Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
About Water for Good
Water for Good is a faith-based nonprofit organization working to end water poverty in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. We partner with local leaders and churches to provide sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions that transform lives and prevent WASH-related diseases.
We are a Christian humanitarian organization motivated by God’s love. Our faith drives us to serve with excellence, compassion, and integrity. We serve people of all backgrounds and beliefs, reflecting Christ’s love through practical action and long-term partnership.
Our mission is to transform lives through sustainable access to safe water and improved sanitation and hygiene in the places that need it most.
We envision a future where every child experiences safe water, a healthy community, and God’s love.
Water for Good began with a deep commitment to addressing water insecurity in the Central African Republic, focusing on community ownership and long-term system maintenance. In 2024, we merged with Lifewater International, a pioneer in faith-driven WASH programming since 1977, to combine our strengths and expand our impact.
The 2024 merger between Lifewater International and Water for Good united two organizations with a shared vision: sustainable, faith-based solutions to the global water crisis. Together, we bring decades of experience, innovation, and proven models to reach more communities with lasting impact.
We currently operate in the Central African Republic, Uganda, Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Tanzania, focusing on regions with urgent water needs and strong local partnerships.
We prioritize local leadership, sustainable infrastructure, and long-term maintenance. Rather than short-term fixes, we invest in community-led water projects that continue working year after year. As a nonprofit water organization in Africa, our model ensures reliability, equity, and faith-based impact.
Our Work & Impact
We provide sustainable access to clean water, improved sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in regions with the greatest need. Our programs are designed to reduce waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis A—leading causes of illness and death in vulnerable communities. We improve health, keep children in school, empower women, and foster long-term community development.
WASH stands for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene—a proven, holistic approach to ending preventable disease and poverty. Clean water must be paired with proper sanitation and hygiene practices to achieve real health outcomes and lasting change. A Christian approach to WASH also recognizes each person’s dignity and potential.
In areas that complete our programs, communities experience:
- 90% or more reduction in WASH-related diseases, including cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and other waterborne illnesses
- Higher school attendance, especially for girls
- Economic growth, as families gain time and income
- Empowered women, no longer burdened with hours spent collecting unsafe water
Water for Good operates in the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Uganda, Cambodia, and Tanzania—regions where WASH needs are urgent and local leaders are eager to create lasting change.
No. We also maintain and repair existing water systems, educate families in hygiene and sanitation, and build the local capacity needed for long-term, community-led WASH programs.
Unlike short-term relief models, we monitor communities for up to five years after program completion to ensure WASH habits remain in place and water points continue working. This approach yields sustainable health outcomes and generational change.
Our Unique Approach
We don’t just install wells—we ensure they work for the long haul. In a region where more than 60% of water points fail, 95% of our water points remain functional thanks to long-term maintenance and local training. We take a locally led, faith-driven approach to create change that lasts. As a faith-based NGO, we are committed to sustainable water solutions that support entire communities.
Our signature program, Vision of a Healthy Village (VHV), is a three-year process that empowers local leaders to teach sanitation and hygiene, build latrines, adopt safe water practices, and maintain infrastructure. When milestones are met—like becoming Open Defecation Free (ODF) and certifying Healthy Homes—the village is celebrated as a “Healthy Village.”
- Reliable Water – Water access that’s sustainable, monitored, and maintained
- Healthy Homes – Communities equipped to practice safe hygiene and sanitation
- Thriving Communities – Lasting impact through education, economic growth, and health
We partner with local churches, community health workers, and government leaders. Families contribute time, labor, and local materials, and WASH facilitators train neighbors in sustainable practices. This locally led model ensures community ownership and long-term success.
In 80% of households without safe water, women and girls are responsible for collecting it. Our programs dramatically reduce this burden, supporting gender equity in clean water access and freeing women to pursue education, start businesses, and lead in their communities.
Our work is a reflection of our Christian faith. We demonstrate God’s love through practical service, collaborating with churches and ministries to reach the most vulnerable. Every WASH project is an opportunity to affirm dignity, hope, and the God-given potential of every person.
Donations & Financials
Support our work through:
- One-time or monthly online giving
- Mailing a check
- Donor-advised funds (DAFs), IRA rollovers, stocks, crypto
- Fundraisers or employer matching
- Estate planning
See our Ways to Give page for more.
Sustainers are our dedicated monthly donors who provide steady, reliable support. Monthly giving allows us to plan ahead, commit to long-term water and sanitation projects, and respond quickly to urgent needs. One-time gifts make a difference. Monthly gifts make a future.
- Reach more communities
- Build and maintain clean water systems
- Provide ongoing WASH training
- Plan for long-term sustainability with confidence
With consistent support, we can prevent crises—not just respond to them. Monthly donors are the backbone of everything we do.
Yes. Water for Good is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
A $60 donation ensures one person has access to reliable water for a year, including installation, maintenance, sanitation training, and hygiene support. If you’re wondering how much it costs to sponsor clean water or build a water well, our team is happy to provide more details.
We’re committed to full transparency. Every dollar supports our mission through program costs, technical operations, and essential administration that makes our work possible. We are accredited by Charity Navigator, Guidestar, Excellence in Giving, and other trusted evaluators. View our Financials page for our 990s, Annual Reports, and Audited Financials.
Yes! Many companies offer matching gift programs, meaning your employer may match your contribution—doubling your impact. Use our employer search tool to check eligibility.
Yes. Legacy gifts through wills, life insurance, or retirement assets are flexible, impactful, and tax-advantaged. Click here to learn more.
- Assets remain under your control during your lifetime
- You choose the percentage or portion of your estate
- Flexible and simple to update
- Potential tax benefits and probate avoidance
Your legacy gift will directly support clean water solutions that last. Click here to learn more.
