Waves for Water

What Waves for Water does

Waves for Water is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009 by professional surfer Jon Rose in Los Angeles, California, that provides clean water access to underserved communities and disaster-affected populations globally. The organization deploys three core technical solutions: portable water filtration systems (each unit serves up to 100 people for five years, delivering approximately 1,000,000 gallons), bore-hole well construction and renovation, and rainwater harvesting and storage systems. Operations are delivered through three primary program vehicles: the Courier Program, which mobilizes travelers to carry and implement filters in 90+ countries; the Clean Water Corps, a veteran-led task force of 40 personnel operating in West and East regions; and Disaster Relief Programs providing a three-phase response (immediate filtration, community water stations, long-term infrastructure). Across its operating history, the organization has implemented 155 clean water programs across 48 countries, impacted an estimated 3,750,000 people, and responded to 33 major natural disasters.

The organization monetizes exclusively through charitable giving and product sales: individual donations (with $45 funding clean water for 6 families), corporate CSR partnerships with 25+ brands including BMW, Dockers, TUMI, Nike, and PayPal, peer-to-peer fundraising pages, and Courier Program filter sales at $50 per unit. It maintains a small core team of 11–50 employees with country directors in Haiti and Peru, a public health director, and a board that includes Guga Ketzer and Zeb Stewart among others. Geographic footprint spans every populated continent with active programming in the Philippines, Nepal, Haiti, Brazil, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Fiji, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the United States. A monitoring and evaluation program uses customized digital surveys for baseline community water assessment and post-implementation household surveys.

The go-to-market model is community-led and hybrid: implementation occurs through local volunteer networks empowered by the "Help The Helpers" approach, supplemented by veteran-led rapid deployment teams and traveler-mediated distribution. Marketing leverages founder credibility, celebrity ambassadors (Neymar Jr., Quincy Davis), documentary content via Red Bull, organic social campaigns like #NoFilter, and corporate partner amplification. The organization is also officially registered as a charity in Australia, formalizing multi-jurisdiction operations.

Name

Waves for Water

Legal name

Waves For Water, Inc.

Website

https://wavesforwater.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Waves for Water is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers clean water access to underserved communities and disaster zones in 48+ countries through portable filters, bore-hole wells, rainwater harvesting, a traveler Courier Program, and a veteran-led Clean Water Corps.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Clean Water Access Services

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Solutions (BPAGALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Emergency Services (BPAGAAAE), Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Emergency Services (BPADADAD)

Keywords

• Clean water access
• Water filtration systems
• Humanitarian aid services
• Disaster relief programs
• Nonprofit humanitarian organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the website's donation portal. A $45 donation can provide 6 families, or 30 individuals, with clean water for years. Donors can give one-time or recurring donations.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners such as BMW, Dockers, TUMI, Nike, and others fund specific programs, provide product donations, or engage employees in water projects. These include multi-year CSR initiatives and campaign-based support.
3. Fundraising Campaigns: Supporters create personalized crowdfunding pages to raise funds for specific programs. 100% of funds raised are used towards Waves for Water programs.
4. Courier Program Filter Sales: Couriers purchase water filters ($50/filter for MVP Water Filter, also available: Renegade Water Filter) to deliver during their travels. This serves as both a product sale and volunteer mechanism.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Waves for Water provides clean water access to underserved communities and disaster-affected populations through three core technical solutions: portable water filtration systems (each serving 100 people for up to 5 years), bore-hole well construction and renovation, and rainwater harvesting/storage systems. These solutions are delivered via the veteran-led Clean Water Corps, the Courier Program (traveler-volunteer distribution model), and rapid disaster response initiatives across 48+ countries.

Product overview

Waves For Water is a 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization that provides clean water access through three core solutions: portable water filtration systems, rainwater harvesting systems, and bore-hole well construction/renovation. The organization operates several interconnected programs including the Courier Program (DIY volunteer model enabling travelers to distribute filters), the Clean Water Corps (veteran-based task force), and Disaster Relief Programs. Additional offerings include a Fundraising Platform for supporters. The organization has implemented 155 clean water programs in 48 countries, impacting an estimated 3,750,000 people.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Clean Water Corps (CWC): A veteran-based clean water task force within Waves for Water, operated entirely by veterans combining guerrilla humanitarianism with military organization, discipline, strategy and planning to combat global water-borne disease.

Products and services

• Portable Water Filtration Systems
• Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Quantifiable outcome

