Updates

Help me celebrate 26 rotations around the sun by donating $26 to this great organization!

The first charity I'm raising money for is focused on water. Why water? Well charity: water answers that question really well I think. For one thing diseases from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.

Water is an essential part of human existence, and clean water is necessary for any community to thrive. Clean water access creates a domino effect in a community freeing up time for education, social change, infrastructure building and healthcare. It creates opportunities for women & children to improve their & their families lives.

Clean water helps to prevent many of the diseases that other charities spend money fighting. The WHO reports that over 3.6% of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.

When a water project is built in a community, members can often use the new water source to grow small gardens near their homes and secure their own food supply. Self-sufficient households are less affected by conflict, famine or inadequate government services.

It makes economic sense too. Every $1 invested in improved water supply and sanitation can yield from $4 to $12
for the local economy, depending on the type of project.

It's these ripple effect of change that makes a cause powerful and meaningful in the lives of those they impact, and what makes our donations effective.

Another key part of my campaign is to encourage people to think more deeply about why and how they give. Be it time or money or services I want to ask everyone to think about the way that they give and challenge each of you to be as effective with your giving as you can be.

One reason I chose charity: water for my campaign is because of the unique way they function as an organization. 100% of every dollar we raise will directly fund water project costs. And when the project we help fund in complete we will get a report like this.

They also do an amazing job of picking appropriate technologies and partners for each discrete area they work in. They track their work meticulously and consistently self-assess to ensure that the money they receive is used efficiently. They monitory their projects after completion, partner with local governments and focus on community participation and local ownership. But again they do a better job of explaining their approach than I do.

I would love it if you took a moment to consider the importance of donating not just to a cause you believe in but in an organization that embodies effective change in the area you care about.

Beyond being effective in a given area I value organization who value the people that make their vision and mission come true. All to often we asses nonprofits by how little they spend on administrative costs. It is my sincere belief (and there is growing evidence) that organizations, people, and communities function best when you function in an atmosphere of plenty rather than approaching everything from a place of scarcity. No one does their best work when they are focused on periphery concerns.

I believe charity: water embodies this new change oriented efficient organization.

So what do you think? Are you up for the challenge?

Wait.. did you read all that?! Oh thanks! I'm glad you found it worth reading. If you are interested in learning or talking more about efficient, modern work in nonprofit organizations I have a few suggestions.

1. I would recommend you look into Effective Altruism. Chances are good there is a group in your area. 
2. I would encourage you to think about the culture of each charity you donate to. Ask yourself - would I want to work there? Check them out on Glassdoor or with Payscale and see what their employees have to say.
3. If you are really into the idea of effecting change & working to save lives and reduce suffering around the world consider taking a pledge to donate. The Life You Can Save has this pledge along with an income evaluator, or if you are more ambitious Giving What We Can has one too.

Resources

There are lots of ways you can help & I've made it easy for you by creating images, emails, tweets and loads of sharable content for you! Check it out on the Resources page for water.