Drop in the Bucket
Drop in the Bucket is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that drills deep borehole wells fitted with India Mk II hand pumps and delivers sanitation, girls' education scholarships, and Village Savings and Loan Associations to rural schools and communities in Uganda and South Sudan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Drop in the Bucket does
Drop in the Bucket is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 by Stacey Travis, a Los Angeles-based TV producer, and headquartered in Los Angeles with field offices in Kampala, Uganda and Nimule, South Sudan. The organization drills deep borehole wells fitted with India Mk II hand pumps, reinforced concrete aprons, and stainless steel riser pipes in rural East African communities, and complements well construction with sanitation facilities (latrines and hygiene education), Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) for community savings and well maintenance funding, and Water User Committee training for local operation and repair. Since founding, the organization has completed 700+ water and sanitation projects across Uganda and South Sudan, including 35+ wells in 2024 alone.
The nonprofit extends its programmatic scope in South Sudan into education, operating a girls' secondary school scholarship program serving 500+ adolescent students, the Safe Spaces after-school program reaching 1,500+ primary students, and the DROP Dorm boarding facility in Nimule. Beneficiary case studies cited include Covenant Nursery and Primary School (500+ students gaining water access), Bukwaya Health Center II (shift from rainwater rationing to reliable maternal care water), and St. Vicent Buliganwa Primary School, which reportedly grew from 12 to 381 students after receiving clean water infrastructure. Field operations are executed directly by in-country teams working with local schools, communities, and health centers.
The revenue model is donation-based: the organization is a registered 501(c)(3) (EIN 20-5560045) and does not sell products or services. Income streams include individual donations (one-time and recurring via "Sponsor a Well"), corporate partnerships and sponsorships, peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns (birthdays, walks for water), and a small online shop. Pre-set donation tiers are $25, $50, $100, $200, and custom amounts on a monthly billing cadence. Donor acquisition is driven by content marketing via the organization website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and email newsletters, with fundraising events organized in support communities. The organization received the 2024 GreatNonprofits Top Rated Non-Profit badge.
Drop in the Bucket firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Drop in the Bucket
- Legal name
- Drop in the Bucket
- Website
- https://dropinthebucket.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Drop in the Bucket is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that drills deep borehole wells fitted with India Mk II hand pumps and delivers sanitation, girls' education scholarships, and Village Savings and Loan Associations to rural schools and communities in Uganda and South Sudan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Drop in the Bucket industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Charity Non-Profit Services
- NAICS
- Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Solutions (BPAGALAI)
Keywords
Where Drop in the Bucket is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Drop in the Bucket business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donors make one-time or monthly donations through the organization's website. Options include 'Sponsor a Well' for recurring monthly contributions and full well sponsorships with engraved tiles and GPS coordinates.
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate donations and sponsorship programs for businesses looking to support clean water initiatives. Includes options for donating in someone's name with greeting cards.
- Fundraising Campaigns: Online fundraising campaigns and peer-to-peer fundraising tools allow supporters to create personal fundraising pages for birthdays, walks for water, and other events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Pre-set donation amounts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Drop in the Bucket product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Drop in the Bucket is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that drills deep borehole water wells fitted with India Mk II hand pumps, constructs sanitation facilities, and delivers community development programs in rural Uganda and South Sudan. Beyond water infrastructure, the organization runs Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), scholarships for adolescent girls, Safe Spaces after-school programs, and a boarding dormitory to support education outcomes.
Product overview
Drop in the Bucket is a non-profit organization providing clean water and education to communities in East Africa. The organization operates as a unified programmatic approach combining water well drilling services with education initiatives. The core water program includes deep borehole well drilling with India Mk II hand pumps, sanitation systems, and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) for sustainability. Education programs include girls' scholarship programs, Safe Spaces after-school programs, and DROP dorm boarding facilities in South Sudan. All programs work together to keep children in school, particularly girls at risk of dropping out due to water collection duties or early marriage.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Water Well Drilling Drilling of deep borehole wells with India Mk II hand pumps, reinforced concrete aprons, and stainless steel riser pipes in rural communities across Uganda and South Sudan, providing access to clean and safe drinking water for schools, health centers, and villages.
- Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) Community-run savings groups that teach members how to save, lend, and borrow using a structured system, enabling members to take loans for small businesses and household needs while also funding well maintenance and repairs.
