foundation has supported the daily drinking water requirements of over 3 million people in 1,600 communities across 25 countries. Also, they have designed the AquaTowers to produce 1,000 liters of drinking water per hour, capable of supporting the daily drinking needs of 1,800 people. For example, in 2021, they reached nearly 200,000 children and their families in 6 countries worldwide with water filtering systems. In the same year, they invested over $1,8 million across their clean water solutions and installed 93 AquaWater projects. 

You can donate to the Planet Water Foundation on their website. You can also support the charity by fundraising, becoming a corporate partner, or by following their Twitter account. 

WaterAid: It All Starts With Clean Water

WaterAid was founded in 1981 by several UK water companies to unite and reach the millions of people living without clean water around the globe. Today, they fund innovative technology to offer people the safe water they need to thrive.

WaterAid has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Our goal is to make clean water and good hygiene a normal part of everyday life for everyone, everywhere.”

WaterAid

WaterAid works with decision-makers in governments, both in the US and internationally, to help communities access clean water and sanitation tools. Furthermore, they install practical technologies like water taps and community toilets so households, schools, and service providers can keep the water systems working sustainably. They also ensure that communities can independently use safe water by training local mechanics and supervisors to maintain the water filtering machines. In addition, they advocate with businesses and legislators to prioritize investment in clean water for their citizens. 

Today, WaterAid works in more than 30 countries from 3 continents to give people access to clean water and break the cycle of poverty. For example, in 2017, they reached 1,5 million people with appropriate clean water solutions. In the same year, they provided safe water filters in 970,000 healthcare centers and 320,000 households, as well as 150,000 learning institutions. Moreover, in 2020, they invested over $12 million to serve 400,000 families from over 1,000 communities with vital water filtration systems.

You can donate to WaterAid on their website. Additionally, you can volunteer, join an advocacy campaign, or fundraise while playing video games.

Lifewater International: Water Today, Health Tomorrow, Hope for Generations

Lifewater International was founded in 1977 by William A. Ashe, owner of a water pump business, to manage water projects and promote water and sanitation initiatives in Mexico. Today, they serve thousands of vulnerable communities with safe water, adding improved sanitation and hygiene practices to their daily lives. 

Lifewater International has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We are Christians providing access to safe water, and improved sanitation and hygiene, one village at a time.”

Lifewater International

Lifewater International implements safe water solutions as part of their holistic process of making villages worldwide healthy and thriving. To do this, their engineers develop water access blueprints for each water source based on population needs and locally-available materials. Then, they oversee construction to ensure it is effective and can be affordable and maintainable by locals. In addition, they run impact and quality tests on their water technologies to keep them sustainable for individual communities’ needs. To complete the sanitization process, they also teach hygiene practices to each house in partner villages. 

Since their inception, Lifewater has served more than 2.5 million people across 45 countries with clean water, improved sanitation, and hygiene training. For example, across 2021 and 2022, they completed 338 new, functional water sources in underserved villages and equipped 15,300 schools with safe water systems and hygienic bathrooms. Moreover, in 2022, they opened 15 water points in Tanzania, which provided 5,000 people with safe water. In the same year, they served 2,500 people from 9 villages in Ethiopia, completing the charity’s 1,000th water point in Ethiopia since the start of their program. 

You can donate to Lifewater International on their website. You can also contribute by starting a personal fundraiser or volunteering. In addition, you can join their Kilimanjaro Climb for Safe Water event. 

WATERisLIFE: Changing People’s Lives Through Clean & Safe Water

WATERisLIFE was founded in 2007 by Ken Surritte and his wife to end the global water crisis by using innovative and accessible technologies for people in need. Today, they actively involve local communities in building safe water and sanitation programs for households, schools, and medical facilities.

WATERisLIFE has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. According to their financial report, the charity spent 68% of their expenditure on charitable programs and 10% on fundraising. 

“We work directly with local leaders, mainly youth and women, empowering them as agents of change who bring stability and care to the water projects.”

WATERisLIFE

WATERisLIFE serves vulnerable communities through personalized ways to access clean, safe water. For instance, they implement Sunspring Filtration Systems purifying dirty water from rivers and rain-catching wells, while building hand pumps from clean water sources underground. Furthermore, they drill the soil in the best spots for clean water, based on local geology, and protect rainwater systems made by locals against contamination threats and animals. They also give locals Clean Sip Straw Filters and Bucket Filter Systems to help them have portable and simple methods to purify unsafe water.

