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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: August 2025 Expires: August 2027

charity:water

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

Accreditation seal
230 Franklin Road, Suite 11-II
Franklin, TN, 37064

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

charity:water meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to bring clean and safe drinking water to people around the world."

Year, State Incorporated:
2006, NY

Also Known As:
Charity Global

charity: water works with local partners to bring clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. The organization reports that it inspires giving and empowers others to fundraise for sustainable water solutions. charity:water indicates that donations are sent to local partner organizations, who build and implement water projects. The organization reports that when the water projects are completed, charity: water proves every one of them using GPS coordinates, photos, and information about the community served.

For the year ended September 30, 2024, charity:water's program expenses were:

Program services: $67,492,299

Total Program Expenses: $67,492,299

Chief Executive
Scott Harrison, Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$385,875

Chair of the Board
Brook Hazelton

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Group Executive Director - Investments, Arrow Global

Board Size
12

Paid Staff Size
112

*2024 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation

Fundraising costs were 13% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $92,082,852, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on charity:water's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
In-kind donations $1,305,359
Other income $507,285
Investment return, net $12,305,721
Public support - Individuals $58,229,617
Public support - Corporations $14,636,985
Public support - Foundations and other organizations $17,910,891
Total Income $104,895,858

Programs: 77% Fundraising: 13% Administrative: 10%

Total Income $104,895,858
Total expenses: $87,765,225
  Program expenses $67,492,299
  Fundraising expenses $11,552,982
  Administrative expenses $8,719,944
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $17,130,633
Beginning Net Assets $80,758,713
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $97,889,346
Total Liabilities $46,987,892
Total Assets $144,877,238

Note: According to the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2024, charity:water received in-kind goods and services of $1,305,359 including professional services ($986,709), advertising and promotions ($228,344), other ($66,028), and events ($24,278).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance