Living Water International 
The information on this page was last updated 2/16/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
We mobilize churches and communities to cultivate sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene programs, and an ongoing witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Time and time again we have seen these lasting benefits pave the way for people to flourish-through good health, improved education, stable livelihoods, and thriving relationships.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Living Water International
4001 Greenbriar Drive
Stafford, TX 77477
Website: www.water.cc
Phone: (877) 594-4426
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 760324875
CEO/President: Michael J Mantel, Ph.D.
Chairman: Rick Allen
Board size: 12
Founder: Group of Houston Businessmen
Ruling year: 1991
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1998
Purpose
We build thriving communities by linking arms with individuals, church congregations, and communities to end the global water crisis by cultivating sustainable water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs. As followers of Jesus, our concern is for the whole person-physical and spiritual. Through ongoing Christian witness, we know that only Jesus can truly transform people, restore relationships, and heal factors that lead to poverty, hunger, and thirst in our world.
Mission statement
LWI exists to demonstrate the love of God by providing desperately needed clean water and medical attention, along with the "living water" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfies the deepest thirst.
Statement of faith
For our staff in the United States, Christian faith is a prerequisite for employment, based upon United States federal guidelines provided in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Living Water International Statement of Faith
I believe there is one God who eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Ephesians 4:4-6)
I believe that Jesus Christ, though fully God, came to earth as a man. Through his sinless life, his atoning death, and his bodily resurrection, he offers us salvation, new life, and a place in the family of God (John 1:1-4, John 1:12; Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
I believe that salvation is a free gift of grace, received through faith in Christ and expressed through good works performed in his name. (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-6).
I believe the Holy Spirit is present and active in the world today, empowering those who follow Christ to live and love well (Galatians 5:16-18; Romans 8:9).
I believe the Bible is inspired by God and is authoritative in the life of every follower of Christ (2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 17:17).
I believe the Church is made up of all people who follow Christ; across creed, gender, race and social class (Matthew 22:36-40; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 4:1-6).
I believe that all followers of Christ have the responsibility and privilege to proclaim the gospel by actively sharing their faith in Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8) and demonstrate the gospel by compassionately caring for the "least of these" (Matthew 25:40).
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Relief and Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 656 of 1118 | 56 of 100 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 928 of 1119 | 81 of 100 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 785 of 1119 | 66 of 100 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 111 of 1118 | 16 of 100 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $214,916 in government grants in 2023.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 12% | 9% | 9% | 10% | 13% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 12% | 9% | 9% | 10% | 13% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 99% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 11% | 8% | 10% | 11% | 12% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 82% | 86% | 84% | 83% | 82% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 100% | 104% | 111% | 99% | 91% | 106% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 87% | 86% | 96% | 83% | 75% | 87% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 0% | -4% | -11% | 1% | 9% | -6% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | -17% | -34% | 1% | 22% | -18% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 6% | 6% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.53 | 3.56 | 2.99 | 1.74 | 1.92 | 2.83 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.26 | 1.50 | 1.45 | 1.33 | 1.39 | 1.59 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.17 | 5.35 | 4.34 | 2.31 | 2.67 | 4.49 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 13.11 | 5.87 | 5.41 | 8.43 | 10.81 | 5.20 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.17 | 0.18 | 0.12 | 0.09 | 0.19 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.68 | 1.86 | 2.25 | 4.58 | 4.08 | 2.16 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 11% | 13% | 17% | 15% | 12% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 53% | 25% | 29% | 48% | 44% | 31% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Cash | $3,695,826 | $5,007,668 | $6,447,268 | $3,987,279 | $907,694 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $994,874 | $745,800 | $388,480 | $4,181,365 | $4,420,647 |
