FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DIGDEEP 101

Why should I get involved with DIGDEEP?

We believe that all people have a right to the clean water they need to live in dignity. If you believe in defending human rights as we do, join us as we close the water access gap together!

I have a media / press request.

You may request an interview or information for a media production via email: press@digdeep.org

What are DigDeep's ratings on Guidestar and Charity Navigator?

DigDeep is rated platinum for transparency on Guidestar. On Charity Navigator, DigDeep has a Four-Star Charity rating.

If you wish to review our financial statements, we publish them publicly in our Annual Report. We also file an annual 990, which is available here.

We’re committed to 100% transparency, because we know it’s the only way to make our work truly sustainable. If you have a question or concern regarding a water project or your donation, please contact us by email

Who's fault is it when someone doesn't have access to water?

Countries must ensure access to water for all their citizens – even those too poor to pay for it. They’re also required to ensure adequate oversight and regulation through effective monitoring and complaint mechanisms. States bear the ultimate responsibility for human rights violations caused by the actions of any actor – public or private – inside their territory.

Does DigDeep have a political or religious affiliation?

DigDeep is a secular human rights organization, and we do not have any political or religious affiliation.

DigDeep believes in working with any organization that actively seeks to defend human dignity in an authentic way. We often work with religious groups and organizations – including churches – who support our projects. Some of our partner organizations also have a religious affiliation. We understand water’s intimate relationship with spirituality of many kinds, and we’re grateful for this incredible support.

Sometimes our work requires that we interface with a government or its agencies. DigDeep and our partners strive to keep our work consultative and free of political entanglement, while defending the rights of the vulnerable and marginalized. DigDeep has a no tolerance policy for graft and corruption.

Is DigDeep a tax exempt charitable organization?

DigDeep is a 501(3)c public charity. Our EIN is 46-0686920. Donations made to DigDeep are tax-deductible.

Where does DigDeep work?

DigDeep was founded and began working in South Sudan in 2011. At first we focused on community-led water projects in South Sudan and Cameroon.

We began working in the United States in 2014, where millions of Americans still don’t have access to clean, running water at home. We became the only global WASH organization working domestically, and attention to US projects began to grow. In 2016 we shifted our focus exclusively to the United States.

Learn more about our current projects here.

What is DigDeep’s Vision?

DigDeep works to ensure that every person, everywhere enjoys their human right to water. All people should have access to a sufficient quantity of safe, accessible, affordable water of good quality, and that they should understand and care for their water resources.

We believe water is a human right because without basic access to clean water it’s impossible for a person to live in dignity.

Although we work to provide clean water to those living without it, DigDeep’s larger goal is to change the way people think about water – because so many of us take it for granted.

What does DigDeep do, exactly?

DigDeep's community-led projects bring clean, hot and cold running water into American homes. We also invest in research and advocacy to close the Water Gap once and for all.

DIGDEEP.ORG

Can I control how and when you communicate with me?

Yes! You can choose to opt in or out of communications from us at any time. When you opt in, we’ll send you impact updates and ways to get involved. We don’t sell or share your information. Our goal is to keep you informed and inspired about our work. If you have any questions you can contact us at join@digdeep.org.

Read more about the way we collect and use your personal information in our Statement of Privacy.

Who takes your photos and videos?

We work with a varity of photo and video professionals! Need the photo credit for a particular photo? Email us.

Who made your website?

Our website was designed and coded by Concept & Cadence.

How does digdeep.org collect and use my personal information?

We’ve written a comprehensive Statement of Privacy to answer this question. You can find it here

Can I repost, tweak, edit or share content from digdeep.org?

digdeep.org and all of its content (with the exception of material from external links, publications, media or where otherwise noted) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

Feel free to remix, tweak, and build upon our work for your project, fundraiser or class. That is, providing you credit DigDeep and license your creations under identical terms. Please do not use DigDeep’s work for commercial purposes.

I found a broken link. What should I do?

Super sleuth! Just shoot us a short email with the broken link and the page you found it and we’ll get right on that!

DONATING TO DIGDEEP

How do I donate to DigDeep?

You can make a donation to our water projects online, by check/money order, or by phone.