Since their founding, WATERisLIFE has provided 6 billion liters of safe drinking water among 1,5 million people across 30 different countries. For example, in 2021 and 2022, they helped over 50,000 people from 8 countries to access clean water through 7 individualized methods, including 3,600 straw filters and 1,300 bucket filters, which, across their lifespan, helped locals to drink over 477,000,000 liters of clean water. 

You can donate to WATERisLIFE on their website. You can also join them as an activist and ambassador for their cause, or contribute to one of their fundraising campaigns. 

Splash: We Clean Water for Kids

Splash was founded in 2007 by Eric Stowe to design child-focused water and sanitation solutions in underserved cities worldwide. Today, they lead a social movement to ensure that children in urban poverty have the resources they need to thrive and realize their full potential.

Splash has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We focus on children because they are the most vulnerable to waterborne illness. Kids living in urban poverty have no option but to drink unsafe water or use dirty toilets. The issue isn’t technology; it’s justice.”

Splash

Splash fights to improve the quality and availability of clean water in the world’s poorest metropolises. To ensure that projects are high-quality, they provide ultra-filtration water systems manufactured by a US company serving businesses worldwide. They also ensure that each filter is durable, low-maintenance, and meets all WHO Guidelines for drinking water quality. Furthermore, they support households and schools with water storage systems and drinking stations to increase the availability of clean water across cities. In addition, they train local mechanics and provide technical assistance and quality testing to make the projects sustainable.

Since their founding, Splash has supported over 1 million children and families in 8 countries across Asia and Africa. Through this, they have reached 2,400 schools, orphanages, hospitals, and shelters with critical water filtration systems. For example, in 2021, in Ethiopia, they installed 134 water filters and 1,200 drinking stations in 84 schools, reaching 170,000 adults and students. In the same year, in Bangladesh, they supported nearly 80,000 people in need by providing 450 drinking stations and 145 water filters across 211 child-caring institutions. They also invested over $9,6 million across their water and sanitation programs.

You can donate to Splash on their website. You can also support their work by starting a fundraiser, applying for a job, or following their social accounts.

Safe Water Network: Solving the Global Water Crisis through Innovation and Collective Action

The Safe Water Network was founded in 2006 by actor Paul Newman and a group of civic leaders to serve communities in developing economies with restricted access to safe water. Today, they work to restore autonomy and agency to disadvantaged people by providing high-quality water, education, and capacity building.

The Safe Water Network has a 93% encompass score for Finance and Accountability from Charity Navigator. They also hold the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We envision a world with healthy, thriving communities sustainably managing their own safe water.”

Safe Water Network

The Safe Water Network builds water systems by partnering directly with individuals and governments to ensure long-lasting impact. They do this by collaborating with local water and sanitation experts to give technical assistance and install water-sourcing systems. Moreover, they train locals to operate and manage clean water projects while establishing local committees to provide oversight and support for the new technology. They also run Digital Operating Platforms to provide long-distance machine monitoring. In addition, they teach women to be safe water advocates in their local communities. 

Since their founding, the Safe Water Network has served 1,7 million people from nearly 500 communities in India and Ghana by providing safe water solutions. Through this, they have installed 450 clean water stations and nearly 2,500 piped infrastructures to ensure sustainable health impact. To do this, they have been checking 30 parameters of water quality for each station. Furthermore, they have trained 1,700 locals to monitor the systems and advocate for sanitation policies. Additionally, in 2021, they built 1,000 solar panels and 480 automatic dispensers to reach secluded communities with clean water.

You can donate to the Safe Water Network on their website. You can also contribute by participating in their fundraising events or joining their team. In addition, you can start a corporate partnership. 

Blood:Water – Ending Health Disparities One Drop At A Time

Blood:Water was founded in 2004 by the Grammy Award-winning band Jars of Clay and activist Jena Lee Nardella to address Africa’s water and HIV/AIDS crises through their common cause – unclean water. Today, they commit to eight-year funding cycles with local organizations that create lasting impact in local communities. 

Blood:Water has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We want to share in the joy of ending the water & HIV/AIDS crises – with our partners and in this lifetime.”

Blood:Water

Blood:Water partners with African organizations to end water and HIV/AIDS health struggles by expanding access to safe water and creating a dramatic impact on slowing disease progression. For this, the charity commits to eight-year partnerships with local communities to ensure their projects remain sustainable for generations. They also choose community-driven partners to better bond with the locals and have durable outcomes for water systems. In addition, they apply a specific development framework for their water projects to ensure their funds are used purposefully. 

