Water Education Foundation
Water Education Foundation is a Sacramento-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1977 that delivers nonpartisan education, news, training, tours, and publications on California and Western U.S. water issues for water professionals, policymakers, K-12 educators, agricultural stakeholders, and the general public.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersSacramento, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Water Education Foundation does
Water Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1977 and headquartered in Sacramento, California (2151 River Plaza Drive, Suite 205), that delivers nonpartisan education, news, and training on California and Western water issues and policy. It serves a heterogeneous audience spanning water professionals and policymakers, K-12 educators, agricultural stakeholders, agency staff, and the general public, operating as a neutral convener rather than an advocacy organization. Topics span the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Colorado River Basin, groundwater management under SGMA, water rights, drought, climate change, and tribal water issues, with programmatic reach extending across California, Nevada, Oregon, and the broader Western United States (and limited references to Mexico).\n\nThe Foundation's product stack is an integrated educational content ecosystem rather than a single technology platform. Knowledge assets include Aquapedia (a vetted online water encyclopedia with an alphabetical subject index and historical water-people timeline), Western Water (an in-depth news publication with a deep print archive), Aquafornia (a daily water news aggregation service), and the Layperson's Guides series covering the Delta, Colorado River Basin, Klamath River Basin, Central Valley Project, State Water Project, groundwater, water rights law, water marketing, agricultural drainage, and water conservation. GIS-based mapping products include the California Water Map, Colorado River Basin Map, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Map, Klamath River Watershed Map, California Groundwater Map, Truckee River Basin Map, Nevada Water Map, Carson River Basin Map, and San Joaquin River Restoration Map. A media catalog of videos and DVDs (e.g., 'Discovering the Delta,' 'Salt of the Earth,' 'Shaping of the West') complements the written products. Underlying technology is a digital content platform with topic-based organization (Water Academy) and a Shopify-backed online storefront.\n\nExperiential and programmatic offerings include nine branded Water Tour itineraries (Northern California, Lower Colorado River, Klamath River, Kern River, Bay-Delta, Central Valley, Eastern Sierra, Central Coast, San Joaquin River Restoration), the annual Water Summit, the cohort-based Water Leaders professional development program with an alumni network, and Project WET (Water Education Today) workshops for K-12 educators with California Content Standard correlations and Foundation School Programs. Revenue is generated across five streams: memberships and donations (501(c)(3), Federal Tax ID #942419885), publication and map sales through the Shopify storefront with bulk-order discounts for 25+ copies, registration fees for tours and events, Project WET workshop fees, and grants and sponsorships (including for the Carson River Basin and Klamath River Watershed maps). Distribution combines digital channels (website, Aquapedia, Aquafornia newsletter, social channels on LinkedIn/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram) with in-person channels (tours, Water Summit, workshops), reaching an SMB-to-enterprise audience primarily across the Western United States.
Water Education Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Water Education Foundation
- Legal name
- Water Education Foundation
- Website
- https://watereducation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Water Education Foundation is a Sacramento-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1977 that delivers nonpartisan education, news, training, tours, and publications on California and Western U.S. water issues for water professionals, policymakers, K-12 educators, agricultural stakeholders, and the general public.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Water Education Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Resources Education and Policy Training
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
Keywords
Where Water Education Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sacramento
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Water Education Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Membership and Donations: The Foundation accepts memberships and donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donors can contribute in someone's honor or memory, become regular contributors, or support specific projects. Federal tax ID #942419885.
- Publication and Map Sales: Sale of educational materials including Layperson's Guides, maps and posters, books, videos and DVDs, and other water-related publications. Bulk orders available with discounts for 25+ copies.
- Event and Tour Fees: Registration fees for water tours (multi-day field trips exploring water infrastructure and issues) and events including the annual Water Summit and specialized programs like Water Leaders.
- Project WET Workshops: Fees for Project WET (Water Education Today) workshops for educators, including supplementary materials and Foundation School Programs for elementary and secondary students.
