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Lima NY | IRS ruling year: 2013 | EIN: 27-1481728
Organization Mission
The Ugandan Water Project exists to see Uganda liberated from the bondage of waterborne disease and poverty. We leverage the transformative power of clean water to e ... (More)
The Ugandan Water Project exists to see Uganda liberated from the bondage of waterborne disease and poverty. We leverage the transformative power of clean water to empower Ugandans using our synergistic, three-tiered approach:
Equipping communities with the safe water resources they need to thrive TODAY
Developing sustainable water enterprises that keep clean water flowing TOMORROW
Supporting the establishment of national systems that will ensure safe water flows FOREVER (Less)
Great
This charity's score is 99%, earning it a Four-Star rating.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
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Ugandan Water Project Inc. has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2021, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
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Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 7/7 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 7/7 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Has Audit/Review - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Has Audit/Review - 20/20 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 11.40% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 11.40% - 15/15 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 83.95% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 83.95% - 25/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
No Data Available
Revenue and expense data is not available for this organization. This data is only available if this charity has at least one year of electronically-filed Form 990 data filed within the last six years.
No Data Available
Key Persons data is currently unavailable for this organization. This data is only available if this charity has at least one year of electronically-filed Form 990 data filed within the last six years.
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Ugandan Water Project Inc.) or EIN (271481728) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Ugandan Water Project Inc. reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
Like many organizations, the Ugandan Water Project experienced a drop off in one-time donations and monthly giving commitments at the beginning of the pandemic as the fear of layoffs and economic downturn gripped many households. Thankfully, many of the financial losses that our organization experienced were recovered within prior to the end of 2020, so much so that it ended as our strongest financial year on record.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
In response to separate Covid-19 waves, Uganda's government implemented two robust, nationwide lockdowns in spring 2020 and summer 2021. While we were able to eventually obtain special permission to resume operations as an essential service following a temporary hiatus, transportation restrictions and social distancing requirements continued to pose challenges to the implementation of our water projects
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
Due to the national closure of schools in Uganda and the tremendous need for safe water access at under-resourced health facilities, UWP made it a priority to fund the installation of rainwater collection systems at health centers. Additional water filters and hand washing stands were donated to these facilities in order to support their abilities to provide safe and hygienic care for Covid-19 patients and others seeking care for a variety of illnesses.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
In addition to continuing our targeted initiative to equip health centers with on-site safe water access, UWP will also continue our new partnership with local government officials and institutions to promote improved hygiene and sanitation training within communities and with local health workers.
Not Currently Scored
Ugandan Water Project Inc. cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
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No 990 Program Data Found
Ugandan Water Project Inc. has earned a 86% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
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Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 ptsConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 pts
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Community meetings or town halls
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
Our staff, Our board, Our funders
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, It is hard to come up with good questions to ask people, It is difficult to get honest feedback from our clients
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
In designing our new borehole well maintenance service, UWP solicited the input of individual members of interested communities and government officials of the local Ugandan District. This feedback revealed that a pay-per-volume service, rather than the planned fixed rate payment method, would better meet the needs of communities and UWP adjusted the program plan accordingly.
Equity Practices - Data Available - 80/100 ptsEquity Practices - Data Available - 80/100 pts
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 80 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 3 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (1/7) | |
|---|---|
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Equity Policies and Procedures (2/7) | |
|---|---|
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Ugandan Water Project Inc. has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
The Ugandan Water Projects helps you end Uganda’s water crisis once and for all by building infrastructure that relieves immediate water insecurity today, developing business solutions that keep clean water flowing tomorrow, then advocating for national systems that ensure it stays that way forever.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
The Ugandan Water Project exists to see Uganda as a nation liberated from the bondage of water-borne disease and poverty as communities leverage the transformative power of clean water to empower all people to live the lives they were created for.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Build infrastructure that relieves immediate water insecurity.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Develop business solutions, including a subscription-based hand pump maintenance service, that increase sustainable access to clean water.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Three: Advocate for national systems, including cloud-based water point tracking and improved standards, that strengthen the Ugandan government's ability to provide and sustain clean water access.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
The Ugandan Water Project prioritizes investments in the professional development and leadership of our team. Within the past 12 to 18 months, this has included providing access to skills-based marketing and communication training through Business Made Simple for relevant staff members, providing leadership and financial training for Ugandan staff members, and providing the time and resources for key staff members to attend important industry conferences. Additionally, UWP has invested informally in the cultivation of staff talent and leadership by engaging in a summer 2021 staff book study and providing regular coaching opportunities for staff with the organization's CEO.
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
Among the Ugandan Water Project's core values is community and, as such, strategic partnerships are deeply engrained in our work. UWP has held a key presence at the Opportunity Collaborative's annual summit for more than 5 years, where a global network of leaders dedicated to building sustainable solutions to poverty and injustice convenes. From this, UWP has developed important partnerships with like-minded organizations such as Building Tomorrow and Wine to Water to equip communities and schools in Uganda with clean water access and provide community hygiene and sanitation training. Within Uganda, UWP has cultivated meaningful partnerships with organizations like Lifeline International and WHAVE in order to advocate for market-based solutions to the country's water crisis. UWP is also regularly attends government-run consortiums and meetings as part of our advocacy work. UWP also shares its knowledge with via conference presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
The Ugandan Water Project's CEO returned from Uganda in early March 2020 just as COVID-19 was beginning to surge near our home office in New York. Within 2 weeks, we had closed our offices and UWP’s Board of Directors were discussing worst-case scenarios for the organization. The storm of COVID-19 had arrived and no one knew how long it would last or how best to weather it. We prepared for hard times but resolved to continue to bring safe water to communities in East Africa as quickly as possible with whatever funding we had. Our staff leaned into the quarantine: We built relationships with Ugandan government officials who were stuck at home and finally ready to take our calls. We completely redesigned our website to improve communication, simplifying how the public can learn about our mission and join us in bringing safe water to Uganda. We found new supporters eager to help others in trying times. The resulting impact of 2020 was nothing short of confounding. Rather than struggling to survive, we celebrated growth like never before. We hired new staff, expanded our field operations, installed more water projects, built more partnerships, raised more funding, and saw more Ugandan men, women, and children have access to safe water than ever before.
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Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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