Since their founding, Blood:Water has partnered with 33 organizations across 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, offering better water and life quality to under-served communities. They have also raised more than $40 million through the grassroots efforts of tens of thousands of individuals seeking to make a difference. For example, in 2022, they constructed 212 functional water points providing more than 14,000 people with access to clean water. In the same year, they held nearly 12,000 hygiene trainings to support 105,000 individuals to practice proper hygiene.

You can donate to Blood:Water on their website. You can also contribute by starting a personal fundraiser or joining their inspiring online community. 

Helvetas: No Life Without Water

Helvetas was founded in 1955 by a group of professionals in Switzerland to offer aid to disadvantaged and poor communities in Nepal. Today, they support vulnerable people in developing countries to improve their living conditions and have their human rights respected, including the right to safe water. 

Their US branch, Helvetas USA, has a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We are committed to a just world in which all people determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner.”

Helvetas

Helvetas works to implement and manage water sources in underserved communities worldwide. In addition, they support households in adopting healthy behaviors to preserve water quality at the point of consumption. Furthermore, they raise awareness of water hygiene and sanitation practices, while supporting disadvantaged communities to build wells and latrines. They also collaborate with local water experts to tackle the root causes of unsafe water and sanitation to solve the issue sustainably.  

Since their inception, Helvetas has continued to support communities worldwide in accessing clean drinking water. For example, in 2022, they helped nearly 1.4 million people to access safe water sources, with more than half of the projects being in Africa. In the same year, their project in Vietnam made safe drinking water consumption increase to more than 90% among locals. Furthermore, they trained 40,000 households and 30,000 children on how to disinfect solar water and sustainably maintain their water supplies. 

You can donate to Helvetas on their website. In addition, you can start a partnership to grow your own philanthropic projects in the areas they work. 

H2O for Life: Engage. Educate. Inspire.

H2O for Life was founded in 2007 by Patty Hall and a group of committed parents and teachers to involve and educate young people on how to help overcome the global water crisis. Today, they raise awareness and funds to support the implementation of water, sanitation, and hygiene education projects for schools worldwide. 

H2O for Life has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We activate youth to help solve the global water crisis.”

H2O for Life

H2O for Life engages schools across the US in learning opportunities where students create activities that raise awareness and funds for vulnerable communities in need of safe water. For this, partner schools organize walks for water or water fairs, bucket drives, and a host of other events. Then the charity, together with the students, uses the raised money to finance water programs and systems in under-served schools worldwide. To support students in learning about the water crisis and offer help, the charity organizes K-12 Classroom Presentations and High School Fellowships. 

Since their founding, H2O for Life has helped nearly 1 million students to raise $4 million for water, sanitation, and hygiene education projects for vulnerable schools in the developing world. In this way, they have run 1,100 projects to give access to clean water and adequate sanitation to over 511,000 students in need worldwide. Moreover, they have partnered with almost 2,000 schools across the US to educate over 800,000 local students about the dangers of the water crisis and how to fight it. For example, throughout 2021 and 2022, they ran nearly 70 water projects across 12 countries and 4 continents.

You can donate to H2O for Life on their website. You can also support them by creating a fundraiser or buying their merchandise.  

Water4: Safe Water for Every Home, School, and Clinic

Water4 was founded in 2008 by Richard and Terry Greenly to eradicate the world water crisis. Today, the charity equips missional entrepreneurs in developing nations to create lasting economic, physical, and spiritual change through safe water solutions.

Water4 has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Why ‘4’? It stands for faith, innovation, reimagine and empower. They ignite and make FIRE — powering our vision for a world where safe and living water is available for all.”

Water4

Water4 partners with local entrepreneurs who use donations to operate water service businesses. Local people sustain the businesses by paying affordable rates for safe water. In addition, they help businesses with technical and geological training to find the best places and techniques that bring clean water to locals. They also provide individualized construction designs for water systems and training for efficient drilling methods. Moreover, they monitor long-term functionality and water quality while providing expert technicians to support locals in implementing their own water services. 

Since their founding, Water4 has directly provided more than 2,1 million people with clean drinking water through 9,500 water projects and employed hundreds of people in local water service businesses. Today, they are working in 20 districts across 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, impacting a total of 7 million children, women and men. For example, in 2022, they served over 260,000 underserved locals with 1,700 new water projects. In the same year, they delivered safe water to more than 735,000 homes, schools, and medical clinics. In addition, from 2018 to 2022, they built 250 water points in Uganda which served nearly 43,500 locals with clean water.