ONLINE (recommended): simply visit digdeep.org and use any major credit card by clicking the DONATE button near the top right of the screen. Your donation will be processed in USD, and a tax receipt will be sent to the email address you provide. There is more than one way to donate online. Make your donation a monthly commitment, a gift in someone else’s name, or sponsor an entire project.

CHECK OR MONEY ORDER: If you’d like to send your donation by mail, simply post your check or money order to:

DigDeep Water
110 W 11th St, Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Please make your check payable to DigDeep water. Please write your email address on the check so we can send your tax receipt electronically. This cuts down on our overhead and helps save valuable resources, including water! If your donation is a gift in honor of someone, or a pledge to an online fundraising campaign, please include a note with that information. not send cash.

PHONE: We’d be happy to take your donation via phone, using any major credit card. Simply call us +1 424 285 0773 during regular business hours (PST) with your information.

No matter how you donate, 100% of your donation will fund programs that close the Water Gap in the U.S. You can learn more about our 100% model here. You are also welcome to support our administrative needs. Simply make note of your preference when donating.

I live outside of the US. Is my donation tax exempt?

We’re so happy to have your support! Unfortunately, however, only donations made within the US are tax deductible. This means that if you chose to donate, you will not receive a tax receipt.

DigDeep can only process donations in US Dollars. If you’re sending a check or money order, please do so by obtaining it in US currency from an international bank and mail it to:

DigDeep Right to Water Project

110 W 11th St, Suite 400

Los Angeles, CA 90015

Your check or money order should be made payable to DigDeep Water.

Where is my tax receipt?

If you donated online, a tax receipt should have been automatically generated and sent to the email address provided.

If you donated by check or money order you will receive a tax receipt in about 2-4 weeks. If you registered your email address with us, keep an eye out for an electronic receipt. If we only have your postal address, check the mail.

If you can’t find your receipt, feel free to email us We’ll check our records and issue you another.

What is the difference between a program expense and an operational expense?

PROGRAM EXPENSE

We define a program expense in two ways:

1. A direct cost associated with each program
2. A support cost associated with each program

For example, the parts for a home water system–like a cistern or pump–are direct costs. But those parts must be carefully selected, tested, ordered and installed. The time (% of employee’s salary) and resources (% of office use) spent on that process and on growing, documenting and sharing the program are considered a program support cost. Program expenses are covered by your donations.

OPERATIONAL EXPENSE

Operational expenses are costs required to keep us up and running. They include things like operational salaries, fundraising expenses and other costs associated with building and maintaining the organization. Operational expenses are covered by a group of general donors.

How does the 100% model work?

Is my donation to DigDeep tax-deductible?

Yes. DigDeep is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Our EIN is 46-0686920. Your gift is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Can I give anonymously?

Yes. We’ve provided you an anonymous option on the donate form at digdeep.org/donate. When you give anonymously, only DigDeep will know your name and the project your donation funded. The project report sent to donors will not include your information. For gifts of a certain size, we may be legally required to share the donor's name with the IRS.

Can I make my donation a gift in someone else’s name?

A donation is an incredible way to honor someone – both for the recipient community and for the person you’re honoring. We’ve provided you the option to "dedicate this donation" online here.

When you select this option, you’ll be prompted to provide the name and email address of the intended recipient. When we email you your tax-deductible receipt, we’ll also send along a notification to the person you’re honoring.

Who processes my online donation? Is it secure?

DigDeep processes our donations via PayPal and Stripe – the industry leaders in online payment processing. They’ll ensure that your transaction is not only smooth, but also secure.

The information you share on our website is communicated to these services via a secure link. We do not store your credit card information on our own servers.

If you’re having trouble making your donation online for any reason, feel free to call us at our LA HQ during regular business hours (PST) +1 424 222 9047, or email us to discuss other ways to give.

I work at this really cool place and I think they would love DigDeep. How do I get my office involved?

Lucky you! Corporate fundraising can be a great tool for team-building! There are a few different ways you can make this happen:

Fundraise together. Set a collective goal, track your progress and share your campaign with your networks. You might even challenge another office to a fundraise-off. Create your fundraiser to make an impact.