We offer several opportunities for churches:
- VBS & youth engagement – A curriculum to inspire faith in action
- Church Champion program – Pray and share our mission
- Church partnerships – Equip your congregation to make a global impact
Visit our Church Engagement page for updates, resources, and ways to get involved.
Yes. Our Business Partnerships help companies make a meaningful impact while enhancing visibility, strengthening CSR, and engaging employees. We offer:
- Matching gift and peer-to-peer campaigns
- In-kind donations
- Custom fundraising and brand-aligned initiatives
We also welcome non-financial support from partners who can contribute products, equipment, or services that further our mission.
Yes. Your generosity supports faith-based WASH programs that reduce disease, empower women, strengthen communities, and create generational impact. Whether you give once or monthly, your support fuels a proven, transparent approach to solving the global water crisis.
Partnerships & Volunteering
We currently do not offer volunteer opportunities in our program areas. However, you’re welcome to volunteer at our U.S. office in Bentonville, Arkansas. To explore opportunities, email us at info@waterforgood.org or call 479-360-5030.
While we deeply value your passion to serve, our work is led by local professionals in the countries we serve. We do not bring outside volunteer teams to install wells or deliver WASH training. Instead, consider joining a Vision Trip to see the impact firsthand.
A Water for Good Vision Trip is an immersive opportunity to witness our work in action. You’ll visit communities, meet local staff and church partners, tour our in-country offices, and experience the impact of your generosity firsthand. It’s a journey of connection, impact, and inspiration.
Learn more about what to expect here.
Vision Trips are ideal for committed donors, church or business partners, and individuals who want a deeper understanding of global water challenges. For more information on our next trips, click here or email info@waterforgood.org
We offer multiple ways for churches to engage:
- VBS & youth programs that bring faith to life through action
- Church Champion program to receive updates, pray, and share our work
- Church campaigns that fundraise and raise awareness
Visit our Church Engagement page or contact us directly for prayer resources, field updates, and partnership ideas.
Yes. Our Business Partnerships help companies make a meaningful impact while enhancing brand visibility and employee engagement. We offer:
- Matching gift campaigns
- Peer-to-peer fundraisers
- In-kind donations
- Custom engagement strategies
We’ll collaborate with your team to design a partnership that aligns with your mission and ours. Email info@waterforgood.org to start the conversation.
Yes! Call 479-360-5030 or email info@waterforgood.org to get started.
Technical & Operational Details
We’re honored by your interest, but Water for Good focuses all field activities within our established program regions. We are not able to offer contracted drilling services by request or begin new projects outside of our current scope. Thank you for understanding.
We currently serve in Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Uganda, Cambodia, and Tanzania—regions where clean water access is most urgent, and local leadership is ready to partner for long-term impact.
Globally, more than 60% of wells fail due to lack of maintenance. At Water for Good, we take a different approach. Every water point includes a long-term maintenance plan delivered by local technicians. This is why 95% of our wells remain functional—far above the global average.
Our in-country teams use a data-driven approach to identify regions with the greatest need. We look at:
- Water coverage and access gaps
- Population density and health indicators
- Geographic challenges
- Community readiness and leadership
We also plan district-wide and commit to 7–10 years of engagement, ensuring sustainable WASH outcomes.
Yes. Our entire field operation is powered by in-country staff, from engineers and technicians to WASH educators and local leadership. This locally led model ensures long-term success and honors community ownership.
If you’re conducting research and would like to speak with a member of our team, please email your request to info@waterforgood.org and include the nature of your inquiry, timeline, and area of interest. We welcome academic research on clean water projects and will respond as capacity allows.
We’re always looking for passionate, skilled individuals to join our mission. Visit our Careers page or email your résumé to careers@waterforgood.org.
We are deeply honored by the requests we receive from leaders and communities seeking to improve their water access and community health. However, Water for Good does not operate on a request-driven basis, and we do not offer contracted drilling services on a large scale at this time.
To ensure our projects are sustainable for the long haul, our in-country teams follow a data-driven, multi-year strategic plan. We focus our efforts on specific districts within our current countries of operation—the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Cambodia—where we develop and partner with local maintenance networks necessary to keep water flowing for decades.
At this time, we are fully committed to these regions and do not have plans to expand into additional countries. We appreciate your passion for safe water and encourage you to seek out local NGOs or government agencies operating within your specific region.
Faith-Based Mission
Yes. Water for Good is a faith-based, Christian nonprofit organization. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every person is made in the image of God and deserves to thrive. We demonstrate God’s love through clean water, improved sanitation, and hygiene in the world’s most vulnerable regions.
No. We serve people of all faiths and backgrounds, without discrimination. Our faith motivates us to act with compassion, dignity, and excellence in every community we reach.
Our faith is central to who we are—not just a belief, but a call to action. We partner with local churches and Christian leaders to serve their communities, and we believe that meeting physical needs is often the first step toward deeper hope, healing, and transformation.
We are inspired by scriptures like:
- “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.” (Matthew 25:35)
- “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)
- “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” (Colossians 3:23)
These verses shape our values of perseverance, excellence, stewardship, and unconditional love.
Yes—churches are vital partners in our mission. Whether it’s through prayer, fundraising, youth engagement, or Vision Trips, we walk alongside churches that want to live out their faith by helping solve the global water crisis. Learn more here.
Clean water is life-giving—and so is the message of the gospel. When communities gain access to safe water, they also experience dignity, health, and God’s love in action. We believe that physical restoration often opens the door to spiritual renewal. This Christian approach to WASH reminds people of their God-given worth and invites them into a future filled with hope. In regions where diseases like cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis A are widespread, the simple gift of clean water can mean the difference between life and death.
