Waterstart
Waterstart is a non-profit association of public & private water managers dedicated to the commercialization of technologies to advance water treatment, conservation and sustainability. Through collaboration and the use of best practices, we endeavor to explore water issues as we improve economic diversification and expansion, and workforce development. Waterstart seeks to be the world leader in water technology, concentrating on conservation, resource planning, pumping, treatment, storage, distribution and reuse.
Waterstart at a glance
In short: Waterstart gave $230K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $77K), mostly in Nevada. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $230,000
- -60.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $76,667
- -60.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $60,000
- Total assets
- $367,351
- +21.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Nevada (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Waterstart funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada Foundation ($150K). Together the top 3 received $230K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 5 grants of 10 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Waterstart gives
- Giving grew 1866% 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 $12K (2022) to $587K (2024). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $230K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada Foundation Las Vegas, NV | Pilot Contributions | $150,000 |
| Wavr Technologies Inc Las Vegas, NV | Pilot Contributions | $60,000 |
| Clearwater Strategy LLC Sheridan, WY | Pilot Contributions | $20,000 |
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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 | $367,351 | $798,153 | $732,637 | $230,000 | 3 | $52,643 |
| 2024 | $301,835 | $1,163,912 | $1,240,660 | $586,886 | 3 | $65 |
| 2023 | $378,583 | $508,109 | $753,070 | $111,765 | 1 | — |
| 2022 | $623,544 | $368,063 | $511,819 | $11,700 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | $802,864 | $554,421 | $751,341 | $257,442 | 2 | — |
| 2019 | $332,063 | $1,048,763 | $771,533 | — | — | — |
About Waterstart
Based on IRS filings
Waterstart is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Las Vegas, NV. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $367K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $230K. Net investment income was $53K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Waterstart is led by Rebecca Shanahan, Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2022); 3 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rebecca Shanahan
Executive Director
Director → Interim Executive Director, 2024
Interim Executive Director → Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
36 hrs/week
$87K (2022) → $119K (2025)
Dave Johnson
Chairman
President → Chairman, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Allen
Director
Executive Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$77K (2021) → $6K (2025)
Danielle Garone
Director Finance & Administrator
New on the 2025 filing
38 hrs/week
$97K (2025)
Patricia Mulroy
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Louise Dudley
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ramsay Huntley
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Lynch
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Dunning
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Zimmerman
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shaunna Berendsen
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Thomas
Secretary & Treasurer
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Ian Olson (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Cindy Ortega (2019–2023) — Treasurer & Secretary
- Former: Mark Foree (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Jonas Peterson (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Kenneth G. Ladd (2019) — Director
- Former: Kevin Fisher (2019) — Director
- Former: Kristen Averyt (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: Paul Anderson (2019) — Director
- Former: Steven D. Hill (2019) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $119K, to Rebecca Shanahan (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Waterstart
How much does Waterstart give each year?
Waterstart gave $230K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $587K across 3 grants.
What is Waterstart's typical grant size?
Waterstart's median grant in 2025 was $60,000, and its average grant was $76,667, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Waterstart give grants?
Waterstart gives mostly in Nevada: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Wyoming (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Las Vegas, NV (2 grants).
Does Waterstart give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Waterstart's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Pilot Contributions" (3 grants).
How large is Waterstart?
Waterstart reported $367K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $798K.
What is Waterstart?
Waterstart is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Las Vegas, NV. It holds $367K in total assets as of 2025.
What is Waterstart's EIN?
Waterstart's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4420637. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 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 May 12, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 15, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Waterstart funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Waterstart's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Nevada
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Community Foundation of Northern Nevada
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The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada supports nonprofits and community projects, including nonprofit capacity-building, mental health access, housing, and watershed protection, primarily in Northern Nevada. Its 2024 grants had a median of $20,000, though amounts varied widely; it accepts applications through specific funding opportunities and RFP cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts general unsolicited requests.
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NV Energy Charitable Foundation
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The foundation supports qualified public charities in the NV Energy service areas, with emphasis on environmental conservation, education, and public safety. Its 2025 grants ranged from $350 to $500,000, with a median of $7,500. It accepts unsolicited requests through a Letter of Interest process, allowing one submission per organization each calendar year.
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Tahoe Community Foundation
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Tahoe Community Foundation funds nonprofits serving the Lake Tahoe Basin in areas including the environment, education and youth, well-being, arts and culture, and community engagement. Action Grants typically range from $2,500 to $5,000; its broader 2025 grantmaking had a median award of $25,000. It accepts Action Grant applications on a rolling basis for quarterly review; the Community Fund has an annual competitive cycle.
Assets
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More similar funders
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