Global Water Challenge
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.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
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
The largest 2024 recipient was National Audubon Society ($180K). Together the top 6 received $346K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 22 (64%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Audubon Society New York, NY | Watershed Health | $180,000 |
| Texan by Nature Austin, TX | Watershed Health | $47,500 |
| Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams Holton, KS | Watershed Health | $31,250 |
| Ohio River Foundation Cincinnati, OH | Watershed Health | $31,250 |
| River Partners Avenue Chico, CA | Watershed Health | $31,250 |
| The East Oakland Collective Oakland, CA | Watershed Health | $25,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- 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.
Here's the math on researching Global Water Challenge by hand.
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