Water1st International

What Water1st International does

Water1st International is a Seattle-based nonprofit that brings piped water and safe toilets into people's homes in low-income communities, instead of relying on a shared well or tap that may be a long walk away. Working since 2005, it currently funds projects in Bangladesh, Honduras and Kenya with local partner organizations, and says it has reached more than 294,000 people.

Its Bring Water Home model aims to deliver about 50 liters of water per person per day through household connections, paired with a toilet, and every system is metered and monitored. Water1st puts the cost of a household connection at roughly $500. It reports that 99% of its 5,000 projects are still operating, and credits working through local organizations that are rooted in, and accountable to, the communities they serve.

A tap at home removes the daily chore of hauling water; Water1st estimates its projects have saved 142 million hours of water collection. Charity Navigator gives it a four-star rating. Its online form runs on Givebutter, which suggests an optional tip to the platform that donors can adjust; Water1st also accepts donor-advised fund grants, stock, qualified charitable distributions and checks.

Key facts

• Reports that 99% of its 5,000 projects remain operational (Water1st 'Bring Water Home' page)
• 294,000+ people reached (Water1st homepage)
• A household water connection costs about $500 (Water1st homepage and donate page)
• Currently works in Bangladesh, Honduras and Kenya (Water1st site)

Before you give

• The online donation form (Givebutter) pre-fills an optional platform tip (15% noted on the page) — donors can adjust it to $0.
• Accepts monthly gifts, donor-advised funds, stock, qualified charitable distributions (IRA), checks and phone gifts (Water1st donate page).