Match your gift. Many corporations have a matching gift program to make their employees’ donations even more powerful. You can select “corporate matching” when making a donation online and search for your company information. You might also ask your Human Resources officer whether your company offers matching gifts.

To begin your campaign, you can mail your company’s matching gift verification letter to:

DigDeep Right to Water Project
110 W 11th St, Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90015

You may also be able to request a matching gift through your corporate intranet. In this case, your corporation will contact us directly.

What is DigDeep’s address?

Thank you for supporting DigDeep. If you’d like to mail a donation, please send it to:

DigDeep Right to Water Project
110 W 11th St, Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Your check or money order should be made payable to DigDeep Water.

Please write your email address on the check so we can send your tax receipt electronically. This cuts down on our overhead and helps save valuable resources, including water!

I make recurring gifts to DigDeep. How can I cancel my gift or change my credit card?

You can make changes to your recurring gift at any time through DigDeep’s online giving portal. Simply enter your email and you’ll receive a secure link directly to your inbox to login, no password needed!

If you are experiencing any difficulty making changes, please send us an email at join@digdeep.org and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.

There are so many “water charities” out there, why should I donate to DigDeep?

DigDeep is the only WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) organization working in the US. We believe that every American has a right to the clean water they need to live a life in dignity, happiness and freedom. If you believe this too, you’re already in the right place.

There are three other great reasons to support our work:

Direct impact approach. Every donation supports programs that close the water gap in the U.S. We stay closely involved in the work—planning, implementing, and learning alongside the communities we serve, and sharing results through regular project updates.

Hands-on approach. DigDeep is not a donation aggregator. We’re involved in each project we fund – in some cases planning and executing the projects

Holistic approach. DigDeep challenges the conditions that cause water poverty by changing the way people think about water. Through education and awareness projects in support of the human right to water, we’re working to combat pollution, over-consumption, disconnection, water conflict, and other related concerns.

I know of a community in need. Can I direct my donation there?

With a few exceptions, we do not allow you to restrict the funds you donate via digdeep.org to a specific project or location – even if we already plan to work there. If you donate to a specific project, like the Navajo Water Project, through those websites, your donation will be used to fund only that work.

If you want to introduce us to a community or family in need, please inform us of the location (GPS and/or address) by email and we’ll ping our project map with the coordinates for future reference.

EDUCATION & AWARENESS PROJECTS

How can I involve my school in your education work?

Are you a student? The best way to involve your school is through an awareness or fundraising event. Consider visiting classrooms, writing a paper, or using your school club or sports team to raise funds for a clean water project. We’re here to help you plan. Just send us an email

Are you a parent or educator? DigDeep believes that water–as it relates to science, world cultures, history economics–should be a key educational focus! Just send us an email and we’ll be happy to discuss your goals and help you plan a social activity, a skype lecture or even a classroom visit. Send an email

Why does DigDeep also plan education and awareness projects?

Providing clean water to those who live without it is an essential step in protecting their human rights. To better strengthen support for the human right to water more generally, however, DigDeep believes we must also change the way people think about water.

Only when all of us–those with and without access to running water–understand the important link between clean water access and human dignity will we avoid future problems like pollution, over-consumption, disconnection, non-access, development failure and conflict. As water stress increases, it’s important that we begin to change both our behavior and our vocabulary.

Finally, we will only achieve legal protection for the human right to water at all levels when we understand and identify with that right’s basic scope and content!

EVENTS

Can DigDeep send materials or staff to my school, event or fundraiser?

If you’re planning an event in LA, and you want us to attend, or if you wish to invite DigDeep Staff to speak at your school or event, send us an email and we’ll check the schedule. Generally, we request that your organization or institution cover travel and housing expenses and fundraise a small honorarium that we will donate towards DigDeep water projects.

To help us focus resources on our core work, we are only able to provide staff or materials for events outside the Los Angeles area when expenses are covered.

I’m planning a fundraiser. Can I offer a tax deduction to vendors or supporters who buy something at my event?

DigDeep takes its responsibility as a public charity very seriously, and does not offer third-party tax deductions that we cannot independently verify.

