How to Choose a Water Charity (and why Drop in the Bucket stands out)
Donating to a clean water charity is one of the most direct ways to help save lives. Safe water protects health, returns hours to the day, and keeps children—especially girls—in school. But with so many options, how do you decide where your gift will have the biggest impact? Here’s a simple, positive framework—followed by how Drop in the Bucket meets each point.
1) Look for organizations that are on the ground
Impact improves when the team is present before, during, and after construction. Being on the ground means joining site selection—because knowing where to drill is the most important factor in a well’s long-term sustainability. It means meeting the community, building a strong water committee that understands its role, and working with local leaders to select appropriate locations. It also means understanding terrain, culture, and existing water points (nearby wells can affect sustainability), and maintaining skilled staff who can adapt as conditions change.
How DROP does it: We operate directly in East Africa with staff and offices in the regions where we work. We don’t send checks and wait for photos; we’re involved in every step—from siting and drilling to handover and follow-up. Sustainability is central to our work. Explore recent projects on our Interventions page and community impact in Stories.
2) Ask who actually drills the wells
Execution matters. Quality comes from precise siting, accurate surveys, experienced drillers, and durable parts.
How DROP does it: We prefer to be hands-on. We own and operate our drilling rigs and employ our crews, so we control standards from the first survey to the final pump test. That means consistent quality, faster decisions, and better use of donor dollars. We standardize on durable materials—like stainless-steel riser pipes—for reliable water and sanitation projects. See examples across Uganda and South Sudan in our Interventions.
3) Prioritize lifecycle care, not one-day photos
The goal isn’t a ribbon-cutting—it’s a water point that works year after year, providing a steady source of safe, clean water.
How DROP does it: We manage the full lifecycle—site selection, surveys, drilling, and follow-up. We build with concrete aprons and upgraded stainless-steel riser pipes, and we train and empower water user committees. We also train local hand-pump mechanics so repairs happen quickly and efficiently. For why reliability matters, see Water Facts.
4) Water, gender equality, sanitation, and education are connected
Clean water isn’t a single-issue fix—it unlocks a chain of benefits. Nearby water reduces the burden on girls who fetch water, which helps keep them in school. Schools and clinics need reliable water for learning, hygiene, and safe births. Sanitation and hygiene protect the water point and the people using it. When these pieces move together, communities advance.
How DROP does it: Alongside wells, we promote handwashing and safe storage, help schools keep kitchens and latrines functional, and place wells where they protect learning time—especially for girls in upper primary and beyond. Read real examples in our Stories.
5) Sustainability isn’t a buzzword—it’s a cornerstone of our work
Sustainability means the well you fund is still working years from now. It’s about appropriate technology, available spare parts, clear local roles, and practical follow-up.
How DROP does it: We choose designs communities can maintain, use pumps with parts sourced locally, and train water committees and hand-pump mechanics. Our on-the-ground offices make follow-up realistic, not theoretical. Learn how we select sites and design for longevity on our Interventions pages.
6) Seek transparent, verifiable reporting
Good reporting is practical and clear: where the project is, what was built, and who benefits.
How DROP does it: Each completed well includes location details, key specs, and photos. Our Interventions and Stories show what was built and how it’s used. You see where your gift went—and what changed.
7) Consider whether your gift can be personally connected
For many donors, a direct connection matters. It turns generosity into a lasting relationship with a place and a community.
How DROP does it: naming rights on wells
Because we’re on site for every build, donors can add an inscription tile on the well—honoring a loved one, a company team, or a special occasion. Few water charities can offer this consistently because they’re not physically present during construction. The tile is more than a plaque; it’s tangible proof that your gift became clean water and a clear reminder to the community of who to contact if there’s a problem.
Why Drop in the Bucket is a strong place to give
On-the-ground implementation: Staff and offices in Africa; we plan, drill, and follow up ourselves.
Owned rigs and crews: Full control of quality and cost from survey to pump test.
Lifecycle stewardship: Training, spare-parts pathways, and documented follow-up keep wells working.
A systems approach: Water + sanitation + education + gender equality, advanced together.
Donor connection: Naming rights with inscription tiles at the well.
Transparent reporting: Clear documentation you can share with colleagues, family, or your community group.
Some questions you can ask water charities
Are they on the ground with staff and offices in the areas they serve? Who owns or supervises drilling and quality control? What’s the plan for maintenance, spare parts, and local training? Do they show where and what they built—and who benefits? Can your gift be personally connected (for example, naming rights) if you want it to be? For country context, see our glossary page on Which countries have the greatest need?
The bottom line
Choose a water charity that is present at the work site, responsible for the drilling, invested in long-term stewardship, and transparent in reporting—while advancing gender equality, sanitation, and education together. Drop in the Bucket is built around those principles. If you want your gift to fund water for Africa that is reliable, well-documented, and locally maintained—and if you’d like the option to name a well—we’d be honored to partner with you.
Explore recent projects in Interventions and impact stories in Stories. For quick facts, visit Water Facts.