- Grants and Sponsorships: Funding from grants and event/program sponsorships, including support for specific initiatives like the Colorado River Project and groundwater conferences.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual publications and maps available for purchase |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Water Education Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Water Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces and sells educational publications, maps, and digital content on California and Western U.S. water issues, and delivers paid Water Tours, Project WET educator workshops, the Water Leaders cohort program, and the annual Water Summit. Its offerings include the Layperson's Guide series, Aquapedia online encyclopedia, Western Water magazine, Aquafornia news aggregation, and GIS-based regional water maps sold through its online store and at events.
Product overview
The Water Education Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization offering a portfolio of water-focused publications, tours, programs, and digital resources. Its core products include the Layperson's Guides series (in-depth publications on California water topics), Maps & Posters (geographic water resource maps), and Aquapedia (online encyclopedia). The Foundation provides Water Tours (field trip programs exploring water issues), Water Academy (topic-based educational resource), and Water Leaders (professional development program). News coverage is delivered through Western Water magazine and Aquafornia news blog. Specialized programs include Project WET (educator workshops), Colorado River Project, and the annual Water Summit conference. All offerings work together to educate the public, policymakers, and water professionals about California and western United States water issues.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Project WET: Water Education Today program for educators
- Aquapedia
- Aquafornia
- Western Water
- Water Leaders
- Water Tours
Products and services
- Layperson's Guides Series A series of in-depth, accessible publications covering California water topics including California Water, the Delta, Colorado River Basin, Klamath River Basin, Central Valley Project, State Water Project, Groundwater, Water Rights Law, Water Marketing, Agricultural Drainage, and Water Conservation, intended for water professionals, educators, students, and the general public.
- Maps and Posters Geographic maps and posters including California Water Map, Colorado River Basin Map, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Map, Klamath River Watershed Map, California Groundwater Map, Truckee River Basin Map, Nevada Water Map, Carson River Basin Map, and San Joaquin River Restoration Map, purchased by water professionals, agencies, educators, and the general public.
- Water Tours Paid multi-day field trips exploring California water issues including Northern California tours, Lower Colorado River tours, Central Valley tours, Bay-Delta tours, Klamath River tours, Kern River tours, San Joaquin River Restoration tours, Eastern Sierra tours, and Central Coast tours, designed for water professionals, policymakers, agricultural stakeholders, and engaged members of the public.
- Aquapedia Online Encyclopedia Online water encyclopedia providing vetted, objective information on California and Western water topics, with alphabetical subject list, historical water people, timelines, videos, image gallery, and water-related organization directory, available to water professionals, students, and the general public.
- Western Water Publication The Foundation's in-depth news publication providing in-depth coverage of water issues facing California and the West, including articles on the Colorado River, groundwater, drought, and water policy, available to water professionals, policymakers, and engaged subscribers.
- Aquafornia Water News Blog Daily water news blog aggregating curated water news from various sources across the Western United States, providing ongoing coverage of California and regional water issues for water professionals, media, and the general public.
- Project WET (Water Education Today) Water Education Today program providing workshops for educators, supplementary materials, California Content Standard correlations, Foundation School Programs for elementary and secondary students, and Water Kids curriculum, offered to K-12 teachers, schools, and districts.
- Water Leaders Program Professional development cohort program with yearly class reports, alumni network, and alumni profiles, designed to cultivate water sector leaders for emerging water professionals.
- Water Academy Online centralized resource for researching specific water topics, providing news articles, Aquapedia definitions, background information, tours, events, and publications organized by topic areas including Agriculture, Bay-Delta, Dams, Environmental Issues, Rivers, Water Issues, Water Quality, and Water Supply.
- Water Summit Conference Annual premier Foundation conference featuring leading policymakers and experts addressing critical water issues in California and across the West, including keynote speakers and panel discussions with registration fees for water industry professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders.
- Colorado River Project Specialized program providing educational materials, tours, and resources related to the Colorado River basin, including coverage of California Water Map, Colorado River Basin Map, and Lower Colorado River tours, supported by grants and event sponsorships.
- Videos and DVDs Educational video content including 'Discovering the Delta' video series, 'Salt of the Earth: Salinity in California's Central Valley', 'Water on the Edge', 'Shaping of the West: 100 Years of Reclamation', and related video clips, sold to educators, libraries, and the general public.