• One filter provides 100 people with clean water for up to 5 years, delivering 1,000,000 gallons/3,785,410 liters per lifespan
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DockerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year partnership addressing water crisis on two fronts: water conservation in developed world and clean water access in developing world. Humanitarian-focused program targeting factory workers and communities in Dockers' supply chain across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Cambodia.
• BMWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCare4Water CSR Initiative - BMW's largest CSR initiative with Waves for Water. Engages 8,000+ global employees to support water projects. Implemented over 11,000 water filtration systems across Thailand, Mexico, India, South Africa, Brazil, and Mongolia.
• TUMIcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual World Water Day fundraising event partnership. In 2018 alone, implemented 4,381 filtration systems, 28 rain catchment systems, and 12 wells, impacting 300,000+ people worldwide.
• HurleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner from 2011-2019. Focused on engaging the masses to raise awareness of global water crisis and solutions through Waves for Water, providing platform and monetary support.
• NikeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGame Changer Kit partnership - disaster response kit combining sports equipment and clean water filters. Engages youth through soccer balls while teaching water filtration. Sport and water equals health and happiness.
• Red BullminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeature-length documentary about founder Jon Rose and Waves for Water's mission to bring clean water access to everyone. Documentary available on Red Bull TV platform.
• H&MminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLet's Reuse campaign in Philippines - customers charged PhP 2.00 for paper bags, proceeds go to Waves for Water Philippines clean water projects. Multiple implementation locations including Porac, La Union, Tawi-tawi, Bohol, and others.
• PaneraiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Clean Water Corps targeting Honduras and Colombia. Luxury watch maker partners to bring clean water to isolated communities, staying true to military heritage.
• PayPalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCompetition for Good - World Cup partnership with Neymar Jr. Institute. 5,000 water filters implemented, impacting 125,000+ people across 12 cities in Brazil during 2014 World Cup.
• Dakar RallyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial impact project using Dakar off-road rally as footprint to implement water filtration systems for schools and families in Pisco, Marcona, and Arequipa, Peru.
• Free PeopleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCapsule collection of clothing - t-shirt purchases contributed to Free People's $50,000 donation to W4W. Campaign shot with ambassador Quincy Davis during W4W implementations in Puerto Rico.
• AmBevminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject Amazon - surfed Pororoca wave while implementing water filtration systems to riverside villagers along the way in the Amazon.
• Global Shapers CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative of World Economic Forum - network of young people under 30 partnered on projects throughout South and Central America, currently impacting 18,500 people.
• Mitsubishi MotorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRally Dos Sertoes partnership - annual off-road rally in Brazil. Mitsubishi provided 4x4 truck loaded with filters for implementation in villages along the course.
• Hope For HaitiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHurricane Matthew Response - large-scale clean water program in Southwest Haiti devastated by the hurricane. Implemented 1,875 systems in five communities with local team over two months.
• San MiguelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClean water for every Filipino - commitment to provide clean water access in underserved communities in the Philippines through sustainable development.
• World Surf LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2 full seasons of clean water activations in parallel with 18 events globally, impacting 100,000 people. Also supported disaster relief in Viti Levu, Fiji after Cyclone Winston.
• 30 Seconds OutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeploying veterans globally - joined forces with Clean Water Corps to support deploying veterans in the global water crisis.
• Neymar Jr. InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstituto Projeto Neymar Jr. partnered on World Cup clean water initiative in Brazil, providing access to clean water in underserved communities in all host cities.
• Panerai Clean Water ProjectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTargeting Honduras and Colombia with clean water initiatives through Clean Water Corps, bringing access to isolated communities.
• CanvaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanva for Non-Profits partnership since 2021, providing access to clean water to remote communities across the Philippines. Multiple implementation locations including Camarines Sur, Davao Del Sur, Mindoro, Palawan.
• Project PargominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia's first Drinkware company - every purchase provides funds to implement clean water filters. Projects in Indonesia and Philippines including Sumbawa, Zambales, Pangasinan, Isla Verde, Brooke's Point.
• AvedaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShow You Care campaign supporting Waves for Water Philippines. Earth Month celebrations and employee engagement in clean water projects in La Union and Quezon.
• Sunnies StudiosminorGTM or Marketing Partner1% of all sales through 1% for the Planet commitment goes to Waves for Water. Supported provision of water filters to over 3,500 households across 12 provinces in Philippines.
• World Surf League Fiji ReliefminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisaster relief support in Viti Levu, Fiji after Cyclone Winston hit the island on February 20th, 2016.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Water.org: Global nonprofit co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White tackling the water crisis through market-based financing (WaterCredit) and infrastructure. Highly comparable as a brand-led, donation-funded WASH organization working across multiple developing countries.
• charity: water: A US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit exclusively focused on providing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries via funded water projects. The most direct comparand to Waves for Water by mission, donor model, and geographic footprint.
• WaterAid: International nonprofit focused exclusively on clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in the world's poorest communities. Comparable mission, multi-country footprint, and donor-supported operating model.
• Lifewater International: Faith-based nonprofit providing clean water and hygiene education to rural villages in Africa, Asia, and Central America. Comparable community-led WASH model with bore-hole well construction and long-term monitoring programs.
• WaterMission: Christian nonprofit engineering clean water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions in developing countries and disaster zones. Directly comparable WASH deployment model with both sustainable and emergency response programs.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Corps: Large global humanitarian agency working in conflict zones, disasters, and developing countries, with water/sanitation among its core sectors. Comparable in disaster deployment capability and global WASH programming, but at materially larger scale.
• International Rescue Committee: Major humanitarian NGO providing emergency relief, post-conflict support, and long-term development, including WASH programming. Comparable as a disaster-driven humanitarian org with multi-country footprint, much larger staff and budget.
• Concern Worldwide: Larger international humanitarian organization addressing extreme poverty through programs including water and sanitation. Comparable in disaster response, multi-country operations, and donation-based funding at greater scale.
• UNICEF (WASH Programs): United Nations agency with the largest global WASH mandate, funding and implementing water and sanitation programs across 150+ countries. Comparable in WASH focus and disaster response scale, but operates as an intergovernmental body rather than a small nonprofit.

Regional players

• Hope for Haiti: Haitian-based nonprofit delivering clean water, food security, education, and health programs in southern Haiti, with active WASH deployment similar to Waves for Water's Caribbean disaster response work (e.g., Hurricane Matthew). Comparable as a boots-on-the-ground WASH nonprofit; smaller and Haiti-specific geographically.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wavesforwater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waves-for-water

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waves for Water