charity: water
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A BOLD IDEA:
ALWAYS USE 100% OF PUBLIC DONATIONS TO FUND CLEAN WATER PROJECTS IN THE FIELD.
When we started charity: water, we made a bold promise to the general public — 100% of their donations would go directly to the field to fund water projects. We'd find another way to cover our operating expenses. And we'd even reimburse credit card fees when donations were made online.

We depend on private donors, foundations and sponsors to cover everything from staff salaries to basic office systems to office rent and supplies. These donors are some of our most dedicated: their investment fuels our long-term mission, our ability to scale as an organization and our mission to continue using 100% of public donations for water projects.

Get an in-depth look at our financials in the 2010 Annual Report.



ANGEL INVESTORS:
MICHAEL & XOCHI BIRCH.
Our Angel Investors are donors who recognize the impact of a major gift to our operations. Like any startup business, we need investors to believe and invest in our business model. But we can't offer stock options or the promise of a big buyout; instead, our investors' ROI is measured in people served with access to clean water and basic sanitation.

Our largest operations gifts have come from entrepreneur and family man Michael Birch. In 2009, he not only generously donated $1 million in operations funding; he also promised to match funds raised at our annual gala -- again for operations. To date, Michael and his wife Xochi have invested more than $3 million towards charity: water's infrastructure. We're grateful for their belief in our work.



THE WELL.
Our goal for the 100% program model is ambitious. To support our growth, we bring together a like-minded community of business people and philanthropists to fund our operating budget on a regular basis. The Well is a membership program where donors give a set amount to our operating costs each year. Their support paves the way for us to continue doing what many said was impossible: scale the organization using our 100% model and give clean water to every single person on the planet.

CURRENT MEMBERS.
We're honored to have these current members of The Well. This list is updated at the end of each month.
$1,000,000+/YEAR $12,000+/YEAR
Michael & Xochi Birch
Neil Hutchinson

$250,000+/YEAR
Marissa Sackler

$120,000+/YEAR
Nelson Saiers
Philip & Donna Berber
Sean Parker

$60,000+/YEAR
Andrea Piana
David Kaplan
Matt Mullenweg

$24,000+/YEAR
Andrea & Mark Spears
Anoop Dhakad & Chitra Narasimhan
Anthony Scaramucci
Craig Hagelin
Fred Waldman
Gary Vaynerchuk
Jonathan & Lizzie Tisch
Kristin & Stephen Mugford
The Kwiat Family
Lawrence & Jennifer Clark
Matthew & Sarah Hasselbeck
Michael & Kimberly Wilkerson
Mitch Lowe & April Gargiulo
Rhonda & Ruddy Polhill
Shakil Khan
Steve & Karin Sadove
Suhail Rizvi
Warren Share
Winston Fisher
Adrian Grenier
Alan & Jane Batkin
Alan Ginsberg
Alastair Cairns
Anna Oetker
Ben Goldhirsh
Billy Connolly
Blake Mycoskie
Brant Cryder
Brenda & Steve Koinis
Brook & Erin Hazelton
Bruce Nelson
Charles Ebersol
Chris Sacca
Chuck & Joan Harrison
Courtney Nichols
Courtney & Carter Reum
Craig & Rachel Terrill
Dan Schulman
Darius Contractor
Davin Miyoshi
Dick Hillenbrand
Edward Norton
Erwin McManus
Gordon Gould
Jack Dorsey
James G. Kreissman
Jason Flom
Jason Fried
Jessica Stroup
Jim & Emily Scheinman
John Hayes
Josh Spear
Ken & Teri Hertz
Kevin McEvoy
Kevin Rose
Kuldeep Malkani
Lynne & Steve Foote
Mark & Jane Wilf
Meyrick & Janita Douglas
Michelle & Gene Lewis
Michelle Forrest
Mike Walsh
Nancy Duarte
Nav Sooch & Whitney Casey
Owen Brainard
Pankaj Shah
Penni Hirtenstein
Peter Barsoom
Ritu Baral
Ross & Laurie Garber
Shawn & Eileen Budde
Timm Oberwelland
Tyson Ritter
Veronica Belmont
Victor Oviedo
Vince Wadhwani
Virginia Clay
William Hyler

To request more information on The Well program, email thewell@charitywater.org.

OTHER FUNDING.
We also raise operations funding through foundations, in-kind donations and special events.
FOUNDATIONS
A few of the foundations that have funded our operations:
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
We partner with corporations for matching programs, public campaigns, employee engagement and other fundraising ideas tailored to the business' market and brand. To get your company involved, email corporategiving@charitywater.org.
» Select Equity Group » Heritage Mark Foundation
» Provision Foundation » Mortimer D. Sackler Foundation
» Bilger Foundation
GIFTS IN KIND
From technologies to office furniture, much of what our staff uses is donated by generous businesses. We're deeply grateful to those who provide equipment and materials to help us get the job done with quality and style. See our in-kind donors here >
CHARITY: BALL
Every December, we celebrate our year's work and fundraise even more for water projects at our annual gala. The ticket sales and sponsorships for our biggest event of the year help fund our organizational growth. Learn more about our charity: ball here >