About
Lifewater International is a Christian water development organization that began in 1977 "with a bold vision: to provide safe water as a tangible expression of God's love." In 2024, Lifewater International completed an official merger with Water for Good, a nonprofit founded in 2004 to tackle water insecurity in the Central African Republic, and the unified organization now operates under the Water for Good name. The former lifewater.org website today redirects to waterforgood.org, and Lifewater's decades of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) experience continue through the combined organization's work in Central and East Africa.
Mission
The combined organization's stated mission is "transforming lives through sustainable access to safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene in the places that need it most," with the vision that "every child experiences safe water, a healthy community, and God's love." It describes itself as a faith-based, registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose core values are love, curiosity, collaboration, sustainability, and stewardship.
What they do
- Water access: drilling wells and providing reliable water services, delivered by "a network of community workers, educators, well drillers, and maintenance technicians"
- Sanitation: improving sanitation infrastructure in the communities where it works
- Hygiene: community hygiene education and promotion
- Ongoing maintenance: a service model with maintenance technicians on staff, reflecting a commitment to keeping water points working rather than only installing them
- Church partnership: as a Christian, faith-based organization it partners with local churches to serve vulnerable populations
History
Lifewater International was founded in 1977. Water for Good was founded in 2004 with a mission focused on the Central African Republic. In 2024 the two organizations "joined forces, completing an official merger that combined decades of experience, innovation, and faith-driven service." The merged organization's programs focus on the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Scale and impact
Figures published by the merged organization include reliable water services for over 1.3 million people annually, a 90% water point functionality rate, a median reduction in childhood diarrhea of 90% in the areas studied, and a goal of reaching an additional 50,000 people every year. It also cites $3 million in annual savings redirected through the combined operation.
Financials
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer lists the legal entity Lifewater Inc (EIN 95-3987142), an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3). Its fiscal year 2023 Form 990 data show total revenue of about $6.1 million, total expenses of about $6.6 million, and year-end assets of about $2.2 million.