National Rural Water Association
The National Rural Water Association (NRWA) is a nonprofit organization based in Duncan, Oklahoma, designated as a 501(c)(6) business league. Founded in 1976, NRWA is the largest water and wastewater utility membership organization in the United States. The organization strengthens and supports 49 affiliated state rural water associations across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, which collectively represent more than 31,000 water and wastewater utility system members.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$89.1M
+10.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$60.9M
+6.6% YoY
Grant Count
49
-3.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.2M
+10.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To cultivate opportunities for state associations to be successful for the benefits of their members.
NRWA provides training and technical assistance covering every aspect of operating, managing, and financing water and wastewater utilities. The organization's work is supported by the United States Congress and delivered in partnership with the USDA's Rural Utilities Service, the Farm Service Agency, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Primary program areas include:
- Training and technical assistance for water and wastewater utility operations and management
- Certification and continuing education through WaterPro Academy (offering live and on-demand formats)
- Professional development through the WaterPro Conference
- Online community engagement through the NRWA Community platform
- Legislative and regulatory representation for rural and small utilities
Grantmaking
NRWA makes grants to its affiliated state rural water associations. Recent grant activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NRWA operates nationwide through its network of 49 affiliated state rural water associations across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Grant-making activity has been documented in Georgia, Virginia, and Louisiana.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (Fiscal Year Ending February 2025):
- Total Assets: $89,126,630
- Total Revenue: $81,800,000
- Total Expenses: $74,500,000
- Total Liabilities: $19,600,000
- Total Giving: $60,927,870
Prior Year (Fiscal Year Ending February 2024):
- Total Assets: $80,853,175
- Total Revenue: $71,767,101
- Total Expenses: $68,193,714
NRWA has been tax-exempt since April 1996. As a 501(c)(6) organization, donations are not tax-deductible.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $89,126,630 | $80,853,175 | $73,396,041 |
| Revenue | $81,786,877 | $71,767,101 | $65,286,342 |
| Expenses | $74,539,636 | $68,193,714 | $62,333,478 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $6,276,170 | $832,873 | $1,043,637 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
247 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include California Rural Water Assoc ($2,025,432), Minnesota Rural Water Assoc ($1,851,153), Texas Rural Water Assoc ($1,715,841).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA RURAL WATER ASSOC MONTGOMERY, AL | SUB-AWARD | $1,406,820 |
| ALASKA RURAL WATER ASSOC WASILLA, AK | SUB-AWARD | $996,378 |
| RURAL WATER OF ARIZONA APACHE JUNCTION, AZ | SUB-AWARD | $692,667 |
| ARKANSAS RURAL WATER ASSOC LONOKE, AR | SUB-AWARD | $1,374,688 |
| ATLANTIC STATE WATER & WASTEWATER ASSOC SUFFIELD, CT | SUB-AWARD | $429,025 |
| CALIFORNIA RURAL WATER ASSOC SACRAMENTO, CA | SUB-AWARD | $2,025,432 |
| COLORADO RURAL WATER ASSOC PUEBLO WEST, CO | SUB-AWARD | $1,473,726 |
| DELAWARE RURAL WATER ASSOC MILFORD, DE | SUB-AWARD | $782,935 |
| FLORIDA RURAL WATER ASSOC TALLAHASSEE, FL | SUB-AWARD | $1,509,761 |
| GEORGIA RURAL WATER ASSOC BERNESVILLE, GA | SUB-AWARD | $1,168,387 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Brian Churchman
The organization employs 52 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHILLIP COMBS | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| CHRIS KENYON | SR. VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| DAVID PETERSON | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| PAUL FULGHAM | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| TOM GOULETTE | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JOHN O'CONNELL | IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JOHN CHOATE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TOM SPEER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JIMMY FOLCO | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ERIC HILL | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JANA LITTLEWOOD | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MATT RENCHER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JOHN COVINGTON | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DANNIE MCMILLAN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| PAM MINELLA | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DAVID BAIRD | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ROBERT MUNRO | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RICK JEFFARES | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TONY CARRASCO | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BRAD ANDERSEN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEVE FLETCHER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RANDY PLEIMA | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BILL SHROYER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CRAIG SOLLBERGER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JEFF DAY | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAMES LATCHUM | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAMES GOBEILLE | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LUKE HEIKKILA | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MACK LEE | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DAVID WALLER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ALLEN KELM | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JOHN COFFEY | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAMES MACKIE | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JOHN JONES | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NEIL CARPENTER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MICHELE SCHOMMER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| FARON YOUNG | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ROBERT MOORE | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RUSSELL COOPER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BOB BLOUGH | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LINDA EVANS | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RON GILLEN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KENT WATSON | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JON THORNTON | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TOM DELBRIDGE | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DON ZUERN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ALAN HAUGHT | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KEVIN MRAZ | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHUCK MCVEY | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW HOLMES | CEO | 48 | $379,325 |
| BRIAN CHURCHMAN | CFO | 45 | $264,508 |
| VERN STEEL | COO | 40 | $246,258 |
| MICHAEL PRESTON | DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LEG. AF | 40 | $248,041 |
| WILLIAM SIMPSON | LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $342,832 |
| CHARLES STEPHENS | SR. EXECUTIVE POLICY DIREC | 40 | $261,677 |
| SHANNAN WALTON | APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS MANAGER | 40 | $150,543 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does National Rural Water Association fund?
**Mission:** To cultivate opportunities for state associations to be successful for the benefits of their members. NRWA provides training and technical assistance covering every aspect of operating, managing, and financing water and wastewater utilities. The organization's work is supported by the United States Congress and delivered in partnership with the USDA's Rural Utilities Service, the Farm Service Agency, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Primary program areas include: • Training…
How do I apply for a grant from National Rural Water Association?
NRWA makes grants to its affiliated state rural water associations. Recent grant activity includes: | Grantee | Amount | Year | |---------|--------|------| | Texas Rural Water Association | $1,684,419 | 2024 | | Kentucky Rural Water Association | $1,552,371 | 2024 | | California Rural Water Association | $1,547,443 | 2024 | Total giving reported at $60,927,870 based on most recent IRS Form 990 filing. Typical award ranges are $42,896–$2,025,432.
Where does National Rural Water Association make grants?
NRWA operates nationwide through its network of 49 affiliated state rural water associations across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Grant-making activity has been documented in Georgia, Virginia, and Louisiana.
What size grants does National Rural Water Association award?
In 2025, National Rural Water Association awarded 49 grants totaling $60.9M — an average of about $1.2M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is National Rural Water Association's EIN?
National Rural Water Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-1006395. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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