If your guests wish to make tax deductible donations to your campaign at your event, we suggest you keep detailed records of their names and addresses or offer them access to online giving through an internet-ready computer.

You can also set up a peer-to-peer fundraising page with DigDeep, allowing supporters to donate directly to your campaign online before, during, or after your event. Learn more here under the "Start a Fundraiser" section.

Can I host my own event to fundraise for a water project?

Yes! What better way to make a big impact?

Feel free to use any media you find on the site, including the resources we’ve shared here (resources page), like photos, logos, social media banners and backgrounds, etc…

Make sure you know as much about the human right to water as possible before your event so you can explain it to your supporters and guests. Our website is good for that.

Finally have fun with it. This is your chance to engage your friends, family and network in an exciting way. Make sure the event really reflects you.

You can reach out for help by emailing us.

NOTE: DigDeep takes its responsibility as a public charity very seriously, and does not offer third-party tax deductions that we cannot independently verify./dd>

Can I host my own event to fundraise for a water project?

Yes. We think events are a great way to convince people to recognize and defend the human right to water! DigDeep plans occasional public events in LA, including fundraisers, concerts, dinners and outings. We also plan virtual events and webinars throughout the year. Sign up for our mailing list on the home page at digdeep.org to stay informed!

Does DigDeep host events?

Yes. We think events are a great way to convince people to recognize and defend the human right to water! DigDeep plans occasional public events in LA, including fundraisers, concerts, dinners and outings. We also plan virtual events and webinars throughout the year. Sign up for our mailing list on the home page at digdeep.org to stay informed!

THE HUMAN RIGHT TO WATER

How can the human right to water change things for people living in water poverty?

Human rights change perspectives. A human right to water forces all of us to see water poverty as a situation of injustice – not simply misery or misfortune.

Human rights put humans first. A human right to water forces human dignity back to the center of resource management.

Human rights bring us together. They’re one way of recognizing the global moral conscience that manifests itself throughout the philosophies, religions and cultures of the world.

Human rights create ownership. A right to water encourages people to participate in the bodies and processes that govern water access. It also opens these bodies themselves to input and criticism.

Human rights motivate the big guys. Recognition of the human right to water encourages governments to justify their actions as working toward universal water access, making actions that do the opposite shameful.

Human rights encourage local control. They decentralize control over water resources, allowing access to information and genuine decision-making at the local and regional levels.

Human rights prioritize the poor. By recognizing a human right to water, governments recognize their responsibility to first assist the poorest and most marginalized.

Human rights makes sense. The simple act of recognizing a human right to water creates a logical, level playing field from which a discussion of human economics, smart infrastructure and human development may grow.

How does sanitation factor into the human right to water?

Access to adequate sanitation is an important part of the human right to water (in fact, it’s sometimes called the “human right to water and sanitation”). This is because the two are so closely related.

Humans need both clean water and adequate sanitation facilities to live a healthy life in dignity. Without the one, the other is not effective. Unsafe sanitation practices contaminate clean water sources, and hygienic behavior (and therefore effective use of sanitation facilities) is impossible without clean water.

Every DigDeep project includes a sanitation and hygiene focus. Tools and techniques to encourage adequate sanitation and hygiene vary by location. Learn more on our Our Work

What is sanitation? What is hygiene? Is there a difference?

Sanitation is the effective use of tools and actions that keep our environment healthy. These include latrines or toilets to manage waste, food preparation, washing stations, effective drainage and other such mechanisms.

Hygiene is a set of personal practices that contribute to good health. It includes things like hand-washing, bathing and cutting hair/nails. Hand-washing is the single most important activity we can all do to encourage the stop of disease.

The difference is subtle but important. While both sanitation and hygiene are related, we must be taught both effective tools and effective behaviors to protect our health. Imagine how important these can be in places without a toilet or where hand washing has never been learned!

Does the human right to water require that water be provided for free?

No, but water must be always be affordable. For those who cannot afford to pay without jeopardizing some other important right (like the rights to food, housing or health), water must be provided for free. For most people, however, water can be provided for a price or contribution in-kind.