You can donate to Water4 on their website. In addition, you can start a fundraiser or participate in their Walk4Water4 event. 

The Water Project: Providing Access to Clean Water in Africa

The Water Project was founded in 2006 by Peter Chasse to travel and complete a water initiative after a natural disaster in Kenya. Today, they provide reliable water projects to communities in sub-Saharan Africa who suffer from a lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation.

The Water Project has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Lack of access to safe water and proper sanitation limits education and food production, it harms health and leads to a cycle of poverty. We believe local in-country solutions can end the water crisis, one partnership at a time.”

The Water Project

The Water Project collaborates with local community leaders to implement sustainable water systems. They also educate the villages about the importance and impact of safe water and sanitation to ensure they use the new technologies they receive. In addition, they work with local geologists and governments to find the best spots to drill underground water and install the right water projects. For example, they design water wells and create protective reservoirs for naturally flowing springs. They also build sand dams and catchment tanks that collect and filter rainwater. In addition, they make follow-up inspections to monitor the quality of their projects.

Since their founding, the Water Project has implemented water solutions in over 1,000 communities from 6 African countries and India. Through this, they have impacted nearly 790,000 underserved people by installing 2,160 water points for proper drinking solutions. For example, in 2021, they invested nearly $3,8 million in 230 new water projects that gave nearly 100,000 people access to safe water and sanitation. Moreover, they have designed a live map that constantly tracks working water points to ensure long-distance monitoring of their projects and provide transparency for the public. 

You can donate to the Water Project on their website. You can also contribute by starting a corporate sponsorship or fundraising. In addition, you can directly sponsor individual water projects.

Thirst Project: Fighting for Universal Access to Clean Water

The Thirst Project was founded in 2008 by Seth Maxwell and a group of seven friends, while they were in college, to raise awareness of the water crisis among fellow students and schools nationwide. Today, they are the world’s largest youth water organization and implement freshwater wells to improve the health of impoverished communities. 

The Thirst Project has a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We work with the support of young people to END the global water crisis and stop easily preventable youth deaths caused by waterborne diseases.”

The Thirst Project

The Thirst Project works with community members to implement the best-fitting water-sourcing method. For example, they build hand-pump freshwater wells that don’t rely on any external source of power and can be affordably maintained by local communities. They also train locals to repair and monitor the wells to keep them functional for more than 40 years. Moreover, if underground water is unsafe, they install individual Bio-Sand Water Filters in households to filter the water they take from unprotected sources. They also build rain catchment systems and spring conservation tanks in more water-scarce areas. 

Since their founding, the Thirst Project has built or funded 3,350 water projects in 13 countries, helping over 510,000 people to access clean water solutions. For example, in 2019, they invested over $860,000 in 117 water projects that served 60,000 individuals in Kenya, Uganda, El Salvador, and the Kingdom of eSwatini. In the same year, they implemented 91 water filtration systems that provided safe water to 46,000 individual households in the Kingdom of eSwatini. They also built 13 water projects that served 6,500 community members in Uganda. 

You can donate to the Thirst Project on their website. In addition, you can join an internship, shop on their online store, or fundraise. 

Pure Water for the World: Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All

Pure Water for the World was founded in 1994 as a project of the Rotary Club in Vermont, US, to empower people with access to life’s basic necessities: safe water, sanitation, and hygiene education. Today, they partner with underserved communities in Central America to establish sustainable, individualized water projects.

Pure Water for the World has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We are committed to ending the senseless suffering and death among children and their families caused by preventable waterborne diseases.”

Pure Water for the World

Pure Water for the World runs individualized water programs for each community they serve and ensure they remain functional for generations. They do this by working closely with community members to teach tools and knowledge to self-manage their water projects. In addition, the charity helps build various water systems based on local needs, such as community water filters, underground pipes, or rainwater harvesting systems. They also support latrine-building and local education for proper sanitation and hygiene practices. Moreover, they run evaluation and monitoring programs for the systems to keep them sustainable. 

Since their founding, Pure Water for the World has served more than 750 communities across Haiti and Honduras and empowered locals with the necessary tools to have safe water. For example, in 2021, they helped implement almost 1,200 Ceramic water filters and 421 Biosand Water Filters, while building 26 Rainwater Harvesting Systems. In this way, they served nearly 25,000 individuals from 1,700 families and 32 schools across 20 communities. In the same year, they ran 160 hygiene and sanitation workshops. They also gave technical support for water systems to nearly 200 locals and continued monitoring the systems in 560 homes and 2 schools. 

