Water.org
Encyclopedia
Water.org is an American
nonprofit
developmental aid organization
resulting from the merger between H2O Africa, co-founded by Matt Damon
, and WaterPartners
, co-founded by Gary White. Its goal is to provide aid to regions of developing countries that do not have access to safe drinking water
and sanitation
.
The organization conducts monitoring, evaluation, and original research programs. It has initiated third-party evaluations of its programs to determine how it is fulfilling its mission.
to fund water sanitation projects. Funding water supply projects through a combination of grants and loans is a new approach to the water sector. This strategy helps these people in need build credit for the future and also builds confidence in commercial institutions that are considering lending. Until recently, almost all water projects facilitated by other nongovernmental organizations have been funded entirely by grants, even when the individuals served by the project have the means to share costs.
Prior to its merger with Water.org, WaterPartners received grants from organizations such as the PepsiCo
Foundation, The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, and Open Square Foundation (previously called the Agora Foundation).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
nonprofit
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
developmental aid organization
Aid agency
An aid agency is an organisation dedicated to distributing aid. Many professional aid organisations exist, both within government , between governments as multilateral donors and as private voluntary organizations...
resulting from the merger between H2O Africa, co-founded by Matt Damon
Matt Damon
Matthew Paige "Matt" Damon is an American actor, screenwriter, and philanthropist whose career was launched following the success of the film Good Will Hunting , from a screenplay he co-wrote with friend Ben Affleck...
, and WaterPartners
WaterPartners
WaterPartners International was an American nonprofit developmental aid organization tasked with the specific purpose of providing safe drinking water and sanitation to people in developing countries...
, co-founded by Gary White. Its goal is to provide aid to regions of developing countries that do not have access to safe drinking water
Drinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
and sanitation
Sanitation
Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes. Hazards can be either physical, microbiological, biological or chemical agents of disease. Wastes that can cause health problems are human and animal feces, solid wastes, domestic...
.
Approach
Water.org's approach to implementing water projects involves four key components:- forging partnerships with local partner organizations in the countries it serves
- involving the community at each stage of the project
- selecting technology appropriate to the local community and their particular situation
- integrating all projects with health and hygiene education.
The organization conducts monitoring, evaluation, and original research programs. It has initiated third-party evaluations of its programs to determine how it is fulfilling its mission.
WaterCredit
Water.org's projects are funded through grants, loans, or a combination of the two. Its loan program, known as WaterCredit, utilizes microcreditMicrocredit
Microcredit is the extension of very small loans to those in poverty designed to spur entrepreneurship. These individuals lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history and therefore cannot meet even the most minimal qualifications to gain access to traditional credit...
to fund water sanitation projects. Funding water supply projects through a combination of grants and loans is a new approach to the water sector. This strategy helps these people in need build credit for the future and also builds confidence in commercial institutions that are considering lending. Until recently, almost all water projects facilitated by other nongovernmental organizations have been funded entirely by grants, even when the individuals served by the project have the means to share costs.
Prior to its merger with Water.org, WaterPartners received grants from organizations such as the PepsiCo
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
Foundation, The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, and Open Square Foundation (previously called the Agora Foundation).
External links
- Water.org
- World Water Day: A Billion People Worldwide Lack Safe Drinking Water, Larry White, About.com
- Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Awards $1 Million Grant to Innovative Nonprofit Solving Global Water Crisis, November 30, 2004.
- ONEXONEONEXONEONEXONE is a non-profit initiative based in Canada and the United States with the mission to preserve a basic quality of life for children locally and globally: because Hope Belongs to Everyone.- Operations :...