DigDeep’s projects establish a body of community leaders to oversee every water project we construct. Sometimes, these “water councils” charge a nominal amount for the water each family consumes. Water Council funds can be used for loans, community development and well maintenance. Learn more about DigDeep projects on our Our Work page

Should water access be the same for everyone? Is everyone entitled to sinks and flush toilets?

Just as communities differ from place to place, appropriate technologies (like a hand pump well or a flush toilet) differ from place to place. The goal is to start by providing everyone with the basic access they need to protect their health and dignity, and work from there!

DigDeep works to ensure that our projects meet international standards of water availability, acceptability, accessibility, affordability and quality. Beyond those standards, each project is customized to meet local expectations of convenience and comfort.

How much water does the human right protect? Is there enough water in the world to protect this right for everyone?

Every human being requires about 1 gal. (4 liters) of water a day to survive in a moderate climate at an average activity level. We require an additional 13 gal. (50 liters) minimum to meet safe cooking, bathing and sanitation standards.

That means that we require about 5.3 gal. (20 liters) of water every day to survive and live the most basic life. Some people call this the human right’s “minimum core.” This is just a “minimum” because access to 5 gal. of water over the long term still poses significant health risks. To ensure the full enjoyment of the right to water (and the full expression of our dignity and freedom) we generally require about 13-27 gallons (50-100 liters) per person, per day.

There is sufficient water to meet the human rights-based needs of every person in every country in the world–it’s just a matter of distribution within the population. Human rights requires human consumption of basic amounts of water to trump other uses like industry.

Where does the “human right to water” concept come from?

In law, the human right to water is a relatively new concept. Water was not mentioned among other human rights codified after WWII in the 1940s. Water access was only implied in international human rights treaties – probably because diplomats could not imagine the water crisis ahead.

Water access became a greater concern on the international stage in the 1970’s, and there has been a struggle to define the human right to water in law ever since. Though the Human Right to Water and Sanitation has been formally recognized, we’re still a long way from creating effective protection for that right worldwide.

Learn more about DigDeep’s work to defend your human right to water on our Our Work page

How does DigDeep take a Human Rights-Based Approach in its projects?

Each DigDeep project is planned with a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) to development. The differing needs of individuals or communities mean that the specifics differ from place to place. Here are some examples:

1. DigDeep treats water poverty as an injustice. It’s a huge shift in focus. Severe poverty precludes the enjoyment of human dignity and is therefore unjust. The poor don’t receive our help because its “good” to do so (charity), or because they “need” it to grow economically or socially (traditional development) – but because they deserve it by reason of the dignity we all share. HBRA creates a level-playing field between those experiencing poverty and those helping fight it
2. DigDeep treats its recipient communities as stakeholders. We recognize that human dignity gives each of us a unique potential that can only be recognized when we’re empowered to lift ourselves (and our families) out of poverty. Without personal empowerment, efforts to help the suffering are often ineffective.
3. DigDeep provides the poorest and most vulnerable with special attention. Since all people are equal, development should befit us all equally. Internationally, this means a project focuses on areas of extreme poverty and little governmental ability. Within communities, this means additional efforts to address traditional models of marginalization.
4. DigDeep combats discrimination and exclusion. In any community, gender-based and social discrimination can silence certain voices. We all have a right to participate in our own development. Women and the marginalized are always given a democratic voice (often their first) in water decision-making.
5. DigDeep focuses on processes and outcomes. Your donation is important, but we’re especially interested in its ability to (a) educate you about your human right to water and (b) empower others to protect their own rights. Our projects focus on process and outcomes by encouraging:
   • local ownership through community buy-ins
   • social cohesion and gender equity through authentic participation
   • rule-of law through formal governance mechanisms
   • sustainability through community participation
6. DigDeep treats humans holistically. People are civil, political, social, economic and cultural beings. DigDeep projects address water-related issues of education, economic productivity, and cultural tradition.
7. DigDeep engages responsible parties. Over time, DigDeep uses its work with local communities to build a trusting relationship with local and state governments, encouraging the creation of policies that respect rights.
8. DigDeep actively engages a worldwide audience. We build support for everyone’s human right to water through education and awareness programs. We’re all in this together.

