H2O for Life
H2O for Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 that connects K-12 schools, youth groups, and faith-based organizations in the US, Canada, and internationally with WASH projects at partner schools in developing countries, using a service-learning model with free curriculum, matched fundraising, and mini-grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersMinnesota City, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What H2O for Life does
H2O for Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 and headquartered in White Bear Lake, Minnesota (EIN #26-0338552). Its mission is to activate youth to help solve the global water crisis by connecting K-12 schools, youth groups, and faith-based organizations in the US and Canada with WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) projects at partner schools in developing countries. Schools select a project, conduct fundraising activities such as Walk for Water events, penny wars, and classroom campaigns, and the funds are matched dollar-for-dollar by H2O for Life's network of 20+ implementing NGO partners, including Drop in the Bucket, Water for South Sudan, Dig Deep, Lifewater, El Porvenir, and World Water Relief. Beneficiary projects have spanned Uganda, Haiti, Tanzania, South Sudan, Kenya, India, the Dominican Republic, and Nigeria, with cumulative school donations exceeding $2 million by the end of the 2013-14 school year.
The organization distributes a portfolio of free offerings through its web platform at h2oforlifeschools.org: K-12 lesson plans, the Water Guardians curriculum (a five-lesson Google Classroom-compatible program), a cross-curricular "A Long Walk to Water" learning guide, a free Service-Learning Toolkit, and a High School Fellowship Program for ages 14-18 that runs as an international monthly cohort. It also disburses mini-grants of up to $500 to reduce participation barriers for under-resourced schools. The annual Water Ball gala in Minnesota serves as the primary fundraising and community event. H2O for Life holds GuideStar/Candid transparency seals and is supported by corporate partners including P&G (Children's Safe Drinking Water), Xcel Energy Foundation, Pentair, and Kinetico, alongside educational intermediaries such as Rotary International/WASRAG, Lions Club, Ashoka, NYLC, and YSA.
The business model is donations- and grants-based, with all educational resources provided free of charge. Revenue mechanics rely on individual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and event proceeds (Water Ball gala, Walk for Water events). The organization operates with a lean team of approximately four employees and no subsidiaries, parent company, or disclosed financial statements; program impact is tracked through school-level case studies and a blog archive spanning 2012-2026.
H2O for Life firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- H2O for Life
- Legal name
- H2O for Life
- Website
- https://h2oforlifeschools.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- H2O for Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 that connects K-12 schools, youth groups, and faith-based organizations in the US, Canada, and internationally with WASH projects at partner schools in developing countries, using a service-learning model with free curriculum, matched fundraising, and mini-grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
H2O for Life industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Service-Learning Programs
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Global Health & School Health Partnerships (WASH, Nutrition, SRH) (EDADALAH), Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)
Keywords
Where H2O for Life is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minnesota City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
H2O for Life business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: H2O for Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN #26-0338552) funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporate partners, and foundation grants. Donor information is kept strictly confidential and not sold, rented, or traded.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | All lesson plans are free to all educators |
| Subscription | Others | Mini-Grants of up to $500 for service-learning projects |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
H2O for Life product offering
Product offeringCore offering
H2O for Life operates a school-to-school service-learning platform that connects K-12 schools, youth groups, and faith-based organizations in the US and Canada with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects at partner schools in developing countries. Participating groups raise funds through activities such as Walk for Water events, and implementing NGO partners match those funds dollar-for-dollar to deliver wells, rainwater collection systems, handwashing stations, and water filters at beneficiary schools.
Product overview
H2O for Life operates as a unified service-learning platform centered on its core program connecting schools with global water projects. The offering portfolio includes educational curriculum products (Lesson Plans, Water Guardians Curriculum), youth leadership development (High School Fellowship Program), financial support tools (Service Learning Mini-Grants), and programmatic resources (Free Service-Learning Toolkit). Signature activities like Walk for Water and the annual Water Ball gala provide hands-on fundraising experiences. All educational resources are provided free of charge to remove participation barriers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Service-Learning Program Core school-to-school service-learning program connecting US/Canadian K-12 schools, youth groups, and faith-based organizations with partner schools in developing countries, enabling students to raise awareness and funds for water, sanitation, and hygiene projects.
- High School Fellowship Program Leadership development program for high school students ages 14-18 that includes monthly cohort meetings, learning from water-sector experts, leading fundraising projects, earning service hours, and being recognized as Global Changemakers.
- Service Learning Mini-Grants Financial grants of up to $500 provided to teachers and students to kick-start their service-learning projects and remove financial barriers to participation. Students must apply with a teacher sponsor.
- Water Guardians Curriculum A free web-based curriculum of five virtual lesson plans that takes students on a journey from the start of the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico and other parts of the world to learn about the global water crisis.
- Free Service-Learning Toolkit Free downloadable guide providing program leaders with tools to engage students in fun enrichment experiences exploring water themes.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $2 million donated by participating schools by 2014; $420,000 in 2011-12 school year alone; 206 schools participated in 2011-12 partnering with 106 schools in developing countries
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use H2O for Life
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
H2O for Life technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
H2O for Life partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Drop in the BucketcoreImplementing NGO partner that identifies schools in need and executes water/sanitation projects in the field (primarily Uganda). Matches funds raised by H2O for Life schools dollar-for-dollar. Executive Director John Travis coordinates school visits and project implementation.
- Water for South SudancoreImplementing NGO partner that drills wells and provides water/sanitation solutions in South Sudan. Matches dollar-for-dollar on funds raised by H2O for Life schools. South Sudan-based team handles drilling and training of local Water Management Committees.
- Dig DeepcoreUS-based implementing partner (member of Policy and Sector Building Team referenced in fellowship program) that works on water access projects. Listed as implementing partner on H2O for Life website.
