Global Water Challenge
To accelerate universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene around the world.
Global Water Challenge at a glance
In short: Global Water Challenge gave $346K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $58K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $346,250
- +14.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $57,708
- -4.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $31,250
- Total assets
- $20,021,252
- +71.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (52% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Global Water Challenge funds
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%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Global Water Challenge gives
- Giving grew 443% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
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.
Grants by year
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 |
Ready to take the next step with Global Water Challenge?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $20,021,252 | $14,251,851 | $6,603,234 | $346,250 | 6 | $520,858 |
| 2023 | $11,665,000 | $5,255,736 | $5,862,563 | $301,725 | 5 | $440,030 |
| 2022 | $11,666,060 | $4,956,488 | $4,227,312 | $210,000 | 6 | $77,442 |
| 2021 | $10,345,099 | $8,193,347 | $1,560,212 | $63,763 | 3 | $15,790 |
| 2020 | $3,422,737 | $983,043 | $2,225,698 | $16,000 | 2 | $49,487 |
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
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.
Data update history
(6)
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
Live grants for the work Global Water Challenge funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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 makes competitive grants for science-based projects that conserve or restore fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats; it does not fund advocacy or litigation. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $106,500, and it supports projects across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Applications are competitive and program-specific; whether pre-proposals are required varies by program.
Assets
$3.6B
Grants
1,286
Total Given
$464.4M
Novo Foundation
Hurley, NY
NoVo Foundation supports organizations serving women and children, including work related to children’s well-being, adult health and agency, and local food systems. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $20 million, with a median of $150,000; most funding went to New York, and it also funded organizations in California and elsewhere. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$937.8M
Grants
508
Total Given
$214.1M
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Princeton, NJ
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds efforts to improve health and health equity in the United States, including systems change addressing structural barriers to health. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000. It typically funds through targeted programs and partnerships; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
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.
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.
Assets
$39.0M
Grants
88
Total Given
$9.3M
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Virginia
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Global Water Challenge's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Global Water Challenge down — hundreds of funders to go?