Wikipedia

Water.org

Water.org is an international nonprofit organization that helps people living in poverty get access to safe water and improved sanitation through affordable financing. This organization was founded by Matt Damon and Gary White.

Water.org
Formation2009 (1990 as WaterPartners)
TypeDevelopmental aid organization
58-2060131
Executive Director
Gary White
Key people
Websitewater.org Edit this at Wikidata

Water.org currently works in 11 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America: Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.

Description

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In 1990, Gary White founded WaterPartners International.[1] White had observed that people were paying high prices for water, whether paying a local water vendor or paying with their time by walking to collect water. He had an idea to loan people the money upfront for them to finance the purchase and installation of a water tap or toilet.[2] In 2008, the first loans for water connections and toilets were distributed in India.[3]

Water.org utilizes microfinancing solutions to help people in need of loans for water and sanitation.[4] Water.org partners with local financial institutions in the countries they work in to add water and sanitation loans to their portfolios.[5]

Many families cannot pay to connect to local water networks. A loan for water allows families to connect to a water supply and even get a faucet inside their home. This saves families money from paying large portions of their income to a water vendor. It also results in women and children having more time to attend work and school that was previously spent walking to collect water.[6]

Corporate partnerships

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Water.org has partnered with corporate sponsors to promote awareness and raise funds.[7] 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.

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.[8][9][10]

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.[11] Each purchase would help Water.org provide up to five years of clean water for one person in the developing world.[12][13][14]

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."[15][16][17][18]

Janji works with water.org in Haiti.[citation needed]

Ratings

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As of December 2020, Charity Navigator gave the organization 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 95.75 out of 100. Water.org has received a 4 out of 4 star rating for 11 years.[19] The organization is recognized as an accredited charity by the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance,[20] and has a "Platinum Seal of Transparency" from Guidestar.[21]

Awards

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  • 2019 Global Global Water Awards: Water Company of the Year[22]
  • 2020 CNN Heroes[23]
  • International Peace Award - Community of Christ - 2019[24]
  • Forbes 400 Lifetime Achievement Award for Social Entrepreneurship - 2017[25]
  • World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Water – 2014[26]
  • Crystal Award winner from the World Economic Forum – 2014[27]
  • Environmental Media Award from The Environmental Media Association – 2013[28]
  • Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur – 2012[29]
  • TIME 100 list of the world’s most influential people – 2011[30]
  • Skoll Foundation Social Entrepreneur – 2009[31]
  • Philanthropy World Hall of Fame – 2008[32]

References

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  1. ^ Sudekum Fisher, Maria (July 15, 2009). "Damon joins K.C. organization to provide for developing communities". Associated Press. Retrieved June 2, 2022 – via Missourian.
  2. ^ Porgas, Seth (January 26, 2017). "Water.org Cofounders Matt Damon & Gary White: Corporate Partnerships Are The Future Of Charity". Forbes. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  3. ^ McGirt, Ellen (2015). "Water.org Cofounders Matt Damon and Gary White are empowering the planet one tap at a time" (PDF). Tempus. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Brinton, Carlson. "World Water Day 2021: Water.org Is Fighting to End the Water Crisis". Green Living Magazine. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  5. ^ Revkin, Andrew (29 September 2009). "Matt Damon's Quest for Clean African Water". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  6. ^ Brinton, Carlson. "World Water Day 2021: Water.org Is Fighting to End the Water Crisis". Green Living Magazine. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  7. ^ "Partners".
  8. ^ "PepsiCo Foundation expands commitment to Water.org with $8 million contribution to scale "WaterCredit" across India". Water.org. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Why Matt Damon and Gary White of Water.org are friends of PepsiCo". youtube.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  11. ^ "Stella Artois Limited Edition Chalice at Water.org (Matt Damon)". youtube.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "Stella Artois Chalices". Water.org. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  14. ^ "Stella Artois: Give the gift of time (Matt Damon for Water.org)". youtube.com. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  15. ^ Conway, Jeff. "Matt Damon announces Water.org partnership with Crypto.com". forbes.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  16. ^ Bhasin, Kim (October 28, 2021). "Matt Damon is the Face of Crypto.com". Bloomberg.
  17. ^ "Fortune Favours the Brave – Crypto.com". youtube.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  18. ^ "The making of Fortune Favours the Brave – Crypto.com". youtube.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  19. ^ "Charity Navigator: Water.org". Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Give.org: Water.org". Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  21. ^ "Guidestar: Water.org". Guidestar. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  22. ^ "GWI Announces Winners of the 2019 Global Water Awards". WWD Magazine. April 25, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  23. ^ "Angela Bassett, Orlando Bloom and Gal Gadot Among the Celebrity Presenters for the 14th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute". CNN. 1 December 2020. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  24. ^ "International Peace Award". Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  25. ^ "Forbes Hosts Sixth Annual Forbes 400 Summit On Philanthropy In Honor Of Its 100th Anniversary". Forbes. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  26. ^ "Water.org News, Press & Perspectives". Water.org. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  27. ^ Schwab, Hilde (21 January 2014). "Meet the 2014 Crystal Award winners". WE Forum. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  28. ^ "EMA Awards - Past Recipients and Honorees". EMA.
  29. ^ "Awards: Social Entrepreneur". Schwab Foundation.
  30. ^ Danson, Ted (21 April 2011). "Matt Damon and Gary White". Time. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  31. ^ "2009 SKOLL AWARDS FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP". Skoll foundation. 26 March 2009.
  32. ^ "Water.org News, Press & Perspectives". Water.org. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
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