About Waterorg
Water.org is a global nonprofit organization working to bring water and sanitation to the world by removing barriers between people living in poverty and access to safe water and sanitation solutions.
Focus Areas
water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)microfinance / small loans for household water and sanitationimpact investing / capital mobilizationinfrastructure project developmentpolicy, advocacy and systems-level engagement
Who They Fund
communities affected by water scarcity (global)water-focused social enterprises and NGOssocial impact investors and finance intermediaries (as partners/intermediaries)
Funding Style
operational support
About Waterorg
Waterorg’s recent grants show a repeat commitment to Waterequity Inc in Kansas City, where three consecutive awards supported operating costs tied to connecting social impact investors to water solutions. That pattern points to a funder that uses grants to move capital, not only to fund direct service delivery. Waterorg’s work centers on safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, with a strong emphasis on microfinance, capital mobilization, and systems-level engagement. Through its WaterCredit Initiative, the foundation works with local partners such as microfinance institutions, banks, NGOs, and other implementing organizations to help build small, affordable loans for household water and sanitation. The foundation also operates through Water.org, a global nonprofit organization focused on removing barriers between people living in poverty and access to safe water and sanitation solutions. That structure helps explain why its grants are tied to technical assistance, partner support, and finance-oriented infrastructure for water access. In the recent grant record, the same Kansas City recipient appears across multiple years, suggesting an ongoing relationship rather than isolated project funding.
What Waterorg Funds
A major part of Waterorg’s giving is tied to financing systems for water access. Its WaterCredit Initiative supports local partners to establish and scale small loans for household water and sanitation, and the program is built around technical assistance plus connections and resources for lending partners. The foundation also funds work connected to social impact investment. In 2024, it gave $2,000,000 to Waterequity Inc for operating costs to connect with social impact investors to help resolve the global water crisis. A similar grant in 2023 went to the same recipient for the same purpose, showing continuity in this financing-focused work. Waterorg’s broader focus includes water, sanitation and hygiene, infrastructure project development, policy, advocacy, and systems-level engagement. Those priorities align with grants that support partners and intermediaries rather than direct individual aid.
How Waterorg Gives
Waterorg’s grant sizes are tightly clustered: the 25th percentile is $1,800,000, the median is $2,000,000, and the 75th percentile is $2,030,102. That points to a fairly consistent large-grant pattern rather than widely varying award sizes. The foundation also makes program-related investments and does not fund individuals. Recent awards show recurring support to the same recipient across 2023, 2024, and 2025, indicating an ongoing relationship. Its active WaterCredit Initiative is partner-based and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$1.6M
Total Assets
$49.8M
Total Revenue
$31.3M
Total Expenses
$37.1M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $1.8M and $2M, with a median of $2M.
25th Percentile
$1.8M
Median
$2M
75th Percentile
$2M
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
GARY WHITE
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