Jack Dorsey, Twitter and Square CEO, donated $4,720,000 to Water.org to change lives with safe water and sanitation as part of his #StartSmall initiative to fund COVID-19 relief. Support will make an impact today while building resiliency to future pandemics.
#StartSmall is Jack Dorsey’s philanthropic initiative to fund global COVID-19 relief, girls health and education, and efforts towards Universal Basic Income. Dorsey transferred $1 billion (28% of his wealth) to #StartSmall in 2020.
Water.org has positively transformed more than 33 million lives around the world with access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For 30 years, our work has given women hope, children health, and families a bright future.
Mr. Dorsey's donation will help people living in poverty in Africa get access to small, affordable loans for water and sanitation solutions in their homes. Globally, 87% of borrowers are women. Water.org and its partners have delivered $2.5 billion in these loans, greatly multiplying the philanthropy of donors.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to safe water at home directly helps families living in poverty to prepare and protect themselves, because they can wash their hands and don't have to leave their homes to collect water.
In addition to improving health, access to safe water and sanitation empowers women, increases family income, frees girls to spend time at school instead of collecting water and builds resilience to COVID-19 and other diseases.
