charity: water

I've read their founder Scott Harrison's book, Thirst, and I have to say their story is as incredible as the work they do!

Hold on a minute, folks. This is way too shiny to be legit.

After watching its slick, tug-at-the-heartstrings promotional video, my suspicion was raised. This is based on my understanding of the challenges of implementing water & sanitation projects through 10+ years working in the humanitarian sector for reputable humanitarian agencies such as Oxfam, Red Cross and CARE.

"Nightclub-promoter-turned-benevolent-humanitarian" Scott Harrison has a compelling story, but dig a bit deeper into some of the analysis of how charity:water works - including the myth that 100% direct donations goes to projects - and the shine starts to come off this PR-company-come-charity's activities.

For a start, no charity can operate without overheads (professional salaries, keeping the lights on, fuel, vehicles etc). Most try to keep it to a realistic 10%, but varies depending on the context. I found some info saying that charity-water's overheads are 25-31%. That's very high! Whether "your" donation or a private organisation's donation is used, it's still charity: water's money.

I also searched for information on their website about their impact on the people of their 30,000+ 'projects' (by which I assume each individual well or pump counts as one project). This is at the hear of what humanitarian assistance should be about - how all this investment (of YOUR money) helps the people it's going to - and found nothing. Sure, their financial statements have been rubber-stamped by KPMG, but what really is your 100% direct (questionable) donation really doing to help provide water to thirsty people?

It's worth reading others' analysis of charity:water to balance your view.

https://theurgetohelp.com/articles/a-critical-investigation-of-charity-waters-effectiveness-as-a-clean-water-provider-in-sub-saharan-africa/

https://truthout.org/articles/the-problem-with-charity-water/

There are many others.

I don't buy it, and perhaps you might want to consider whether you want to either. Your money, though.

I have seen various posts on Face Book where friends have ask for donations to charity water instead of gifts to their birthdays. I find this exceptionally good where we in the western world who has everything can give to Charity water who have my 100% trust they will pass on all your money to the villages they provide clean water to.

I am in the process of launching a project / company to do amazingly good for the poorest people in the world. Including providing clean with water - healthy food - education - energy - stimulate entrepreneurship so I really enjoy all the articles and videos I have seen by Charity Water.

I really like this youtube video where founder Scott Harrison tell his story from the start to where Charity Water is today. Truly inspiring story on how to set up a charity where 100% of the money you donate go to the villages they support.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbPRrwFHKXQ

Very inspiring organisation.

Thanks
Erik Dvergsnes.

Great job to Scott and his team for a job well done!

i have done quite a bit of research into this organization and some things about their approach are very unique. They started out by looking at what was wrong with charities in general and addressing those issues (transparency, accountability, engagement, embracing technology). On top of that water is oen of the bigest if not the biggest issue facing the world today. It has tremendous ripple effects on a group of people.

Charity: Water has provided a cost effective way to combat one of the most serious and solvable problems in the world today. I spent quite a bit of time researching this group before we donated and everything looks in order. The work done per dollar is almost unmatched in the world of charities today, it really makes me happy to think that $20 could make a noticeable multi-year impact on another person. The cost effectiveness of the organization is demonstrated on Charity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12548) where we see an 87+% efficiency (money that goes to actual program expenses) and an excellent transparency rating. I also think that showing the locations of all their projects is an excellent exercise in donor transparency and demonstrating impact (see "Proving It": http://www.charitywater.org/projects/map/).

Concerning our personal experience: My wife and I sponsored a well (more info: http://www.charitywater.org/donate/sponsor-a-project) and Charity: Water has kept in touch with hand written letters and additional status reports on the project we helped fund. The ground-work is being completed for a well in India as we speak.

This may be my very favorite charity as an "Impact Investor". For people looking to save lives and provide quality of life in exchange for dollars I recommend Chairty: Water, perhaps above all others.

I have been volunteering for Charity Water for five years and they are a top notch organization. They are very prudent with their expenses and use an extensive volunteer base whenever possible. I have worked for dozens of other charities throughout the years and Charity Water is hands down the best experience I have had with non-profits.

I just found out about this charity through my professor at the University. It is actually amazing what people can achieve if they have access to water. Congratulations to founder and would try to find some ways to help.

When I found out that charity:water received a four star rating from Charity Navigator, it came as no surprise. This charity is the most diligent, transparent and accountable organization that I know. Not only that, they really are sincere and compassionate about their cause.

A few things that really stand out to me about charity:water -

Their Cause - We all experience hunger and the cold of winter, and when it comes to charities, those are the types we easily connect with. Clean water, on the other hand, is something we have never had to go without and often times forget that it's a luxury that a billion people don't have. charity:water reminds us this and how something so simple, can save so many lives.

Transparency - Their split funding model lets me know that every dollar I donate or raise will go to providing clean water to people. And now, with their new Dollars to Projects program, I'll be able to see exactly which water project my donations help make happen. I really like this because with most charities you never really know the true impact of your donations, but with charity:water I do.

Engagement - I love how charity:water engages their donors. After I did a campaign on mycharitywater.org I felt as if I was a part of charity:water and not just a donor. I think they go out of their way to make their campaign fundraisers feel appreciated. I really liked the thank you videos they did at http://www.youtube.com/user/charitywaterthanks

All in all, this is great organization filled with people passionate about what they do.

This organization sets the gold standard for raising money for a cause, period. On top of that, they have laser sharp focus on their mission: To bring clean water to the world. Donations are tracked specifically to each well or piece of equipment purchased. Their staff is full of creative ideas - and they have fun at work!

Hey, these folks are doing great work bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.