Ugandan Water Project

What Ugandan Water Project does

Ugandan Water Project (UWP), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2008 and headquartered in Lima, New York, with field operations in Uganda. The organization funds and directly implements clean water infrastructure solutions for rural and peri-urban Ugandan communities and schools that lack reliable access to safe drinking water. Its portfolio spans rainwater harvesting systems, borehole well drilling and rehabilitation, Sawyer Point-One hollow membrane water filters, solar-mechanized pumping systems, household connections, hygiene and sanitation installations, and long-term maintenance programs (AquaTrust). Field implementation is performed by UWP's own Ugandan staff rather than subcontractors, with a stated installation timeline of 30-60 days from funding. The organization monitors projects using the mWater data platform and an internal RUMIS management system, providing donors with GPS coordinates, photos, and impact data across the project lifecycle.

The organization's revenue model is diversified donation philanthropy. Funding streams include individual one-time and recurring gifts (including 'The River' monthly program), project sponsorship, corporate matching gifts, donor-advised fund grants (via Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard), stock and cryptocurrency donations (via The Giving Block), QCD/RMD distributions from IRAs, planned/legacy gifts, and foundation grants from partners including the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Donor acquisition occurs through content marketing, social media, email newsletters, peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, and experiential channels including Vision Trips to Uganda ($3,500 per trip) and an annual golf tournament at Ravenwood Golf Club.

Beneficiaries are concentrated in Uganda, including schools (e.g., His Grace Infant & Primary School), rural communities, and clinics. Strategic partners span foundations (Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Kind Human Foundation), implementing organizations (World Vision, Wine to Water, Hope Water), technology platforms (mWater, Give Lively, The Giving Block), and Ugandan government entities (Ministry of Water and Environment). The organization has served 234,975+ individuals through 688+ funded projects and reports an average time savings of 81 hours per school per week from rainwater collection installations.

Name

Ugandan Water Project

Legal name

Ugandan Water Project, Inc.

Website

https://ugandanwaterproject.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ugandan Water Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds and directly implements clean water infrastructure (rainwater harvesting, borehole wells, filters, solar-mechanized systems) in underserved Ugandan communities and schools through donations and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clean Water Infrastructure (WASH Nonprofit)

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Solutions (BPAGALAI), WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Organizations (HLAJAKAI), WASH & Public Health (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) (BPADAIAG)

Keywords

• Clean water solutions
• Rainwater harvesting systems
• Borehole well drilling
• Water filtration installations
• WASH nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lima

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individual supporters for clean water projects in Uganda. Donors can give one-time or monthly recurring gifts, sponsor specific projects, or contribute to fundraising campaigns.
2. Corporate Matching Gifts: Corporate employee donation matching programs where employers match employee contributions to Ugandan Water Project
3. Donor-Advised Funds: Grants from donor-advised fund accounts allowing donors to recommend distributions to Ugandan Water Project through sponsoring organizations like Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard
4. Gifts of Stock: Donation of appreciated securities (stocks, bonds, mutual fund shares) directly to the organization, providing tax benefits while avoiding capital gains
5. QCD/RMD Donations: Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs for donors aged 70½+, counting toward Required Minimum Distributions while excluding amounts from taxable income
6. Cryptocurrency Donations: Acceptance of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies through The Giving Block platform, providing tax-efficient giving options for crypto holders
7. Planned/Legacy Gifts: Bequests, life insurance beneficiary designations, and appreciated securities through estate planning
8. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations including Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Global Water Center, and other strategic partners for water infrastructure projects

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ugandan Water Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds and directly implements clean water solutions for rural and peri-urban communities and schools in Uganda. Its core offerings include rainwater collection systems, borehole well drilling, borehole well rehabilitation, Sawyer point-one water filters, solar-mechanized systems, hygiene and sanitation solutions, household connections, and the AquaTrust and RUMIS programs for long-term sustainable management. Projects are funded entirely through donations, grants, and sponsorships and installed by UWP's own Ugandan staff within 30–60 days.

Product overview

Ugandan Water Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds and implements clean water solutions in Uganda. The organization operates a portfolio of water access products including Rainwater Collection Systems, Borehole Well Rehabilitation, New Borehole Wells, Sawyer Point-One Water Filters, Solar-Mechanized Systems, Hygiene & Sanitation Solutions, Household Connections, AquaTrust (water trust management), and RUMIS (project monitoring). Projects are implemented directly rather than through partners, with a guaranteed installation timeline of 30-60 days. The organization accepts donations through multiple channels including cryptocurrency (via The Giving Block), stock gifts, ACH, checks, and legacy planned gifts. Supplementary offerings include Vision Trips to Uganda for donor engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rainwater Collection Systems Community-based rainwater harvesting systems that collect and store rainwater for drinking and household use, particularly in areas without access to groundwater; installed directly by UWP's Ugandan staff for schools and communities.
• Borehole Well Rehabilitation Restoration and repair of existing borehole wells that have fallen into disrepair due to rusted pipes or lack of maintenance funds, returning them to working condition for Ugandan communities.
• New Borehole Wells (Drilling) Construction of new borehole wells to provide Ugandan communities without existing water infrastructure with access to clean groundwater through professional drilling.
• Sawyer Point-One Water Filters Hollow membrane water filtration systems deployed for households and communities in Uganda that remove harmful bacteria and contaminants from water to provide portable clean drinking water.
• Solar-Mechanized Systems Solar-powered mechanized water pumping and distribution systems that provide reliable, off-grid water access to larger Ugandan communities through sustainable energy.
• Hygiene & Sanitation Solutions Handwashing stations and sanitation infrastructure installed alongside clean water projects in Uganda to prevent waterborne disease and promote community health.
• Household Connections Direct household water connections that bring clean water from community water systems to individual homes and residences within Ugandan communities.
• AquaTrust Water trust program providing long-term sustainable management and maintenance of installed water projects for beneficiary communities in Uganda.
• RUMIS Rural Uganda Management and Implementation System providing water project management and monitoring for tracking installations, performance, and impact across UWP's Uganda operations.
• Vision Trips to Uganda Two-week experiential trips to Uganda for donors and supporters to visit water project installation sites, meet beneficiary communities, and engage with UWP's field operations; includes airfare, visa, housing, meals, and in-country transportation at $3,500 per participant.