What is a Human Rights-Based Approach to development?

A Human Rights-Based Approach to development (HRBA) is a practical framework that integrates human rights and dignity into the plans and processes of development. A HRBA strives to place the human being at the center of decision-making over their community and resources, and it creates or rethinks activities designed to fight poverty.

Conceptually, this means a shift in focus. HRBA focuses not just on poverty, but on the processes that perpetuate it like marginalization, discrimination and exploitation. A lack of access to clean water – for instance – is seen not just as a problem, but an injustice.

Practically, HRBA changes every aspect of a planned activity to fight poverty (including water poverty). DigDeep maximizes the impact of all of or projects using an HRBA. Affected individuals are treated as equal stakeholders, not victims or charity recipients. Efforts are made to protect the rights of the poorest and traditionally marginalized. The community is involved in every aspect of decision-making, creating ownership and responsibility. Mechanisms are created to encourage the development of rule-of-law and processes for complaint or oversight for resource management. Finally, the human person is treated holistically, and efforts are made to address the civil, political, social, economic and cultural roles related to water. Over time the local and state governments are actively engaged.

The stakeholders we work with are not expected to be grateful – they’re expected to be proactive… empowered to protect their own rights and achieve their own development in the future.

What is a human right? What is the human right to water?

Human rights are those rights you enjoy simply by being human. They are universal, inalienable and all fundamentally related. Human rights are also intuitive – they’re the way you instinctively expect to be treated as a person.

More than that, human rights constitute legal requirements. Human rights define the basic nature of the relationship between you and your government. When fully recognized, they are often “enshrined” (or written down) as legal tools used to ensure you are treated in a way that recognizes your fundamental human dignity.

Human rights still exist, however, even when not fully recognized by governments. That’s because they originate in the natural law – a common understanding of what it takes to live a truly free and happy life.

There are many human rights, and the right to water is one of the most vital to health and dignity.

 

What is the human right to water?

Kofi Annan said it best: “access to safe water is a fundamental need and therefore a basic human right.”

The human right to water is a concept that recognizes – first and foremost – that all people require basic access to clean water and sanitation in order to live healthy, dignified lives.

The concept itself is a powerful one.

When we embrace the link between basic water access and human dignity, we begin to rethink the way we use water… challenging pollution, over-consumption, unsustainable use, potential conflict – even transforming the way we help people get access to water for the first time.

DigDeep plans projects that defend the human right to water and create measurable change. We call this the Human Rights Based Approach.

Human rights are most powerful when recognized by the laws that protect and govern us (both domestic and international). That’s because human rights laws define the basic relationship between the stakeholder (that’s you!) and your government.

The human right to water and sanitation exists in international law. In 2010 the United Nations General Assembly (representing every country in the world) unanimously recognized the right to water and sanitation derived from the right to an adequate standard of living (from article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, a binding treaty). Even before this landmark resolution in 2010, every country in the world had voiced its support for the right to water at least once, through public statement, international declaration, resolution, law or policy. For international law geeks, the basic content of the right to water had been previously outlined in 2001 by the UN organ ECOSOC in its General Comment 15 (GC15).

The human right to water is also recognized and protected in national law. In countries that have signed the ICESCR and enshrined it in national law (like India), in countries that have adopted a constitutional protection for right to water (like Mexico, Uganda and South Africa) or in countries with legislation or policies that explicitly or implicitly support the right (like Sri Lanka, Brazil or France).

DigDeep is working to improve recognition and protection of the human right to water across the U.S. (and the world). It’s an essential step toward defending the right for all people, everywhere. We believe that every human being has a right to the clean water they need to live with dignity. If you believe that too, join us by donating, sharing DigDeep’s works with your network and registering for updates

VOLUNTEER AND INTERN INFORMATION

Can I travel with DigDeep to work on a project?

Trips to the field require care and coordination and can place additional demands on our partners and the communities we work in. Because DigDeep is committed to protecting dignity, privacy, and wellbeing of each person we work with, we are thoughtful about when and how outside visitors are present in community spaces.

