Global Water Challenge logo

Global Water Challenge

Public charity · Grantmaker Arlington, VA EIN: 26-1407784 Website

To accelerate universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene around the world.

Key facts about Global Water Challenge

In short: Global Water Challenge gave $346K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $58K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

EIN
26-1407784
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$346,250
Grants made (2024)
6
Average grant
$57,708
Median grant
$31,250
Total assets
$20,021,252
Primary geography
New York (52% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$20.0M

+71.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$346K

+14.8% YoY

Grant Count

6

+20.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$58K

-4.4% YoY

How Global Water Challenge gives

  • Giving grew 443% from 2021 to 2024. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.

About Global Water Challenge

Based on IRS filings

Global Water Challenge is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Arlington, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $20.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $346K. Net investment income was $521K.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Global Water Challenge?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

10states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.

Cities

CincinnatiHoltonOaklandAustinAvenue ChicoClaytonWashingtonBoonvilleFargoNew YorkPortsmouthSalisbury

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K$400K2 grants2020 3 grants2021 6 grants2022 5 grants2023 6 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $16K (2020) to $346K (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $346K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 6 recipients in 2024

National Audubon Society: $180KNational Audubon Society$180KTexan by Nature: $48KTexan by Nature$48KKansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams: $31KKansas Alliance for Wetlandsand Streams$31KOhio River Foundation: $31KOhio River Foundation$31KRiver Partners: $31KRiver Partners$31KThe East Oakland Collective: $25KThe East Oakland Collective$25K

The largest 2024 recipient was National Audubon Society ($180K). Together the top 6 received $346K.

Grant Size Distribution

22 grants across all recorded years

14<$50K7$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 22 (64%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
National Audubon Society New York, NYWatershed Health$180,000
Texan by Nature Austin, TXWatershed Health$47,500
Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams Holton, KSWatershed Health$31,250
Ohio River Foundation Cincinnati, OHWatershed Health$31,250
River Partners Avenue Chico, CAWatershed Health$31,250
The East Oakland Collective Oakland, CAWatershed Health$25,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$5M$10M$15M$20M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$20,021,252$11,665,000$11,666,060
Revenue$14,251,851$5,255,736$4,956,488
Expenses$6,603,234$5,862,563$4,227,312
Net Investment Income$520,858$440,030$77,442

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 4, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Global Water Challenge is led by Monica Ellis, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Monica Ellis

    President & CEO

    CEO → President & CEO, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    10 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • William K. Reilly

    Chair

    Co-Chair → Chair, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Alexandra Costeau

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeff Seabright

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Hank Habicht

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Scott Denlinger

    CFO

    On filings since 2020

    10 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (2)
  • Former: Harriet Babbitt (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
  • Former: Mary Draves (2020) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Global Water Challenge

How much does Global Water Challenge give each year?

Global Water Challenge gave $346K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $302K across 5 grants.

What is Global Water Challenge's typical grant size?

Global Water Challenge's median grant in 2024 was $31,250, and its average grant was $57,708, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.

Where does Global Water Challenge give grants?

Global Water Challenge gives mostly in New York: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (16%) and Texas (14%).

Does Global Water Challenge give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Global Water Challenge's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Watershed Health" (6 grants).

Who are Global Water Challenge's largest grantees?

Global Water Challenge's largest 2024 grantees include National Audubon Society ($180,000), Texan by Nature ($47,500) and Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams ($31,250), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Global Water Challenge?

Global Water Challenge reported $20.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.3M.

What is Global Water Challenge?

Global Water Challenge is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Arlington, VA. It holds $20.0M in total assets as of 2024.

What is Global Water Challenge's EIN?

Global Water Challenge's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1407784. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Global Water Challenge by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Global Water Challenge's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Washington, DC

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds competitive projects that conserve or restore fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats, including habitat restoration, species recovery, and coastal and watershed resilience; it does not fund advocacy or litigation. It works across all 50 states and U.S. territories, with a 2024 median grant of $81,584 and awards ranging from $5,169 to $29 million. Applications are made through specific grant programs and their requests for proposals; whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.

Assets

$3.6B

Grants

1,286

Total Given

$464.4M

Novo Foundation

Hurley, NY

In 2024, NOVO FOUNDATION gave grants across varied charitable areas, with a focus on New York (70% of grant dollars) and direct activities in the Hudson Valley; California received 11%. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $20 million, with a median of $150,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

—

Grants

508

Total Given

$214.1M

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Princeton, NJ

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds work to improve health and health equity in the United States, including health policy, community health, prevention, and social justice. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to recipients across multiple states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$13.4B

Grants

3,093

Total Given

$622.6M

Bonneville Environmental Foundation

Portland, OR

Bonneville Environmental Foundation supports freshwater restoration, water conservation and sustainability, forest and habitat projects, renewable energy, and energy education. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,934 to $4,006,878, with a median of about $50,000; its watershed work focuses on the Pacific Northwest, while renewable energy work centers on Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and western Montana. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Environment & Animals

Assets

$68.8M

Grants

42

Total Given

$19.3M

Water Foundation

Sacramento, CA

Water Foundation funds safe and affordable drinking water, watershed and ecosystem restoration, sustainable water management, and climate resilience through local, regional, and national work, with substantial giving in California. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000 (ranging from $5,300 to $1,048,904); it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, though a separate Safe Clean Water community-engagement program invites interest forms.

Environment & Animals

Assets

$39.0M

Grants

88

Total Given

$9.3M

Duke Energy Foundation

Charlotte, NC

The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce development, local economic development and recovery, disaster resilience, conservation, and economic opportunity in communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. It reports more than $30 million in annual charitable grants; awards vary widely, with a 2024 median of $25,000, and applications of $20,000 or less are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants should contact their local Foundation representative before applying.

Assets

$1.9M

Grants

41

Total Given

$25.6M

Prewoznik Foundation

Santa Monica, CA

Assets

$292K

Grants

3

Total Given

$40K

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Lansdowne, VA

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation funds education for exceptionally promising students with financial need, through student scholarships and grants to organizations serving them. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6 to $515,000, with a median of $7,702; 86% of grant dollars went to Virginia recipients, with others across multiple states and Washington, D.C. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited organizational requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$940.1M

Grants

1,419

Total Given

$25.1M

Donors Trust Inc

Alexandria, VA

Donors Trust supports charities and programs in social welfare, health, the environment, economics, governance, foreign relations, and arts and culture, with a strong emphasis on conservative and libertarian policy and education groups. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000, though awards ranged from $5,038 to $35 million, and recipients were concentrated in Washington, D.C., Virginia, New York, Texas, and California. It does not accept unsolicited requests; donor-advisors recommend grants through their accounts.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.4B

Grants

919

Total Given

$282.1M

The Community Foundation Inc

Richmond, VA

The Community Foundation funds health and wellness, education, economic prosperity, and community vibrancy, as well as other causes through donor-advised and field-of-interest funds. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from $5,100 to $1.795 million; most funding went to Virginia, especially the Richmond area. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$852.4M

Grants

917

Total Given

$61.8M

America's Charities

Chantilly, VA

America’s Charities distributes workplace-giving contributions to member nonprofits working in areas such as education, health, hunger, human rights, and disaster relief; it also manages emergency assistance for eligible employees. In 2024, reported grants ranged from $5,017 to $1,379,226, with a median of $9,674, and recipients were concentrated in California, Virginia, D.C., Maryland, and Pennsylvania. These disbursements are donor-directed contributions rather than competitive grants; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$36.2M

Grants

808

Total Given

$16.4M

More Funders in Virginia

Global Water Challenge down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?