You can donate to Pure Water for the World on their website. You can also contribute by partnering your organization with them or following their Twitter and Facebook pages. 

Water for Good: Clean and Lasting Water for the People

Water for Good was founded in 2004 by Jim Hocking, to build water solutions that would be sustainable and could withstand political upheaval in the Central African Republic. Today, their water wells help Central Africans to stay healthy, generate more income, and make a difference in their communities.

Water for Good has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Let’s end the water crisis in our lifetimes. Water services that last for good can’t wait.”

Water for Good

Water for Good takes an area-wide approach to designing their water wells to have the most significant impact, designed for the local water needs. To do this, they install a combination of handpumps for villages and solar-powered pump systems for larger communities. The installation process includes community meetings, drillings, and hygiene education classes. Moreover, the charity trains water managers and special Maintenance Teams to perform regular service visits, while helping the locals with restocking spare parts of the systems and supply-chain logistics.

Since their founding, Water for Good has helped more than 880,000 locals in the Central African Republic to gain access to safe drinking water through 1,800 water wells which their maintenance teams keep active over 90% of the time. For example, in 2022, they invested $773,000 in almost 4,000 maintenance visits across 24,000 miles of land in the Central African Republic. In the same year, they funded nearly $3.4 million for new water wells and built 90 tap stands and handpumps, along with 12 solar-powered pump systems. 

You can donate to Water for Good on their website. You can also support them through employer-matched donations or by shopping for their merchandise. 

33 Buckets: Creating Sustainable Access to Clean Water

33 Buckets was founded in 2015 by a group of engineering students to create a solution and empower people across the world to solve global water issues. Today, they partner with communities in need of clean water to launch self-sustaining community water systems.

33 Buckets holds the Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We are working hand-in-hand with each community to deliver human-centered solutions that inspire hope and confidence.”

33 Buckets

33 Buckets partners with small, rural communities that lack the resources to achieve and maintain clean water access. Furthermore, they directly collaborate with community leaders to implement filtration systems for households and schools or even community-wide treatment systems. Moreover, the charity increases local knowledge of water quality maintenance, with educational material and training for both water managers and the general population. In this way, they ensure that locals can sustainably manage their water filters and foster a culture that values clean water and sanitation.

Since their inception, 33 Buckets have served over 7,100 vulnerable people from 15 communities with vital water projects that give access to safe drinking water. For example, in 2020, they served 1,500 people from 2 communities in Peru and helped build household water filtration systems for 270 families. Furthermore, in 2021, they invested almost $55,000 in their water programs and helped implement new water systems for 4,200 people.

You can donate to 33 Buckets on their website. You can also contribute by subscribing to their newsletter or joining their volunteering and internship programs. 

Generosity Global: Clean Water, Women’s Health & Hygiene

Generosity Global was founded in 2010 by Rich and Erika Akwo to bring like-minded people across public and private sectors together to drastically impact the lives of vulnerable communities. Today, they improve community health and sanitation to reclaim the water-related lost time and effort of mothers and children across African villages.

Generosity Global has a 100% score for Impact & Results from Charity Navigator and holds the Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We are using the power of generosity to improve the quality of life for people around the world.”

Generosity Global

Generosity Global works with the support of local governments to bring solutions for safe drinking water. To do this, they study the geology of the location to determine which water project would best fit the needs of the community. Furthermore, they install all necessary types of water systems and organize water management committees to educate locals about the importance of sanitation and hygiene practices. In addition, they train community members on how to maintain and repair the water systems to ensure they remain sustainable for generations. 

Since their founding, Generosity Global has given access to clean water to over 70,000 people across rural Africa through 24 water projects. In addition, they have trained 85 local leaders to educate communities about the importance of sanitation and hygiene. They have also helped local schools to have a 30% increase in attendance by implementing school-based water systems. For example, in 2021, they installed water points and solar-powered water pumps that benefitted 10,000 locals and 5,000 college students. In the same year, the communities they collaborated with had a 50% decrease in sick children suffering from water-related illnesses.
Ways to contribute: You can donate to Generosity Global on their website. You can also support them by buying their merchandise or watching their podcast.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that fight for clean water. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarise yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. The charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to fighting for clean water – based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

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