We aim to balance this responsibility with opportunities for meaningful learning and connection across different experiences of water access. For that reason, DigDeep plans periodic site visits on an invitation-only basis.

Does DigDeep have interns?

DigDeep offers a limited Fellowship Program at its LA HQ for current college or graduate students, or recent graduates. Fellowships are different than internships; they’re integrated learning experiences that give participants real-world experience across an operating non-profit. Each Fellowship is tailored to the Fellow’s expertise and interests. Our Fellows don’t get coffee, run errands or make copies.

LA fellowships are unpaid, and all expenses – including travel and housing – are the sole responsibility of the Fellow. Fellows seeking college credit are preferred.

We post periodic Fellowship openings on our social media accounts and to our email list. If you’re interested in applying for a Fellowship with DigDeep, send your cover letter and resume to us by email and put “Intern Request” in the subject line. We’ll be in touch with you to discuss openings!

WATER ACCESS PROJECTS

I heard that DigDeep’s projects sometimes serve people with issues like substance abuse or a criminal record. Is this true?

Every person has a human right to the water we all require to live in dignity. This includes the poorest and most marginalized – even criminals. The right to water for the incarcerated is recognized in the UN Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners, just as similar documents protect water access for women (CEDAW), children (CRC) and prisoners of war (Geneva). DigDeep is proud to lead access projects that serve all people, no matter their character, history or way of life.

Learn more about all of our access projects on the Our Work page

How long does a DigDeep water project last?

The human right to water requires that every person always have access to clean water. That’s why every access project DigDeep funds – with the exception of emergency water programs – is designed to be sustainable.

In the end we have no way of guaranteeing that a water project will last forever. That responsibility belongs to the communities we serve! If they run into a snag, DigDeep and our partners are here to help.

Who owns a water project once it’s completed?

DigDeep projects are generally locally-owned and community-run — built on community land with direct public participation in every level of decision-making, both before and after construction.

Occasionally, DigDeep and our partners construct projects on the grounds of schools, churches, clinics or other community/charitable organizations. In these cases, projects fall under the administration of the operating entity, which has committed to actively engaging the local community.

In some cases DigDeep installs equipment in private homes. In these cases, the equipment is owned and maintained by the homeowner, who actively participates in building the project and is trained to care for it.

Who supplies the material for DigDeep’s water projects?

Materials vary tremendously by location, partner and project. DigDeep sources materials from a number of vendors with whom we have negotiated favorable terms and even sponsorships. Sometimes DigDeep works with local businesses (like well drillers) who procure their own supplies.

Most DigDeep projects also require a community buy-in: some material contribution from the local community hosting the water project. This often includes a contribution of in kind supplies like bricks, aggregate, sand and gravel or participation in light construction work. Sometimes the contribution is monetary, a portion of the project cost. Each community buy-in is determined jointly by DigDeep and our local partners and is based on the situation of the community in question.

How does DigDeep choose a project or location?

With 2.2+ million Americans lacking a safe source of clean, running water and basic plumbing, there are far more communities in need than DigDeep has the resources to serve.

DigDeep has a dedicated staff of human rights and project development professionals that vet projects with the help of our partner organizations. Although it’s a complicated process, there are three basic criteria:

First, we have to ensure that the community can be reached by either DigDeep staff or a trusted local partner. Second, we must have the capacity to execute the project in a responsible and sustainable way. Finally, the stakeholder community must demonstrate ownership of the project and its willingness to manage of the new water source when we’re finished.

You can see all of the regions in which we’re currently working by visiting our Our Work page

How does DigDeep select a partner organization?

DigDeep does not accept solicitations or recommendations for new partnerships. Each of our partnerships is carefully initiated through in-house and field research utilizing expert knowledge and publicly-available data (including charitable accountability ratings). We build on this work through site visits, project audits and frequent communication.

Does DigDeep build the projects it funds?

For every project, DigDeep is actively involved in project planning and implementation, including post-construction monitoring. Our incredible staff and advisory board keep themselves at the cutting-edge of water management strategy and technology.