| Short-term investments | $34,179 | $30,925 | $2,081,070 | $28,293 | $56,868 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $4,724,879 | $5,784,393 | $8,916,818 | $8,196,937 | $5,385,209 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $2,362,039 | $2,609,137 | $2,906,175 | $3,192,188 | $3,165,233 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $2,362,039 | $2,609,137 | $2,906,175 | $3,192,188 | $3,165,233 |
| Total assets | $7,086,918 | $8,393,530 | $11,822,993 | $11,389,125 | $8,550,442 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $805,498 | $949,429 | $1,056,838 | $638,592 | $783,025 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $120,027 | $642 | $119,824 | $252,427 |
| Total current liabilities | $805,498 | $1,069,456 | $1,057,480 | $758,416 | $1,035,452 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $969,100 | $969,100 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $969,100 | $969,100 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $805,498 | $1,069,456 | $2,026,580 | $1,727,516 | $1,035,452 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Without donor restrictions | $5,160,537 | $6,180,431 | $8,164,217 | $6,039,440 | $2,900,842 |
| With donor restrictions | $1,120,883 | $1,143,643 | $1,632,196 | $3,622,169 | $4,614,148 |
| Net assets | $6,281,420 | $7,324,074 | $9,796,413 | $9,661,609 | $7,514,990 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Total contributions | $24,033,695 | $22,683,962 | $20,743,316 | $24,073,207 | $22,863,039 |
| Program service revenue | $3,814 | $26,778 | $7,258 | $19,788 | $13,658 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $28,374 | $2,353 | $25,386 | $1,281 | $2,996 |
| Other revenue | $147,671 | ($84,543) | ($49,187) | ($68,069) | ($48,161) |
| Total other revenue | $179,859 | ($55,412) | ($16,543) | ($47,000) | ($31,507) |
| Total revenue | $24,213,554 | $22,628,550 | $20,726,773 | $24,026,207 | $22,831,532 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Program services | $20,784,924 | $21,634,977 | $17,257,302 | $18,137,621 | $19,833,679 |
| Management and general | $1,634,853 | $1,426,895 | $1,387,784 | $1,239,363 | $1,408,014 |
| Fundraising | $2,835,160 | $2,036,762 | $1,962,961 | $2,498,174 | $2,940,490 |
| Total expenses | $25,254,937 | $25,098,634 | $20,608,047 | $21,875,158 | $24,182,183 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($1,041,383) | ($2,470,084) | $118,726 | $2,151,049 | ($1,350,651) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($1,041,383) | ($2,470,084) | $118,726 | $2,151,049 | ($1,350,651) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Michael Mantel | President & CEO | $369,227 |
| Jonathan Wiles | Chief Operating Officer | $208,525 |
| Shona Barnard | Chief Human Resources Officer | $198,175 |
| Wesley Charles | Reg. VP, Latin Am & Caribbean | $185,800 |
| Gary Evans | Regional VP, Asia | $183,774 |
| Jonathan Schinzler | Chief Financial Officer | $165,934 |
| Russell Debenport | Sr. Dir of Strategy & Innovation | $138,425 |
| Peggy Shriver | VP, Philanthropy Ops & Events | $134,636 |
| Camille Rodriquez | VP, Marketing & Communications | $133,715 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2023
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 2/16/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Around the world, communities are trapped in debilitating poverty because they constantly suffer from water-related diseases and parasites, and/or because they spend long stretches of their time carrying water over long distances.
In response to this need, we implement participatory, community-based water solutions in developing countries. Since we started, we've completed more than 18,000 water projects (and counting!).
It all began when a group from Houston, Texas traveled to Kenya and saw the desperate need for clean drinking water. They returned to Houston and founded a 501(c)3 non-profit. The fledgling organization equipped and trained a team of Kenyan drillers, and Living Water Kenya began operations the next year under the direction of a national board. That pattern continues today; we train, consult, and equip local people to implement solutions in their own communities in the countries where we work.
Remembering the life-changing nature of that first trip in 1990, we also lead hundreds of volunteers on mission trips each year, working with local communities, under the leadership of nationals, to implement water projects. It's hard to know which lives are changed more-those "serving" or those "being served." Our training programs in shallow well drilling, pump repair, and hygiene education have equipped thousands of volunteers and professionals in the basics of integrated water solutions since 1997.
Program accomplishments
Over 23,000 water projects completed
7 million people served in 17 countries