About Us
learn about Initiative: Eau
About Us
learn about Initiative: Eau
Our mission
To strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and public health capacity in developing areas and crisis zones for improved health outcomes.
OUR VISION
A world with universal access to safe water and adequate sanitation & hygiene.
OUR VALUES
transparency
in all aspects of our operation, especially with regard to our financial activities
ingenuity
in the design of our programs, always looking for opportunities for improvement
respect
of local ways of life while carrying-out activities to fulfill our mission
equitability
in how we work, providing aid regardless of age, sex, race, religion, and sexual orientation
Our Recognitions
Top-rated Charity
Award
Great Nonprofits
2019
Technology Innovation Award
ISNTD Water
2016
Water Innovation Award
Harvard ADC
2015
Our Story
how we transformed from a series of road races to an international organization
Our Story
how we transformed from a series of road races to an international organization
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10 April 2010
Call to action
Co-founders Christina Long and Donald Brooks learned of global water scarcity during a presentation at their high school in central Maine by the co-founders of the BARKA Foundation. The presentation discussed the reality that millions around the world live without access to clean water and basic sanitation. For both, it was a call to action.
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02 October 2011
The inaugural event
Our co-founders organized a five-kilometer roadrace in Bangor, Maine, U.S.A. to support water projects in Burkina Faso. Nearly 100 individuals braved the forecasted rainy weather to race for the cause. The event was held annually by a John Bapst Memorial High School student group until 2016.
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22 July 2013
Initiative: Eau Established
Christina and Donald signed Initiative: Eau into existence as they completed the organization's Articles of Incorporation. The organization's original mission was to provide sustainable support and education to regions experiencing lack of access to clean water and basic sanitation.
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03 June 2015
Programming Launch with WASHMobile
We began implementation of our first pilot program, WASHMobile, in the East region of Burkina Faso. WASHMobile was an integrated research and data-distribution program aimed at reducing water-borne disease and improving drinking water infrastructure in developing urban centers.
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27 April 2017
Granted Consultative status with the United Nations
We were granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Special Consultative Status is granted to select non-governmental organizations allowing them to access inter-governmental activities at the United Nations, enabling Initiative: Eau to elevate the voices and needs of our beneficiaries and to share best practices in programming.
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03 September 2017
West Africa Regional Office Opening
We opened our West Africa regional office in Fada N'gourma, Burkina Faso. Fada N'gourma, capital of the East region, was chosen strategically given the East region's low rates of safe water access, second lowest in Burkina after the Sahel. As well, the city boasts proximity with nearby Niger, Benin, and Togo, allowing regional mobility.
Our Team
meet the people behind the organization
Our Team
meet the people behind the organization
Board of Directors
Donald BROOKS
President and Chief Executive Officer
Jon RUDNICKI
Vice President of the Board of Directors
Kimberly LYON
Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Staff
Burkina Faso
Hubert OUEDRAOGO
Country Director
Rouki THIOMBIANO
Office Maintenance Staff
Youssouf ZONGO
Field Coordinator
Ruth LOMPO
Office Maintenance Staff
Alassane YONLI
Operations Officer
Our Financials
transparency is one of our core values
Our Financials
transparency is one of our core values
Transparency is critical for accountability. It is the foundation on which relationships of trust are built. To hold ourselves accountable and to build trust with our beneficiaries and contributors, Initiative: Eau commits to the highest levels of transparency. We make the below financial documents available annually; other documents may be available upon request.
2022
Fiscal year 2022 was a year of pause and strategic reflection for Initiative: Eau. After several years of growth and taking into consideration the challenging security context in Burkina Faso, we opted to scale back our operations as we secured sustainable funding opportunities and stabilized our internal systems.
Revenue
Expenses
Past years
Our Alliances
through collaboration we can make a greater impact
Our Alliances
through collaboration we can make a greater impact
UNITED NATIONS ECOSOC
Initiative: Eau is in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Special Consultative Status is granted to non-governmental organizations allowing them to engage in United Nations-system activities dealing with economic and social development. This enables Initiative : Eau to advance our mission and elevate the voices of our beneficiary communities to the global stage.
Networks
Press Room
media contacts, resources, and features
Press Room
media contacts, resources, and features
Contact Us
send us your questions and suggestions
Contact Us
send us your questions and suggestions
United States of America
712 H St NE PMB 97
Washington, DC 20002
+1 617 843 5818
info@initiativeeau.org
Burkina Faso
BP 62
Fada N’Gourma
+226 24 77 08 38
burkina@initiativeeau.org