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Water For People

Works to achieve lasting, universal water and sanitation coverage in entire districts across 10 countries through its "Everyone Forever" model, partnering with local governments, businesses, and communities.

Water For People won't leave until *everyone* — every family, clinic, and school in an entire district — has lasting water access.

You give directly to Water For People. randomcharity.com takes $0 and never touches your money.

What Water For People does

Water For People is a Colorado-based nonprofit that works toward lasting water and sanitation for whole regions rather than single villages. It was founded in 1991 by the American Water Works Association, and today focuses on 10 countries: Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru in Latin America; India; Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in East Africa; and the United States.

Its Everyone Forever approach aims to reach every family, school and health clinic in a district with water and sanitation that keeps working, and to leave local governments, businesses and communities able to sustain those services themselves. Since 2011 it has concentrated on nearly 40 partner areas, such as districts, municipalities and blocks, and helps nearly 130 more through partnerships and technical support, after working in more than 40 other countries in earlier years. It had reached 5.2 million people with reliable water services as of 2024, according to Wikipedia.

Charity Navigator currently shows a three-star rating for Water For People; the organization's donation page cites a long record of four-star ratings, so donors may see both. It is a US 501(c)(3), and gifts can be one-time or monthly, or made through donor-advised funds, stock or planned gifts. Canadian donors are directed to CanadaHelps.

Key facts

  • Founded in 1991 by the American Water Works Association (Wikipedia)
  • Focuses on 10 countries: Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, United States, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and India (Where We Work page)
  • Works in nearly 40 partner areas (18 districts/municipalities in Latin America, 11 districts in Africa, 10 blocks in India) and supports nearly 130 more through partnerships (Where We Work page)
  • Reached 5.2 million people with reliable water services as of 2024 (Wikipedia)

Before you give

  • Accepts one-time and monthly gifts, donor-advised funds, stock, tribute gifts, planned gifts and checks (Water For People donate page).
  • Canadian donors are directed to CanadaHelps (canada.waterforpeople.org).

Common questions

Is Water For People a legitimate charity?

Tax status: US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. It files with the IRS under EIN 84-1166148, and its annual returns are public on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer. Independent ratings — Charity Navigator: 3 of 4 stars. As with any charity, check its latest filings before a large gift.

Are donations to Water For People tax-deductible?

US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers.

Where does Water For People work?

Water For People works in 10 countries (Latin America, Africa, India, United States). It is based in Greenwood Village, CO.

How do I donate to Water For People?

Use the Donate button on this page — it goes straight to Water For People's own donation page on give.waterforpeople.org. randomcharity.com doesn't process payments, doesn't see your card details and takes no cut.

Sources

  1. waterforpeople.org/
  2. waterforpeople.org/where-we-work/
  3. give.waterforpeople.org/page/50578/donate/1
  4. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_For_People
  5. charitynavigator.org/ein/841166148
  6. projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/841166148

Profile researched and last reviewed September 2026. Ratings and figures change — the linked evaluator pages always show the current version.

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