Water First International

“The organization does not have a committee with authority to act on behalf of the board.”

“The form 990 is first reviewed by the executive director, then by the board treasurer, and then it is sent to the entire board via email before it is filed. Board members are given a date by which to respond giving the executive director the authority to file the form 990 on behalf of the organization.”

“All water 1st employees and board members are covered under our conflict of interest policy. We must not only avoid actual conflicts of interest, but also avoid situations that may create any appearance that a conflict exists. Conflicts are determined at the board level and are reviewed by the board. Employees and board members have a duty to disclose any possible conflicts. After disclosure, the remaining board shall decide by majority vote if a conflict of interest exists. These discussions and votes are recorded in written meeting minutes. We also have procedures if we find violations of our policy.”

“The executive director is currently the only compensated officer in our organization. The board governance committee undertakes an annual performance review, interviewing board and staff members for input. Compensation is partly based on this review, and also based on bench-marking compensation data from other similar nonprofits. At the board's annual november meeting, the budget for the year is approved, including the compensation for the executive director. The executive director is not present for this discussion, not does the executive director have a vote on this topic or any other board vote. The process described here was last completed in december 2024.”

“Our audited financial statements are available on our website for download and upon request. All other documents, such as our governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and other documents of interest to our supporters are available upon request.”

“Water first international (the organization) is a nonprofit corporation formed in 2005 to provide grants to nongovernmental organizations (ngos) based in developing countries in order to support the implementation of projects that include provision of drinking water, hygiene education, and sanitary latrines. The organization works with the ngos in some of the poorest communities in the world to support sustainable, community-managed solutions to water supply and sanitation problems. In 2024, the organization completed 334 projects serving 6,877 people. Every project incorporates access to water and toilets, hygiene education, and community development. As of december 2024, the water first community contributed over ($36 million to support 5,153 projects serving 290,197 people in six countries. We estimate that over 160 million cumulative hours of water-collection labor have been saved as a result of water1st projects. In bangladesh, the organization initiated a new contract with its local implementing partner, defining new geographic areas within the large urban centers of dhaka, chattogram, and khulna to focus project interventions. 334 water systems serving 6,877 people in informal urban settlements were completed. The organization's goal is to maximize cost-effectiveness by leveraging local resources. Project participants in the organization's bangladesh program pay 100% of the capital costs of their projects through two-year loans. The loans are repaid to the local non-governmental organization, who is the recipient of water first's grants. Repaid loan funds are revolved and used for additional water and sanitation projects and create a sustainable source of funds for water first's bangladesh partner. In honduras, the organization's projects provide access to piped water and toilets at every household, community center, school and clinic. Three projects were completed in 2024 serving 851 people. Five new projects were initiated. An additional 10 projects are underway serving over 4,000 people. In honduras, project users and the local government contribute cash, labor, and local materials, which are valued at up to 50% of the total project cost. The organization's honduras partner has the capacity to provide assistance for water system construction, expansion, and repair on a loan basis, further leveraging local resources. In kenya, the organization continues to work through two local implementing partners in western kenya. Phase 1 of the emukoye project was completed, serving 947 people. Work began on a second phase, with the objective of extending water and sanitation services to an additional 200 households (roughly 1,500 people) in the neighboring communities. Completion of phase 1 of the kokelo project was delayed due to construction challenges. That implementing partner initiated work on a second project to serve the neighboring nyatigo area, which is scheduled to be completed in 2025 and serve 1,000 people.”