On 12 February 2009, 202 cities around the world hosted "Twestivals" which brought together Twitter communities or "Twitterers" who raised over US$ 250,000 (€ 200,000) for water projects funded by the New York-based NGO charity: water. The aim had been to raise US$ 1 million (€ 780,000).

According to its web site, charity: water has raised over US$ 7 million (€ 5.5 million) and funded 1,247 water projects in two years. Most projects are in Africa (10 countries), but in 2008 charity: water added projects in India, Bangladesh, and Honduras.

Charity: water's partners include Water for People, Living Water International, Concern Worldwide, Gram Vikas and Action Against Hunger.
Charity: water says it gives 100% of donations to water projects, because private donors, foundations, and sponsors pay for all overhead costs.

Related news:

• School sanitation: ITT launches ITT Watermark, Source Weekly, 25 Sep 2008 ;
• Philanthropy: Google.org launches “Inform and Empower to Improve Public Services” initiative, Source Weekly, 18 Jul 2008

Web sites: Twestival ; charity: water ; WASH news Financing - fundraising

Contact: charity: water, USA, tel.: +1-646-6882323, info@charitywater.org

Tags: financing, water collection