charity: water, a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people around the world, today announced the launch of a grassroots fundraising campaign as it accelerates its mission to end the global water crisis. Running in the United States throughout September 2023, the campaign will galvanize participation and activity with limited-edition merchandise, product discounts, and unique experiences fundraisers can unlock as they raise money to help more people get clean water. Notably, fundraisers will also have the opportunity to apply for an all-expenses-paid trip with the charity: water team to meet their local partners and see the impact of clean water for themselves.
“We’ve brought clean water to more than 17 million people in just under two decades, but the fact remains that over 700 million still lack consistent access to one of life’s most basic needs: water,” said Brady Josephson, VP of Marketing & Growth at charity: water. “We know and have seen that people, usually women and girls, will do whatever it takes to get clean water when they don’t have it. This campaign will rally our community of supporters to do something, anything, to fundraise in the month of September, with 100% of all donations directly helping more people get this life-changing gift.”
At the end of the campaign, the fundraiser who raises the most will win a trip for two to New York City to attend charity: water’s annual event to hear stories of impact, meet founder Scott Harrison, and connect with other supporters. The top five fundraisers will receive a year’s worth of free coffee from Volcanica Coffee and a pair of shoes from On. And as soon as anyone raises more than $40 — enough to provide clean water to one person — they’ll begin to unlock merchandise and discounts from Just Fun Socks, Corkcicle, and Solgaard, in addition to charity: water. These rewards and experiences are made possible due to in-kind donations and charity: water’s unique funding model. A group of private donors, called The Well, covers all operating expenses — including its New York event, the field trip, and merchandise. This enables every penny donated or fundraised by the public to directly fund water projects.
Any donor who raises at least $1 in September and/or is an active member of The Spring, charity: water’s monthly giving community, will be invited to submit an application to see how their fundraising is making a difference firsthand. Applications and interviews will be conducted by the charity: water team to choose two participants for the trip in 2024.
“Earlier this year we asked our supporters what would most inspire them to fundraise for clean water, and the resounding answer was the ability to see their impact through our work,” Josephson continued. “Thanks to our partners and Well members we are in a position to offer this opportunity to anyone who fundraises, not just the individual who raises the most. We believe every fundraiser deserves to see how they are personally making an impact and wanted to make this once-in-a-lifetime chance available to all.”
About charity: water
charity: water is a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people around the world. With powerful storytelling and a radically transparent model that ensures 100% of every public donation funds clean water, charity: water has mobilized supporters from more than 150 countries to help end the water crisis. They work exclusively with experienced local partners to build sustainable, community-owned water projects and prove each one with innovative technology. Since 2006 in New York and 2017 in London, charity: water has funded over 135,000 water projects in nearly 30 countries to help more than 17.4 million people get access to clean water, hygiene, and improved sanitation.