The Aquaya Institute
Aquaya is a nonprofit research and consulting organization dedicated to advancing global health through universal access to safe water and sanitation. We deliver critical insights, data, and tools to support informed policy, program, and financing decisions. This knowledge helps to secure safe water and sanitation for undeserved populations, improving human health and well-being.
The Aquaya Institute at a glance
In short: The Aquaya Institute gave $208K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $42K), top state New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $208,018
- -52.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +25.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $41,604
- -62.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $31,488
- Total assets
- $7,593,658
- +5.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (46% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Aquaya Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Water Trust ($97K). Together the top 5 received $208K.
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 5 grants of 13 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Aquaya Institute gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $28K (2020) to $438K (2024). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $208K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Water Trust New York, NY | Subaward on VSLA Hilton Grant | $96,692 |
| Evidence Action Washingotn, DC | Subaward on VSLA Hilton Grant | $54,510 |
| Cova Agua Saint Paul, MN | Subaward on Usaid Real Water Grant | $31,488 |
| Water Mission International North Charleston, SC | Subaward on Usaid Real Water Grant | $15,823 |
| The Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Subaward on Usaid Real Water Grant | $9,505 |
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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 | $7,593,658 | $5,647,416 | $4,634,532 | $208,018 | 5 | $132,311 |
| 2024 | $7,197,340 | $4,975,962 | $7,057,434 | $438,324 | 4 | $185,929 |
| 2023 | $9,115,780 | $10,126,211 | $6,544,669 | $307,704 | 2 | $164,227 |
| 2022 | $4,967,293 | $6,769,804 | $4,703,517 | $203,719 | 2 | $161 |
| 2021 | $2,762,883 | $3,651,840 | $2,220,718 | — | — | $170 |
| 2020 | $1,285,643 | $2,015,540 | $1,584,514 | $28,445 | 1 | $1,398 |
About The Aquaya Institute
Based on IRS filings
The Aquaya Institute is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Fairfax, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $7.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $208K. Net investment income was $132K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Aquaya Institute is led by Rachel Peletz, Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 6 of 17 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rachel Peletz
Executive Director
Interim Executive Director → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$97K (2021) → $135K (2025)
Ian Warburg
Chair
Chairman → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Delaire
Director of Research & Programs
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$110K (2024) → $129K (2025)
Ryann Johnson
Director of Operations
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$115K (2024) → $108K (2025)
Christina Babbitt
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Rich
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Desmond Fitzgerald
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Hastings
Secretary & Trustee
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Secretary & Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Freedman
Trustee
Vice Chair → Vice Chair & Trustee, 2024
Vice Chair & Trustee → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charisma Acey
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melinda Tellez
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Theresa Lewis
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$108K (2022) → $117K (2025)
Anna Murray
Deputy of Director of Research
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$107K (2024) → $111K (2025)
Valerie Bauza
Deputy of Director of Research
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$108K (2024) → $113K (2025)
Zorba Lieberman
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Len Finocchio
Vice Chair
Trustee → Trustee & Vice Chair, 2024
Trustee & Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anona Dutton
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Ranjiv Khush (2020–2024) — Project Director
- Former: Jeffrey Albert (2022–2024) — Deputy Project Director
- Former: Anona Dutta (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Herdt (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Steven Choi (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Lisa Ozaeta (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Jeffery Albert (2020–2021) — Deputy Project Director & Trustee
- Former: Leonard Finocchio (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michael A. Freedman (2020–2021) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Lisa Ozeata (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $135K, to Rachel Peletz (Executive Director). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Aquaya Institute
How much does The Aquaya Institute give each year?
The Aquaya Institute gave $208K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $438K across 4 grants.
What is The Aquaya Institute's typical grant size?
The Aquaya Institute's median grant in 2025 was $31,488, and its average grant was $41,604, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Aquaya Institute give grants?
The Aquaya Institute's top state is New York, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (26%) and Minnesota (15%).
Does The Aquaya Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Aquaya Institute's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Subaward on Usaid Real Water Grant" (3 grants).
Who are The Aquaya Institute's largest grantees?
The Aquaya Institute's largest 2025 grantees include The Water Trust ($96,692), Evidence Action ($54,510) and Cova Agua ($31,488), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 88% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Aquaya Institute?
The Aquaya Institute reported $7.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.6M.
What is The Aquaya Institute?
The Aquaya Institute is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Fairfax, CA. It holds $7.6M in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Aquaya Institute's EIN?
The Aquaya Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2977578. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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 2020 (received by the IRS November 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 27, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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