Access to safe water turns poverty into possibility

Today, 2.2 billion people — 1 in 4 — lack access to safe water and 3.5 billion people — 2 in 5 — lack access to a safe toilet. The water crisis negatively impacts the health and livelihood of more than one-third of our global population. We exist to change this.

For millions of women, children, and communities, access to safe water can turn problems into potential — unlocking education, economic opportunity, and improved health.

  • 1990

    A humble beginning

    Gary created WaterPartners International to help Latin American communities impacted by the water crisis.

    Waterorg_WaterPartners_Logo.jpg

    Woman carries a water vessel on her head in Honduras.
  • 2003

    A new solution - WaterCredit

    We created the WaterCredit Initiative®, making loans for water and sanitation accessible to families living in poverty around the world.

    Water.org Co-founder Gary White speaking to a man in India.
  • 2009

    Water.org is born

    After meeting at an international summit on global poverty, Gary and Matt discovered their approaches and strengths complemented each other – and Water.org was born.

    Water.org Co-founders Matt Damon and Gary White in India.
  • 2017

    Unlocking the flow of capital

    We established WaterEquity to harness the power of impact investing and provide more capital to fund the water and sanitation loan portfolios of our partners.

    Women exchange money in Kenya.
  • 2024

    Solving the next challenge

    We launched WaterConnect to help develop infrastructure projects to reach even more people in need of climate-resilient safe water and sanitation solutions.

    A construction worker uses a wrench to connect a water pipeline.
  • 2025

    Scaling our impact

    Our smart solutions are working and scaling at an unprecedented rate. We've now reached more than 73 million people, 9.7 million in the past year alone.

    Woman holds a silver water vessel in India.
Making every dollar count

Committed to financial transparency

As experts in finance, we are dedicated to doing the most good with your donations. We have a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and publish an annual report that details how and where your donations are making a difference.

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Share our vision

Share our vision

We envision a day when everyone, everywhere has access to safe water and sanitation. We seek to do more, faster, and in partnership with others to unlock the flow of financing for water and sanitation.

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News, press and perspectives

As leaders in the water and sanitation sector, Water.org works around the world to educate, influence, and empower. Go here for timely information on topics related to our work.

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Young boy walking on the road in front of shops in Kenya.

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