When we build relationships with local partners or contractors, we look for expertise, experience and a long-term commitment to the communities we serve. It’s a time and capital-intensive process formalized by a special agreement called an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

When DigDeep plans a local project, every effort is made to source all the necessary work (ex. well drilling) from within the affected community in support of the local economy. DigDeep considers each of our projects an “investment” not only in human rights, but also in local development. Each project empowers local stakeholders to defend their own rights… as decision-makers, maintenance-trainees, construction specialists or community spokesmen (to name a few roles).

What goes into a water project exactly?

A lot of time and effort – and great concern for each and every human person we serve. Each water project is unique, but here are some factors to consider:

Construction and Equipment. The bulk of funds cover construction costs (like drilling or excavating), equipment costs (like pumps, tools, etc…) and costs related to water trucking and the exploration and engineering of water access points.

Labor. Covers salaries and benefits for our local water techs, project managers and contractors. Sometimes this includes bonuses or a staff celebration.

Partner Costs. Project partners like local government or community-based organizations generally cover their own costs related to a project, but we may help from time-to-time with gap support or a big purchase.

Program Support Costs. The time (as a % of employee’s salary) and resources (as a % of office use) spent on the program. Program Support Costs include housing, meals and travel for multi-site crew, volunteer trips, site visits for partnership or community-building, conferences, meetings with local leaders, regulatory agencies, and research costs.

Sanitation Training. Part hardware and part software. In addition to investing time and equipment into bathrooms, hand washing stations and other sanitation measures, DIGDEEP gives local communities the training they need to ensure that their water source will stay clean and protected for generations.

Hygiene Training. Access to water can cut disease rates by about 20%. When combined with adequate sanitation facilities and basic hygiene education, however, that number can more than double. Hygiene is about avoiding disease by changing behavior – including body cleanliness, hand washing, and food cleaning / storage.

Human Rights Work. Communities are empowered to claim and protect their rights in the future. Our activities help create basic mechanisms for rule of law (like water councils) and build awareness around location-specific human rights-based entitlements.

Information Collection and Reporting. Whether the data is coming from partners, DigDeep staff or independent photographers, videographers and journalists, this covers the time and equipment used to report on a water project to its supporters and the public.

Monitoring and Maintenance. Covers the cost of equipping a community to care for their own water source. Generally, long-term maintenance costs are borne by the local community, but occasionally some funds are used to re-visit project sites or assist communities with repairs that they are unable to cover themselves.

Program funds are not used for fundraising or for operational expenses like operational salaries, fundraising expenses, web development, and other costs associated with building and maintaining the organization.

How much does a well cost?

DigDeep plans and executes a number of water projects, not just wells. Costs can vary greatly depending on technology, geographical location, local infrastructure and national regulations.

The estimated cost of a project includes research and permitting, construction, labor, follow-up and sanitation, hygiene and human rights training. Local communities always help bear part of this cost, either through cash or in-kind contributions.

DigDeep reports the cost of some individual water projects in project reports. See a sample report

When is water considered “clean”?

The Human right to water entitles every person to available, safe, acceptable and accessible water for personal and domestic use. “Accessible” water must also be affordable (if paid for).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), safe drinking water is free from micro-organisms, chemical substances and radiological hazards that constitute a threat to a person’s health.

Standards for each of these potential contaminants are held and updated by several international bodies, as well as many national governments, including the US EPA Clean and Safe Drinking Water Act Standards. DigDeep and its partners always test the water provided by our projects and ensure we meet these standards.

Who typically benefits from a DigDeep project?

DigDeep water projects are designed to give an improved source of water to those living in water poverty. Every person’s experience of water poverty is unique, but generally our clients live off of just a few gallons or less of water each day, often consume contaminated water, and must travel long distances to collect water. They also experience water and sanitation-related impacts to their health, education, family life and happiness. Together, all of these factors impact their ability to live with dignity.

You can find more information – including personal stories – on the Our Work

I believe every American has a human right to clean, running water.

I believe in an America where every family can clean their hands, bodies and homes.

I believe American families shouldn’t have to choose between buying clean water or putting food on the table.

I believe that tribal nations, rural communities and people of color deserve running water.

I believe young Americans shouldn’t have to drive to truck stops to use the bathroom or take a shower