The Water School
The Water School works to reduce water-related illnesses and death by providing a sustainable and affordable safe and clean water solution to the developing world.
The Water School at a glance
In short: The Water School gave $72K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $72K). Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $72,119
- -55.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $72,119
- -55.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $72,119
- Total assets
- $24,991
- +208.4% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Water School funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Water School Canada ($72K).
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 3 grants of 4 (75%).
How The Water School gives
- Giving fell 28% 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 $100 (2021) to $163K (2024). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $72K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Water School Canada | — | $72,119 |
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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 | $24,991 | $97,840 | $80,953 | $72,119 | 1 | — |
| 2024 | $8,104 | $124,866 | $170,580 | $162,500 | 1 | — |
| 2023 | $53,818 | $120,928 | $123,153 | $117,000 | 1 | $2 |
| 2022 | $56,043 | $30,482 | $105,103 | $100,000 | 1 | $4 |
| 2021 | $130,664 | $84,132 | $8,218 | $100 | Total only | $1 |
| 2020 | $54,750 | $6,528 | $4,965 | — | — | — |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About The Water School
Based on IRS filings
The Water School is a public charity focused on International, Foreign Affairs & National Security, based in Los Angeles, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $25K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $72K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Water School is led by Richard Lau, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Richard Lau
President
President & Executive Director → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Bruce Friesen
Secretary
Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lannette New
Administrator Assistant
Administrative Assistant → Administrator Assistant, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Water School
How much does The Water School give each year?
The Water School gave $72K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $163K across 1 grant.
How large is The Water School?
The Water School reported $25K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $98K.
What is The Water School?
The Water School is a public charity focused on International, Foreign Affairs & National Security, based in Los Angeles, CA. It holds $25K in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Water School's EIN?
The Water School's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0525417. 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-EZ for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 17, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
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Figures come from The Water School'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.
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