Water Foundation
Water Foundation is a public charity based in Sacramento, California, formed in 2016. It funds and coordinates work to secure safe water for people, restore freshwater ecosystems, and build climate resilience across the United States.
Water Foundation at a glance
In short: Water Foundation gave $9.3M across 88 grants in 2024 (avg $106K), top state California. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $9,298,621
- -31.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 88
- -14.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $105,666
- -19.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $39,026,292
- +23.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (23 of 88, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (28% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Water Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation says it does not accept unsolicited requests; grants are awarded to organizations identified and chosen by staff and recommended by partners. Its filing states that organizations submit a project-purpose narrative, organizational and project budgets, and financial statements. Grantees sign an agreement covering allowable uses, the grant period, and reporting requirements; grants require periodic narrative and financial reports, and staff maintain contact with grantees during the grant period. A separate Safe Clean Water Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program listing identifies three tiers as currently open and says applications may be led by a nonprofit, Tribe, municipal agency, or school district, subject to stated tax-exempt requirements. The listing says the program is in early development and expected to formally launch in September; it invites interested parties to submit an interest form for updates.
- Contact
Mailing address: 3335 Watt Ave B, Sacramento, CA 95821
Phone: (916) 414-3310
Website: https://waterfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Water Foundation
Safe Clean Water Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program - Tier 1
Water Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Safe Clean Water Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program - Tier 2
Water Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Safe Clean Water Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program - Tier 3
Water Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Water Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Alliance with Family Farmers ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $4.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
431 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 174 grants of 431 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes work across the country, including state, regional, local, and national efforts. Its 2024 filing reports that California received 29% of grant dollars, the District of Columbia 21%, Texas 10%, Oregon 7%, and Virginia 7%. The filing also describes 2024 work in California, the Pacific Northwest, New Mexico, and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 88 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Water Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 23 of 88 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $102K; repeat grants $107K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $50K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.3M (2021) to $13.6M (2023). In 2024 it made 88 grants totaling $9.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Alliance with Family Farmers Davis, CA | Water Access and Conservation | $1,048,904 |
| National Wildlife Federation Reston, VA | Water Access and Conservation | $500,000 |
| Native Americans in Philanthropy Washington, DC | Water Access and Conservation | $500,000 |
| Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Portland, OR | Water Access and Conservation | $400,000 |
| Water Finance Exchange Washington, DC | Water Access and Conservation | $310,000 |
| National Audubon Societyaudubon California New York, NY | Water Access and Conservation | $302,274 |
| Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Washington, DC | Water Access and Conservation | $290,000 |
| US Water Alliance Washington, DC | Water Access and Conservation | $270,000 |
| American Rivers Inc Washington, DC | Water Access and Conservation | $265,500 |
| Bayou City Waterkeeper Houston, TX | Water Access and Conservation | $250,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Water Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $39,026,292 | $22,281,949 | $18,296,237 | $9,298,621 | 88 | $402,021 |
| 2023 | $31,729,509 | $19,477,867 | $21,859,801 | $13,555,749 | 103 | $339,689 |
| 2022 | $31,142,344 | $25,984,608 | $16,681,548 | $8,565,187 | 71 | $57,709 |
| 2021 | $24,031,910 | $14,837,978 | $11,919,544 | $5,282,671 | 86 | $30,171 |
| 2020 | $19,586,632 | $15,010,145 | $11,484,390 | $5,979,570 | 83 | $29,317 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to advance lasting solutions to secure safe water for people, restore and sustain freshwater ecosystems, and build climate resilience.
Its funding priorities include drinking-water access and affordability, clean water, groundwater sustainability, ecosystem health and river restoration, flooding and drought, urban green infrastructure, and climate resilience. In 2024, the foundation reported supporting sustainable and inclusive groundwater management and safe, affordable drinking water in California; community engagement in Los Angeles County green stormwater infrastructure; Columbia-Snake River Basin restoration; coalitions protecting surface water, wetlands, and floodplains in New Mexico; and sustainable water management in Texas. National grants also supported water organizations and coalitions, implementation of water-related public funding, infrastructure and watershed projects, and efforts toward a permanent federal program for affordable drinking water.