Quantifiable outcome

• 234,975+ individuals served with clean water access
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered top partner, core and minor.

• Global Water Centertop partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerTop strategic partner in water sector collaboration and program development.
• Ministry of Water and Environment (Uganda)top partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for water and environment initiatives in Uganda, providing regulatory alignment and program support.
• mWatertop partnerTechnology or IntegrationData platform partner enabling real-time project data collection, monitoring, and transparent reporting across 157 countries. Provides GPS tracking, photos, survey information, and impact metrics for all UWP projects.
• Uptime Catalyst Facilitytop partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner focused on water infrastructure reliability and sustainability.
• Woord En Daadtop partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerTop implementing partner organization for water programs.
• World Visiontop partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor implementing organization partner for water projects in Uganda.
• Wine To WatercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNonprofit implementing water projects, listed among other implementing organizations and organizational partners.
• H2O for LifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner connecting schools in the US with water projects in developing countries, supporting student fundraising and awareness.
• One Day's WagescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPoverty-focused organization that committed to matching donations 1:1 for four school water projects, doubling donor impact through matching grants.
• Hope WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater-focused nonprofit implementing projects, listed as both strategic and other foundation partner.
• The Giving BlockcoreTechnology or IntegrationCryptocurrency donation platform enabling acceptance of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major cryptocurrencies with tax receipt generation.
• Give LivelycoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline donation processing platform handling credit/debit card, ACH, and digital payments. Processes donations and provides related services under their privacy policy.
• Acts for Water (ACTS)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOther implementing organization for water projects.
• Project MajiminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOther implementing organization for water projects.
• Save the Children InternationalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMajor international NGO implementing child-focused water programs.
• Surge for WaterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWater-focused nonprofit implementing projects.
• Water for GoodminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChristian nonprofit implementing water projects in Uganda.
• Wells of LifeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChristian nonprofit focused on drilling wells and providing clean water.
• Whave SolutionsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWater solutions organization implementing projects.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wine To Water: Wine To Water is a faith-rooted nonprofit implementing clean water projects globally and is listed as a UWP partner. It directly competes for the same faith-motivated individual donor base and runs a similar portfolio of well drilling and filtration solutions.
• charity: water: charity: water is one of the largest WASH-focused nonprofits, funding clean water projects in developing countries through individual donations and a strong transparency/tech brand. It is the most comparable direct peer in terms of donor-funded WASH model and digital transparency positioning.
• Living Water International: Living Water International is a faith-rooted WASH nonprofit drilling wells and implementing hygiene programs across Africa and Latin America. Its portfolio of solutions and faith-driven donor base closely match Ugandan Water Project's positioning.
• Surge for Water: Surge for Water is a nonprofit implementing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene programs in developing communities. Listed as a UWP partner, it operates a similar project-based model serving schools and communities.
• Wells of Life: Wells of Life is a Christian nonprofit focused on drilling wells in Uganda specifically, making it an extremely close geographic and thematic peer. Both target Ugandan communities with borehole drilling and rehabilitation.
• Hope Water: Hope Water is a faith-based WASH nonprofit and listed UWP partner that funds clean water projects in developing communities. Its mission, donor profile, and small-staff operating model closely mirror Ugandan Water Project.
• Project Maji: Project Maji deploys solar-powered water kiosks across rural Africa, including Uganda. It overlaps with UWP's solar-mechanized solutions and shares the focus on sustainable off-grid water infrastructure.
• Water for Good: Water for Good is a Christian nonprofit drilling and maintaining wells in the Central African Republic, listed as a UWP partner. Both organizations share the faith-rooted WASH model and emphasis on long-term community stewardship rather than one-off installations.

Broad incumbents

• World Vision: World Vision is a massive international NGO operating WASH programs as part of a broader child-focused portfolio, and is a listed UWP partner. It dwarfs UWP in scale and donor reach, competing for the same institutional and individual WASH funding.

Emerging players

• H2O for Life: H2O for Life connects US schools with water projects in developing countries and is a UWP partner. Its school-based peer-to-peer fundraising model directly complements UWP's school rainwater collection deployments and shared education-segment focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/UgandanWaterProject
• Facebookfacebook.com/UgandanWaterProject
• Xx.com/ugandanwater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ugandan-water-project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Ugandan Water Project