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American Water Charitable Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.2M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.0M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,214,522 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 6 weeks (application deadline to decision)
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $25,000 (typical individual awards)
  • Geographic Focus: 14 U.S. states and military installations (service territory-specific)

Contact Details

Website: amwater.com/awcfgrants

Application Portal: Benevity Grants system (accessed via website)

Location: Camden, NJ

Service Territory: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and 18 military installations

Overview

The American Water Charitable Foundation was established in 2010 as an independent 501(c)(3) private foundation supported by American Water shareholders. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested over $20 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support communities served by American Water, which provides water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people. In 2023 alone, the Foundation provided $3,214,522 in grants to 228 organizations. The Foundation operates under the mission of "Keep Communities Flowing" and focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. In 2024, the Foundation donated over $5 million total to support and strengthen communities nationwide, including grants, matching gifts, and disaster relief.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Water and Environment Grant Program: $10,000 - $25,000 (typical range)

  • Supports projects promoting clean water, conservation, environmental education, climate variability, and water-based recreation
  • Application period: February 3 - March 7 annually
  • Decisions announced: Mid-April
  • Online application via Benevity Grants system
  • In 2025, awarded over $1.5 million to 79 organizations across 12 states

Workforce Readiness and STEM Education Grant Program: $15,000 - $30,000 (typical range)

  • Invitation-only program
  • Supports high-quality training, skills development, and STEM-focused education programs
  • In 2025, awarded more than $750,000 to 32 organizations

State Strategic Impact Grants: $10,000 - $25,000 (typical range)

  • Invitation-only program where American Water leadership identifies applicants
  • Supports high-impact projects throughout American Water's national footprint
  • Does not accept unsolicited applications

One Water Street Grant Program: $10,000 average

  • Camden, NJ-specific initiative
  • In 2025, awarded $200,000 to 20 organizations serving Camden

Hydration Station Grant Program

  • New Jersey-specific program
  • Funds installation of water bottle refill stations in public spaces
  • Aims to reduce single-use plastic waste and build trust in tap water

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds projects across three pillars:

Water:

  • Clean water access and quality
  • Water conservation initiatives
  • Water-based recreation projects
  • Environmental education related to water
  • Climate variability and adaptation
  • Watershed protection and restoration
  • Water quality monitoring programs

People:

  • Workforce readiness and training programs
  • STEM education initiatives
  • Youth development programs
  • Career pathway exploration for students
  • Educational access and equity

Communities:

  • Community development projects
  • Environmental justice initiatives
  • Public space improvements
  • Programs serving underserved populations
  • Community engagement and education

What They Don't Fund

  • United Way chapters (already benefit from American Water's workplace giving campaigns)
  • Water For People (already receives support through workplace giving)
  • Religious organizations requiring religious instruction as part of general education (ineligible for matching gifts)
  • Individual applicants (grants only to organizations)
  • Organizations outside American Water service territories
  • Typically, organizations receive only one grant per calendar year

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Foundation's Board of Trustees is composed of American Water officers and subsidiary leaders:

  • David Bowler - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
  • Stephen Curtis - Senior Vice President and Chief Operational Excellence Officer
  • Lori Sutton - Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Maureen Duffy - Executive Vice President, Communications & External Affairs
  • Justin Ladner - President, Pennsylvania American Water
  • Mark McDonough - President, New Jersey American Water

Foundation Officers

  • President: Carrie Williams, Manager, Corporate and Foundation Relations
  • Treasurer: Ann Weaver, Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis
  • Assistant Treasurer: Jack Quinn, Senior Manager, Investor Relations
  • Secretary and Legal Advisor: Justin Ettelson, Director, SEC and Corporate Counsel

Additional Governance

The Board reviews Foundation programs, guidelines, and fund distribution. An Employee Grant Review Committee assists with application evaluation alongside Foundation staff. The Foundation operates with an Investment Committee to oversee assets.

