Philanthropy and trusts

Invest in WaterAid and you’ll be joining an established movement of philanthropists, trusts and foundations who share our vision of a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.

With all three, we can unlock progress for people, communities and economies worldwide. And with major investment, we can accelerate that progress and demand change on a global scale.

How can philanthropists and trusts work with WaterAid?

To reach everyone, everywhere, we need to increase the pace of change – and for that we need visionary individuals who share our values to join us on this journey.

We work with major donors, trusts and foundations to match their investment across our work.

Together, we find ways for these key partnerships to support a variety of approaches to tackling the water, sanitation and hygiene crisis: from building taps and toilets locally, to making sure those systems are improved regionally, to empowering civil society on the path to changing national policies.

With large-scale support, we can integrate our work across the many sectors in which WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) plays a fundamental role, from environment to education, climate change to health, and more.

However we work with you, we can offer opportunities to match your interests and expertise into our global programme, which operates across 26 countries.

Philanthropy

With a minimum commitment of £10,000 we'll work with you to match your giving strategy with our work, or explore options to create bespoke programming (when investing a minimum of £300,000 over three years).

Vonjy, 10, and Tahiana, 11, having fun and playing with water during their school break outside their school. Ankaditapaka primary school. Ambohibao Fokontany, Manjakandriana commune, Analamanga region, Madagascar, May 2019.

Trusts and foundations

With a minimum commitment of £10,000, your trust can support lasting change with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.

Norbert Randrianatoandro, 81, giving fresh water in a cup to one of his great grandchildren outside their home in Marinjara Fokontany, Manjakandriana commune, Analamanga region, Madagascar, November 2021.

Explore how we work with individuals and family foundations (philanthropy)

Explore investment opportunities for trusts

How can I ensure my support makes a lasting difference?

It’s not just about building taps and toilets.

We work with governments across the world to change laws, link national and international policymakers with people on the ground, and rally support from individuals and organisations around the world – so making lasting change happen on a massive scale.

Thanks to individuals like you, we're not only showing world leaders the transformation that can take place when the right investment is made in WASH, but the potential benefits for health, education and livelihoods, too.

Read our latest annual reports

Our fundraising promise

Investment in WASH can unlock trillions of dollars [for developing economies].*

*WaterAid (2021) Mission Critical: invest in water, sanitation and hygiene for a healthy and green economic recovery.

Clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene are at the very foundation of so many of today’s biggest challenges. With access to these essentials, we can transform people’s lives for good.

"We can achieve change on the scale we need to see by working together."

Tim Wainwright, Chief Executive, WaterAid UK

Change is not happening quickly enough

World leaders pledged to tackle world poverty by 2030 through the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Water and sanitation for all is a key goal – without it, several other goals cannot be achieved. To maximise our own impact and play our part, our new strategy will see us shift our weight to support the sustainable systems and bold policies that are needed to deliver universal access to water and sanitation.

About WaterAid

WaterAid is an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation.

Our work around the world

From our work in schools and healthcare centres to human rights and advocacy, we place water, sanitation and hygiene at the heart of development. Explore these stories below and see the potential for your impact:

Learn more about how we're run

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Puja, studying in class with her friend Kiran, Nepal.

Dirty water affects everyone, but in schoools it's girls who miss out the most when water, sanitation and hygiene are missing. When they get their periods, many have no choice but to stay at home. Image: Photo: Puja, studying in class with her friend Kiran, Nepal. Credit: WaterAid/ Sailendra Kharel

Midwife Fostina Sedjoah washes her hands at the Katiu CHPS health centre in Ghana

Around the world, one in four healthcare facilities do not have adequate amenities to clean hands where care is provided.** For midwife Fostina Sedjoah at Katiu healthcentre in Ghana, simple handwashing facilities help keep her and her patients safe. Image: Photo: Midwife Fostina Sedjoah washes her hands at the Katiu CHPS health centre in Ghana. Credit: WaterAid/ Eliza Powell

Seema, an EFRAH volunteer, takes a session on Mentrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in E block, Raghubir Nagar, New Delhi, India. 13 March 2020

More than one in five people worldwide – that’s 1.7bn – don't have a toilet.*** Making sure women are involved in the decision-making process on subjects such as access to sanitation helps make sure policies and services are informed by their needs. Image: Photo: Seema, an EFRAH volunteer, takes a session on Mentrual Hygiene Management in New Delhi, India. Credit: WaterAid/ Srishti Bhardwaj

"We have been working with many NGOs as well as the local government, we have convinced them to make the fountains and infrastructure accessible for people living with disabilities." Saidson pictured while using an accessible sanitation block in Moron ...

Working with people such as Saidson (pictured) to make sure he knows his rights means communities can hold their leaders to account, helping demand sustainable services for all. Image: Credit: WaterAid/ Ernest Randriarimalala

Ali Sabo, 51, a water monitor, demonstrating how he uses a rain gauge to monitor rainfall, Dungass, in the department of Dungass, Zinder, Niger, February 2019.

People need a reliable supply of water that keeps pumping through flood, drought and natural disaster. Helping communities, such as Ali Sabo’s (pictured), monitor rainfall across the year builds a clearer picture for communities and local authorities to inform emergency planning. Image: Photo: Ali Sabo, 51, a water monitor, demonstrating how he uses a rain gauge to monitor rainfall, Dungass, in the department of Dungass, Zinder, Niger. Credit: WaterAid/ Basile Ouedraogo

“I am made of FRIENDS – WATER – FISHERGIRL – FAMILY.” Ifaliana, 11 (first from right), enjoying the water with her friends at the tap in Amberomena village, Belavabary commune, Alaotra Mangoro, Madagascar, May 2019.

Around the world millions of women and girls miss opportunities because they live in poverty and do not have the same power or status as men. Image: Ifaliana (right) with her friends in Alaotra Mangoro, Madagascar, enjoys the new water point in her village. Credit: WaterAid/ Ernest Randriarimalala

*WHO/UNICEF (2020) Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools. Joint Monitoring Programme. Geneva: World Health Organization.

**WHO/UNICEF (2020) WASH in Health Care Facilities data update. Joint Monitoring Programme. Geneva: World Health Organization.

***WHO/UNICEF (2021) Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2020. Joint Monitoring Programme. Geneva: World Health Organization.