Grantees include organizations with varied missions. For example, Community Water Center says it works to promote safe, clean, affordable drinking water, particularly for low-income communities. Water Finance Exchange says it aims to increase funding solutions for water, wastewater, and stormwater systems, emphasizing rural and disadvantaged communities. Community Alliance with Family Farmers describes its work as building sustainable food and farming systems through policy advocacy and on-the-ground programs. These are grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 88 grants totaling $9,298,621. Grant amounts ranged from $5,300 to $1,048,904, with a median of $50,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $1,048,904 to Community Alliance with Family Farmers; $500,000 each to National Wildlife Federation and Native Americans in Philanthropy; $400,000 to Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission; and $310,000 to Water Finance Exchange. The filing lists the purpose of these grants as “water access and conservation.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Celeste Cantu as chairman and president; Moira McDonald as vice chair; Peter Silva as secretary; and David Beckman, Laurie Dachs, Jim Lochhead, John Echohawk, Hahrie Han, Amy Cordalis, and Jose Padilla as directors.
Water Foundation is led by Allison Harvey Turner, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; 7 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Allison Harvey Turner
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$254K (2020) → $336K (2024)
Celeste Cantu
Chairman & President
Vice Chair → Chairman & President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lizette Leclerc
Chief Finance & Operations Director
Director of Finance & Operations → Chief Finance & Operations Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$183K (2020) → $238K (2024)
David Beckman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Lochhead
Director
Chairman & President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laurie Dachs
Director
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hahrie Han
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Echohawk
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Cordalis
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jose Padilla
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sally Liu
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexandra Paxton
Senior Program Officer
Program Officer → Senior Program Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$136K (2020) → $169K (2024)
Andrew Fahlund
Senior Program Officer & Policy Advisor
Senior Program Officer → Senior Program Officer & Policy Advisor, 2024
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$165K (2020) → $198K (2024)
Jennifer Sokolove
Chief Programs & Strategy Officer
Director of Programs & Strategy → Chief Programs & Strategy Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$169K (2020) → $229K (2024)
Nicole Verhoff
Chief Partnership Officer
Director of Strategic Partnerships → Chief Partnership Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$171K (2020) → $213K (2024)
Elizabeth Soderstrom
Senior Program Officer
Strategic Partnerships Officer → Senior Program Officer, 2023
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$155K (2022) → $168K (2024)
Moira McDonald
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Silva
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Marissa Christiansen (2023) — Water Table Director
- Former: Juliet Christian-Smith (2020–2021) — Senior Program Officer
- Former: Michael Connor (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Susan Bell (2020–2021) — 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $336K, to Allison Harvey Turner (Chief Executive Officer). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Water Foundation
How much does Water Foundation give each year?
Water Foundation gave $9.3M across 88 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $13.6M across 103 grants.
What is Water Foundation's typical grant size?
Water Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $105,666, across 88 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Water Foundation that year got $102K on average.
Where does Water Foundation give grants?
Water Foundation's top state is California, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (21%) and Texas (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (9 grants), Austin, TX (6 grants), San Francisco, CA (5 grants) and Sacramento, CA (5 grants).
Does Water Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 88 grants with a stated purpose on Water Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Water Access and Conservation" (88 grants).
Who are Water Foundation's largest grantees?
Water Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Community Alliance with Family Farmers ($1,048,904), National Wildlife Federation ($500,000) and Native Americans in Philanthropy ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Water Foundation?
Water Foundation reported $39.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $22.3M.
What does Water Foundation fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to advance lasting solutions to secure safe water for people, restore and sustain freshwater ecosystems, and build climate resilience. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Water Foundation?
The foundation says it does not accept unsolicited requests; grants are awarded to organizations identified and chosen by staff and recommended by partners. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Water Foundation's EIN?
Water Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-1833985. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Water Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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 October 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Water Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Water Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/water-foundation-morg_801042ea1fc24361a0c37f5cc0f7ff57
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_371833985_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Water Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/water-foundation-morg_801042ea1fc24361a0c37f5cc0f7ff57},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Water Foundation'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.
Water Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?