Quantifiable outcome
- Tours explore water resources serving 35% of California's water supply (Sacramento River system) and 1,450-mile Colorado River lifeline to 40 million people
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Water Education Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Water Education Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Water Education Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- UC Davis Robert M. Hagan Endowed ChaircoreCo-organized the 3rd International Conference 'Toward Sustainable Groundwater in Agriculture: Linking Science & Policy' with UC Davis. The conference brought together scientists, policymakers, agricultural and environmental interest group representatives, government officials and consultants.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Water Education Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Geographic Society: Large nonprofit that produces authoritative environmental, ocean, and water content alongside educator resources. Overlap with Water Education Foundation's publication and educator audiences, but at much broader scale and different geographic focus.
- Environmental Defense Fund: Large national environmental nonprofit with significant California and Western water policy work, including drought, Delta restoration, and agricultural water use. Far larger scale and advocacy orientation, but overlapping audience of policymakers and professionals.
Direct peers
- US Water Alliance: National nonprofit advancing sustainable and integrated water management through convenings, reports, and policy education. Comparable educational nonprofit model and stakeholder convening role, though its scope is national rather than California/West-anchored.
- Project WET Foundation: International nonprofit that originated the Water Education Today (Project WET) curriculum delivered by the Water Education Foundation through workshops in California. Tightly connected as the licensor of the Foundation's flagship K-12 program; comparable mission in water education.
- Circle of Blue: Independent journalism organization reporting on the global water crisis with a focus on the Western U.S. Comparable media/news aggregation role (Aquafornia is a near-direct counterpart to Circle of Blue's daily coverage), but operates without a parallel tour or K-12 program.
- Water Research Foundation: Subscription-based research nonprofit producing authoritative reports on water utility topics such as water reuse, treatment, and climate adaptation. Comparable nonprofit-funded, education/research role serving water professionals, though more technical and less Western-region specific.
- Pacific Institute: Oakland-based nonprofit research and policy organization focused on water sustainability, climate, and ecosystems in the Western U.S. Closely comparable mission, regional focus, and neutral convener positioning, though it leans more toward research publishing than tours and educator programs.
- River Network: National nonprofit supporting river and watershed protection through education, capacity building, and convening of water professionals. Strong overlap on nonprofit water education and audience of practitioners and advocates.
Others
- Heinz Awards / The Heinz Endowments (water programming): Major U.S. environmental and water philanthropy funder including support for Western water initiatives. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant and a likely funder/peer in water-education funding conversations, though not a direct operational competitor.
Emerging players
- The Groundwater Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to groundwater education, with programs for educators and community leaders. More narrowly focused than the Water Education Foundation but directly comparable in the environmental education and convening model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Water Education Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceWater Education Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Water Education Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Water Education Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Water Education Foundation 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 Water Education Foundation
What does Water Education Foundation do?
Water Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces and sells educational publications, maps, and digital content on California and Western U.S. water issues, and delivers paid Water Tours, Project WET educator workshops, the Water Leaders cohort program, and the annual Water Summit. Its offerings include the Layperson's Guide series, Aquapedia online encyclopedia, Western Water magazine, Aquafornia news aggregation, and GIS-based regional water maps sold through its online store and at events.
Is Water Education Foundation a public or private company?
Water Education Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Water Education Foundation founded?
Water Education Foundation was founded in 1977. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Water Education Foundation based?
Water Education Foundation is headquartered in Sacramento, United States, in the North America region.
How does Water Education Foundation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership and Donations are the primary driver. The others are publication and Map Sales, event and Tour Fees, project WET Workshops and grants and Sponsorships.
Who are Water Education Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Geographic Society and Environmental Defense Fund. Direct peers are US Water Alliance, Project WET Foundation, Circle of Blue, Water Research Foundation, Pacific Institute and River Network. Heinz Awards / The Heinz Endowments (water programming) is listed as an others. The Groundwater Foundation is listed as an emerging player.
Does Water Education Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Water Education Foundation.
What industry is Water Education Foundation in?
Water Education Foundation's product category is Water Resources Education and Policy Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAH, Environmental Education & Outreach, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAK, Water Resources & Watershed Protection. Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.