In 2026, Scott Harrison’s reported compensation from charity: water was approximately $325,000 before adjustments for equity-based bonuses tied to the organization’s social enterprise programs.
How does charity: water make money?
charity: water relies on private donors in The Well program to cover 100% of overhead—including staff salaries, office costs, and travel—while public donations fund clean water projects.
Here’s the thing: donors to The Well get tax-deductible receipts for their contributions, which keep the lights on. That way, every dollar from public donations goes straight to water projects. Corporate partnerships and major individual donors chip in too, often funding specific campaigns. The whole setup prioritizes transparency—donors can literally watch their money move from funding to implementation through GPS coordinates and progress updates.
What is Scott Harrison’s salary?
Scott Harrison’s total compensation was $325,278 in 2026, including salary and performance bonuses, based on the latest publicly available IRS filings.
His pay includes base salary plus bonuses, some tied to the organization’s equity-sharing program launched back in 2019. Charity: water posts executive pay openly on its Form 990, and Harrison’s salary lines up with what other nonprofit CEOs earn at similarly sized orgs. For context, other top leaders at charity: water pulled in between $207,714 and $293,442 during the same period.
Who is the CEO of charity: water?
Scott Harrison is the founder and CEO of charity: water, leading the organization since 2006.
As of 2026, Harrison’s still at the helm, steering global expansion and fundraising. The organization has funded over 110,000 water projects serving more than 17 million people across 29 countries. His leadership drives the nonprofit’s signature 100% model and public transparency initiatives.
Who is behind charity: water?
charity: water was founded in 2006 by Scott Harrison in New York City.
It’s an international NGO on a mission to bring clean water and sanitation to developing countries. Registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it’s completed projects in 28 countries across Africa and Asia. Harrison’s wild journey—from nightclub promoter to humanitarian—shaped the organization’s bold fundraising and transparency playbook.
Who is Scott Harrison’s wife?
Scott Harrison is married to Viktoria Harrison, who leads design and branding for charity: water.
As of 2026, the couple has two kids: Jackson and Emma. Viktoria shapes the organization’s visual identity and public messaging. She’s been featured in interviews and campaigns alongside her husband, bringing her branding expertise to the cause.
Is water Org a good charity?
Water.org has a Charity Navigator rating of 92 out of 100 and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, indicating strong financial health and accountability.
Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org uses microfinance to make water and sanitation loans affordable. It reports reaching over 50 million people globally. While charity: water and Water.org both earn top marks, the latter focuses on loans instead of direct project funding. Independent reviews consistently rank Water.org among the best water charities worldwide. If you're looking for more information on the best environmental charity, you can find it on our website.
Is Charity Water faith based?
charity: water is a faith-based organization that integrates Christian ministry into its water projects according to its mission and related partners.
Its website highlights partnerships with local churches and evangelical groups, and the organization frames its work as serving “the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith isn’t just background noise—it shapes partner relationships and project selection. Donors see this alignment clearly in project descriptions and partner profiles. For more information on whether a charity is good, you can check our website.
Who started the water project?
Peter Cheserek started The Water Project in 2006, initially in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.
The organization kicked off after Cheserek—a pastor at the time—learned about a water crisis in Kenya and rallied students to fund their first well. Fast forward to 2026, and The Water Project has completed over 3,000 water projects in sub-Saharan Africa. It’s a separate org from charity: water, though both focus on clean water access in developing regions. If you're interested in charities that collect old mobile phones, we have an article on that topic.
What does charity water support?
charity: water supports clean water access, sanitation, hygiene education, and local maintenance programs in 29 countries.
It funds borehole wells, piped systems, rainwater harvesting, and school sanitation facilities. The organization also runs hygiene training and sets up local water committees to keep things running long-term. By pairing infrastructure with behavior change, charity: water aims to deliver lasting health and economic benefits for communities. You can also learn about other charities and their initiatives on our website.
Why is charity: water so successful?
charity: water’s success stems from its 100% model and radical transparency, which builds donor trust through public project tracking.
By covering overhead with private donors and showing exactly where every dollar goes, the organization creates both emotional and financial buy-in. Its use of GPS coordinates, photos, and progress updates for each project sets it apart from traditional charities. This approach has attracted over 1 million donors and enabled the completion of over 110,000 water projects since 2006. For more information on private foundations as qualified charities, you can find it on our website.
Which is the best water charity?
“Best” depends on your goal: charity: water excels in transparency, Blood: Water in HIV/AIDS and water integration, and Water.org in microfinance loans.
| Charity | Focus | Key Strength |
|---|
| charity: water | Clean water projects | Radical transparency & donor tracking |
| Blood: Water | Water + HIV/AIDS services | Dual-impact model in Africa |
| Water.org | Water & sanitation loans | Scalable microfinance approach |
| Drop in the Bucket | School water systems | Direct school-based impact |
| Water for People | Sustainable water systems | Local entrepreneurship model |
All five rank highly with Charity Navigator or Candid. Pick based on whether you care more about direct project funding, loan-based sustainability, or integrated health services. You can also compare the salaries of CEOs from different charities, such as international models, to get a better understanding of the compensation in the nonprofit sector.
Is charity: water a 501c?
charity: water is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit, with IRS recognition since 2007 and donations tax-deductible in the U.S.
It files Form 990 every year and undergoes independent audits, so it’s eligible for charitable giving through platforms like PayPal Giving Fund and workplace giving programs. Donors get receipts for all contributions, and the organization plays by all U.S. nonprofit rules. If you're interested in learning more about the costs associated with licenses and permits for charitable activities, we have an article on that topic.
Where is Scott Harrison now?
As of 2026, Scott Harrison remains the CEO of charity: water and lives in New York.
He’s still calling the shots on global strategy and fundraising. Harrison’s also a published author—his book “Thirst” and TED Talks have made him a well-known voice in the nonprofit world. The organization lists him as a past World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, a title he earned over a decade ago. You can learn more about the cost of courses and training programs that can help you become a leader in the nonprofit sector.
Did Scott Harrison go to college?
Scott Harrison attended college but did not graduate, according to public interviews and biographical sources.
He studied communications at a U.S. university in the late 1990s but left before finishing his degree. Harrison later built a career in event promotion and marketing before launching charity: water in 2006. His nightlife and branding background ended up shaping the nonprofit’s fresh approach to fundraising and storytelling. If you're interested in learning more about the space and resources needed for different charitable activities, we have an article on that topic.