- LifewatercoreImplementing NGO partner operating globally. Listed among implementing partners on H2O for Life website.
- El PorvenircoreImplementing partner for Nicaragua. Director of US Operations (Jenna Saldaña) and Executive Director (Rob Bell) participate in H2O for Life fellowship program as impact speakers.
- World Water ReliefcoreImplementing partner for Haiti and Dominican Republic. Guarantees ten-year maintenance on water filtration systems. Local staff visit each project site weekly. Intern Jed Snyder documented the organization's commitment to sustainability.
- Rotary International / WASRAGcoreLong-standing partnership with Rotary clubs around the world. WASRAG (Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group) collaborates on projects. Rotary clubs engage with H2O for Life school projects and provide additional funding. In 2012, 15 projects were collaborated on in Tanzania and Malawi with WASRAG and Rotary International.
- Summit on the SummitminorTransmedia initiative founded in 2009 by Grammy-nominated musician Kenna, designed to drive awareness of the global clean water crisis. H2O for Life's Director of School Programs Steve Hall participated in a celebrity climb up Mount Kilimanjaro in January 2013 as H2O's global classroom educator. Curriculum was co-branded with Summit.
- NyakacoreImplementing NGO partner (Uganda-focused). Listed among implementing partners on the H2O for Life website.
- Lions ClubminorEducational/service organization partner listed on H2O for Life's educational partners page. Lions Club members engage with school projects.
- AshokaminorAshoka Changemaker Schools network recognizes schools like Salem Hills Elementary for their work with H2O for Life. Salem Hills is designated an Ashoka Changemaker School for work around empathy, leadership, problem-solving and teamwork.
- iKnowObstaclesminorPartnership with iKnowObstacles parkour and movement tour/film project. Goal to generate awareness of water crisis through parkour athletes (Max Henry, Meagan Martin, Nicholas Coolridge, Jesse Danger) and the Movement Creative. Co-branded with Global Water Challenge and H2O for Life.
- Young Storytellers (YSA)minorEducational partner listed on H2O for Life website. YSA engages youth in service and storytelling.
- National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC)minorHost of the Monumental national service-learning conference in DC. H2O for Life attended and connected with service-learning schools, teachers and students.
- Action4Schools, Drink Local Drink Tap, Freshwater International, GRAVIS, KRA, Mvula Trust, Outreach Foundation, PIND, Pure Water, St. Paul Partners, Ugandan Water Project, VARAS, The Water Project, YPDDFcore20+ implementing NGO partners operating worldwide (Africa, Asia, Latin America). Each identifies schools in need, matches funds dollar-for-dollar, and executes WASH projects. Partners listed with logos on partners page.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
H2O for Life competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Water.org: Global WASH organization co-founded by Matt Damon, focused on financing water and sanitation solutions. Broad incumbent with overlapping mission in developing-country water access.
- WaterAid America: Large, established international WASH NGO with global school WASH and hygiene programs. Operates broadly across water, sanitation, and hygiene advocacy rather than a school-activism niche.
- charity: water: High-profile WASH nonprofit funding clean-water projects in developing countries. Overlaps on water access but operates at much larger scale with a mass-market donor model.
Others
- Global Water Challenge: Coalition of corporations, NGOs, and governments advancing WASH solutions globally. Connected ecosystem partner — co-branded with H2O for Life on awareness initiatives like iKnowObstacles.
Direct peers
- Water For People: International WASH nonprofit with a strong 'everyone forever' model and school water/sanitation programming. Operates in similar geographies and runs comparable school-based WASH initiatives.
- Thirst Project: Youth-driven nonprofit that mobilizes students and schools to fund clean-water access in developing countries. Closely matches H2O for Life's school-led fundraising model and WASH focus.
- Blood:Water: Engages young people and faith communities in fundraising for WASH and HIV/AIDS work in Africa. Comparable youth-activist, school-and-church-driven model targeting WASH.
- Lifewater International: Christian WASH nonprofit drilling wells and installing sanitation at schools in developing countries. Direct overlap as both an implementing partner of H2O for Life and an organization running school-focused WASH programs.
- The Water Project: Funds sustainable clean-water solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, including school water projects. Listed as an H2O for Life implementing partner and addresses the same school-WASH use case.
- Drop in the Bucket: Builds wells and sanitation at schools in sub-Saharan Africa and is an implementing partner of H2O for Life. Highly comparable school-focused WASH delivery model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
H2O for Life social profiles
Digital presenceH2O for Life financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
H2O for Life leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
H2O for Life funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
H2O for Life M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about H2O for Life
What does H2O for Life do?
H2O for Life operates a school-to-school service-learning platform that connects K-12 schools, youth groups, and faith-based organizations in the US and Canada with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects at partner schools in developing countries. Participating groups raise funds through activities such as Walk for Water events, and implementing NGO partners match those funds dollar-for-dollar to deliver wells, rainwater collection systems, handwashing stations, and water filters at beneficiary schools.
Is H2O for Life a public or private company?
H2O for Life is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was H2O for Life founded?
H2O for Life was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is H2O for Life based?
H2O for Life is headquartered in Minnesota City, United States, in the North America region.
How does H2O for Life make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Grants.
Who are H2O for Life's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Water.org, WaterAid America and charity: water. Global Water Challenge is listed as an others. Direct peers are Water For People, Thirst Project, Blood:Water, Lifewater International, The Water Project and Drop in the Bucket.
Does H2O for Life have an API?
No public API is recorded for H2O for Life.
What industry is H2O for Life in?
H2O for Life's product category is Nonprofit Service-Learning Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAC, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), with a secondary code of EDADALAH, Global Health & School Health Partnerships (WASH, Nutrition, SRH).