Waves for Water

The mission is simple: get clean water to every person who needs it.

Access to clean water improves personal and civic well-being, increases overall health, reduces poverty and increases opportunities for education and employment, contributing to the overall advancement of individuals and their communities. We work on the front lines to provide access to clean water through the distribution of portable water filters, the digging and renovating of wells, and the construction of rainwater harvesting and storing systems in places where groundwater is not accessible.

Founded by Jon Rose in 2009 as a way for travelers do what they love and help along the way, Waves For Water launched with a program called Clean Water Couriers -- a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) distribution network of travelers who carry water filters with them in their luggage, eliminating the distribution challenges faced by philanthropic aid programs. Since then, the Waves For Water programing has touched over 7 million people in more than 27 countries, including Sierra Leone, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Haiti, Brazil, Liberia, Mexico, India, and Colombia. The organization was also the first non-profit to team up with a U.S. Military battalion, in an active war zone, to help people in need along the Kunar River in Afghanistan.

In addition to our primary focus around clean water, we coordinate and execute natural disaster relief efforts around the world. Over the past four years, we’ve responded to almost every major global disaster, earthquake or tsunami: in Nepal, Bosnia, Philippines, Indonesia, Haiti, Japan, and Chile; in Pakistan, India and Mexico; and on the east coast of the United States with a comprehensive initiative in response to “Superstorm-Sandy."

Do What You Love and Help Along the Way

Waves For Water’s philosophy is rooted in “doing what you love and helping along the way.” It’s about following your heart and plugging purpose into your passion. We encourage people to look at aid-work or humanitarianism as a lifestyle, rather than a component of doing good and giving back. It’s a paradigm shift in the way we currently think: you do what you love - sail, surf, bike, hike, etc.... and then plug in a purpose along the way. Not only does it create a very vital existence, it enhances everything you do.

“Guerilla Humanitarianism”

Guerrilla Humanitarianism is about taking a no - nonsense, stripped down approach to determining the essentials needed to complete a task: you take matters into your own hands, bringing a solution directly to a problem, under the radar and around the red tape. Encouraged by the proven efficiency of this model, Waves For Water is focused on effecting a global change, one that addresses the challenges faced by philanthropic initiatives in a more decentralized way.

Help the Helpers

Based on our experience of developing and empowering local networks, Waves For Water partners with organizations, corporations, and/or individuals to implement our programs through those who choose to use their skills to step up and take on leadership roles in their respective communities. This process enables us to truly connect with people, establish a sense of trust and rapport, and provide a high level of individual attention and personal care to all of our projects. It’s our belief that collectively we have the ability to stand as one.

Board Members:
Jon Rose
Zeb Stewart
Patricia Arquette
Jordan Tappis
Carey Kolaja