- Girls' Education Scholarship Program Secondary school scholarship program for girls in South Sudan providing tuition, scholastic materials, personal items, academic coaching, food, accommodations, support structure, security, and medical treatment to keep girls in school and delay marriage. The program supports 500+ adolescent girls.
- Safe Spaces After-School Program After-school program for primary-level girls in South Sudan at nine schools (expanded in 2024) where they learn, grow, and receive mentorship in a safe environment, currently serving over 1,500 primary students.
- DROP Dorm Boarding facility in Nimule, South Sudan providing accommodation for girls enrolled in day school who do not score high enough for Uganda schools, offering a structured environment with supervision and support.
- Sanitation Systems Construction of latrines and sanitation facilities at schools combined with hygiene education covering handwashing, safe water storage, and latrine use.
Quantifiable outcome
- 700+ water and sanitation projects completed since 2006
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Drop in the Bucket
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Drop in the Bucket technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Drop in the Bucket partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Unnamed NGO Partner (Piped Water Project)minorPartnership with another NGO to bring a major piped water project with 36 water taps to two underserved communities, transforming clean water access for thousands.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Drop in the Bucket competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- WaterAid: Broader incumbent — established international NGO focused on WASH across multiple continents with institutional donor funding; comparable programmatic mix (water, sanitation, hygiene education) and East African footprint.
Direct peers
- charity: water: Direct peer — a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit funding clean water wells and sanitation in developing countries, with a donor-driven GTM and recurring 'Sponsor a Well' programs targeting the same individual donor base as Drop in the Bucket.
- The Water Project: Direct peer — nonprofit that drills borehole wells and implements WASH programs across sub-Saharan Africa with individual donor sponsorship programs; highly comparable operating model and target beneficiaries.
- DigDeep: Direct peer — US-based nonprofit focused on clean water access and sanitation, combining infrastructure with community programs; similar donor-driven funding and integrated WASH-plus approach.
- Water.org: Direct peer — international WASH nonprofit founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, focused on access to safe water and sanitation through financing solutions; comparable mission, beneficiary geographies (Africa), and donor-driven funding model.
- blood:water: Direct peer — nonprofit partnering with African organizations on WASH and HIV/AIDS programming; comparable integrated community-development approach and East African field operations.
- Lifewater International: Direct peer — faith-inspired nonprofit drilling wells and building sanitation in rural Africa, with a community-ownership and training component; comparable methodology and East African field presence.
- Water Wells for Africa: Direct peer — smaller nonprofit drilling borehole wells in sub-Saharan Africa, focused on rural community access; comparable scale, technology choices, and donor-driven GTM.
- Wells Bring Hope: Direct peer — small US-based nonprofit drilling wells in West Africa (Niger), with individual donor and corporate partnership revenue; comparable size and direct-implementation WASH model.
Regional players
- Pump Aid: Regional peer — UK-headquartered nonprofit focused on sustainable water access and sanitation primarily in sub-Saharan Africa; comparable methodology and rural community focus but distinct geographic and donor base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Drop in the Bucket social profiles
Digital presenceDrop in the Bucket compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Drop in the Bucket financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Drop in the Bucket leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Drop in the Bucket funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Drop in the Bucket 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 Drop in the Bucket
What does Drop in the Bucket do?
Drop in the Bucket is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that drills deep borehole water wells fitted with India Mk II hand pumps, constructs sanitation facilities, and delivers community development programs in rural Uganda and South Sudan. Beyond water infrastructure, the organization runs Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), scholarships for adolescent girls, Safe Spaces after-school programs, and a boarding dormitory to support education outcomes.
Is Drop in the Bucket a public or private company?
Drop in the Bucket is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Drop in the Bucket founded?
Drop in the Bucket was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Drop in the Bucket based?
Drop in the Bucket is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Drop in the Bucket make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships and fundraising Campaigns.
Who are Drop in the Bucket's main competitors?
WaterAid is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are charity: water, The Water Project, DigDeep, Water.org, blood:water, Lifewater International, Water Wells for Africa and Wells Bring Hope. Pump Aid is listed as a regional player.
Does Drop in the Bucket have an API?
No public API is recorded for Drop in the Bucket.
What industry is Drop in the Bucket in?
Drop in the Bucket's product category is Water Charity Non-Profit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAC, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), with a secondary code of BPAGALAI, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Solutions. Its NAICS code is 813212 and its SIC code is 4941.