Leadership Perspective:

Carrie Williams, President, has emphasized the Foundation's commitment to community impact: "The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to support organizations that are making an impact in communities... Through our grants, we aim to strengthen programs that provide essential resources and services where they are needed most." She also noted, "Our charitable focus to Keep Communities Flowing empowers our employees to get involved and our communities to learn how every drop counts."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Water and Environment Grant Program (only publicly accessible program):

  • Applications accepted annually: February 3 - March 7
  • Online submissions only through Benevity Grants system at amwater.com/awcfgrants
  • Paper applications not accepted
  • Grant decisions announced: Mid-April (approximately 6 weeks from deadline)
  • Projects must be completed within 12 months of grant award

Workforce Readiness and STEM Education Grants:

  • Invitation-only program
  • American Water leadership identifies and invites applicants
  • Does not accept unsolicited applications

State Strategic Impact Grants:

  • Invitation-only program
  • Foundation provides invitations and application links to selected organizations
  • Does not accept solicitations

Decision Timeline

  • Application period: February 3 - March 7 (Water and Environment grants)
  • Review period: March - April
  • Decision notification: Mid-April (approximately 6 weeks from deadline)
  • Review process: Applications reviewed by Foundation staff and/or employee grant review committee, with recommendations made to Board of Trustees
  • Final approval: Board of Trustees has final discretion on all grants

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rates or application-to-award ratios. However, available data suggests:

  • In 2025, 79 organizations received Water and Environment grants
  • In 2024, 59 organizations received Water and Environment grants (from a $1 million pool)
  • In 2023, 228 total awards were made across all programs
  • Applications evaluated on competitive basis
  • Foundation emphasizes funding programs with "strong impact and measurable outcomes"

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publicly specify a reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. However:

  • Organizations typically receive only one grant per calendar year
  • Annual grant cycles suggest unsuccessful applicants can reapply in subsequent years
  • No documented waiting periods or restrictions mentioned

Application Success Factors

Based on Foundation guidance and recent funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

Strong Impact and Measurable Outcomes: The Foundation explicitly evaluates applications on a competitive basis to fund "programs with strong impact and measurable outcomes." Successful applicants include specific metrics and concrete ways to measure success. For example, Clean Ocean Action's funded project specified "analytical costs to increase upstream monitoring and launch nutrient assessments" with clear deliverables.

Alignment with Service Territory: All funded organizations either operate within or directly benefit American Water service territories. Applications must clearly demonstrate how the project serves communities where American Water provides services. Geographic alignment is non-negotiable.

12-Month Project Timeline: Projects must be completed within 12 months of grant award. Successful applications present realistic timelines with specific milestones and deliverables that can be achieved within this constraint.

Budget Justification: The Foundation notes that "the amount should be based on your budget" and warns that requesting amounts that are not feasible may eliminate projects from consideration. Successful applications provide detailed, justified budgets aligned with project scope.

Focus on Three Pillars: Projects that clearly align with Water, People, or Communities pillars receive priority. Recent funded projects demonstrate this alignment:

  • Water pillar: Great Swamp Watershed Association's water quality monitoring expansion to lower Passaic River
  • People pillar: Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber's career pathway program providing students with workforce development tools
  • Communities pillar: Center for Aquatic Sciences' CAUSE program empowering teens through science education and summer camps

Community Engagement: Funded projects demonstrate meaningful community involvement. The Shirley Heinze Land Trust project improved walkability, safety, and created gathering spaces with community engagement programming at the Ivanhoe South Nature Preserve.

Equity and Access: Projects promoting equitable access receive strong consideration. North Branch Land Trust's funded project explicitly focused on "equitable access to land and water resources" and good stewardship practices.

Innovation and Sustainability: The Hydration Station Grant Program demonstrates the Foundation's interest in innovative approaches that create lasting change, such as reducing single-use plastic waste while building trust in tap water infrastructure.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic eligibility is absolute - Organizations must operate within or directly benefit American Water's 14-state service territory. Verify service area coverage before applying.

  • Water and Environment grants are the only publicly accessible program - Other programs are invitation-only. Focus efforts on the February 3 - March 7 application window for open competition grants.

  • Demonstrate measurable outcomes with specific metrics - The Foundation explicitly prioritizes "strong impact and measurable outcomes." Vague goals will not compete successfully.

  • Typical grant awards range $10,000 - $25,000 - Budget requests should fall within this range and be fully justified with detailed line items that match project scope.

  • One grant per organization per year is standard - Plan strategically about which program and timing will maximize impact for your organization.

  • Projects must be completed within 12 months - Propose realistic timelines with clear milestones. Multi-year projects are not funded through these programs.

  • Align explicitly with Water, People, or Communities pillars - Successful applications clearly articulate how their project advances at least one of these three focus areas, preferably with language that mirrors the Foundation's terminology.

References

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