H2O for Life
H2O for Life educates, engages and inspires youth, k-12, to learn about the global water crisis while taking local and global action. Schools partner with a school in a developing country and provide funds to support implementation of water, sanitation and hygiene in service-learning opportunities focused on global water crisis.
H2O for Life at a glance
In short: H2O for Life gave $5K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,372
- -65.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,372
- -65.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,372
- Total assets
- $478,814
- +361.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to H2O for Life
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from H2O for Life
Who H2O for Life funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Digdeep Richt to Water Project ($5K).
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 7 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How H2O for Life gives
- Giving fell 67% from 2022 to 2025. 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2025) to $32K (2021). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $5K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Digdeep Richt to Water Project Los Angeles, CA | Water Hygiene Ed. | $5,372 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $478,814 | $1,071,356 | $665,323 | $5,372 | 1 | $689 |
| 2024 | $103,751 | $695,897 | $864,616 | $15,559 | 1 | $1,045 |
| 2023 | $266,370 | $679,892 | $1,007,250 | $23,668 | 1 | $5,413 |
| 2022 | $639,105 | $1,062,705 | $1,034,540 | $16,500 | 2 | $8,427 |
| 2021 | $764,334 | $676,223 | $884,215 | $31,744 | 2 | $1,702 |
About H2O for Life
Based on IRS filings
H2O for Life is a public charity focused on International, Foreign Affairs & National Security, based in White Bear Lake, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $479K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $5K. Net investment income was $689.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
H2O for Life is led by Sally Gilchrist, Chair since 2025 (on filings since 2022); 1 of 13 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sally Gilchrist
Chair
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doug Niemela
Executive Di
Executive Director → Executive Di, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$57K (2022) → $87K (2025)
Aaron Bloomer
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred Anderson
Board Member
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
Chair → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kate Booth
Board Member
Chair & President → Past Chair, 2024
Past Chair → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Kettwick
Co-Secretary
Board Member → Co-Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patty Hall
Founder Emeritus
Board Member → Emeritus, 2023
Emeritus → Founder Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Simon Sikulu
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Burnett
Board Member
Board Member → Co-Secretary, 2023
Co-Secretary → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne Thomsen
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katy Domschot
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Hutchinson
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennie Zafft
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: AJ Austerman (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Rathburn (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Teresa Williams (2021–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Ashley Filipovich (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Christine Andacht (2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Jennifer Gallagher (2021) — Secretary
- Former: Margaret Dunbar (2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $87K, to Doug Niemela (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about H2O for Life
How much does H2O for Life give each year?
H2O for Life gave $5K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $16K across 1 grant.
How large is H2O for Life?
H2O for Life reported $479K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.1M.
What is H2O for Life?
H2O for Life is a public charity focused on International, Foreign Affairs & National Security, based in White Bear Lake, MN. It holds $479K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does H2O for Life operate?
H2O for Life has awarded grants in California, Missouri, New York.
What is H2O for Life's EIN?
H2O for Life's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0338552. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 2021 (received by the IRS October 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 18, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Figures come from H2O for Life'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.
H2O for Life down — hundreds of funders to go?