About
Wine To Water (WTW) is a clean water nonprofit born in the High Country of North Carolina and headquartered in Boone. Its mission is supporting life and dignity for all through the power of clean water. Since 2004 the organization has partnered with communities around the world to create sustainable water solutions, working in places others have deemed unreachable.
Mission
Wine To Water is committed to supporting life and dignity for all through the power of clean water. The organization emphasizes that its solutions are as diverse as the places it serves, because every community faces different challenges.
What they do
- Water access and filtration — including ceramic filters and membrane filters that bring clean water to families.
- WASH education — sanitation and hygiene education alongside water access.
- Disaster response — delivering clean water and supplies when crisis strikes, such as its Nepal disaster response efforts.
- Regional programs — long-term work in Nepal (remote mountain villages), Tanzania (sustainable rural water solutions), the Dominican Republic (long-term solutions with island partners), the Amazon (protecting water access in the rainforest), and North Carolina (supporting local communities and training global teams), plus a Water4Schools program empowering students through clean water and education.
- Volunteer engagement — filter build events, volunteer opportunities, and a monthly giving community called The Tap.
History
Founder Doc Hendley, a bartender, started Wine To Water in 2004 after learning about the scale of the global dirty water crisis, holding his first fundraising event within weeks; six months later he was living in Darfur, Sudan, bringing water solutions to communities. He was named a CNN Hero in 2009 and continues to lead the organization as CEO.
Scale and impact
Figures published on Wine To Water's website:
- 2.5 million+ lives changed through clean water access in critical zones and remote regions.
- 60+ countries served.
- 2,200+ communities now accessing clean water.
- 185,000+ filters distributed, bringing clean water to families.
Financials
According to IRS Form 990 data for the fiscal year ending June 2024 (via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer), Wine To Water reported total revenue of 6,953,259 dollars, total expenses of 5,894,555 dollars, and net assets of 5,346,033 dollars. Contributions accounted for about 51 percent of revenue and program services about 43 percent. The IRS has recognized the organization as tax-exempt since March 2008.
Governance
Wine To Water is led by founder and CEO Doc Hendley, with Chief Operating Officer Dan Enarson and country directors in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Nepal, South Africa, and Tanzania. Its board includes executives from Ecolab, Voya, Montesquieu Winery, and other organizations.