Remix: Scott Harrison & charity: water, 5 years later | Master of Scale

Intro

In this episode of “Masters of Scale Remix,” Scott Harrison, the founder of Charity Water, discusses the organization’s mission to provide clean water to those in need. He shares insights into the challenges of running a non-profit and the power of storytelling in generating support and donations. With a focus on radical transparency and innovative fundraising campaigns, Charity Water has made a significant impact in improving access to clean water worldwide.

Main Takeaways

Impact of Charity Water

• Charity Water has impacted over 17.5 million people with access to clean water.
• 703 million people still live without access to clean water.
• Charity Water is focused on growing their impact and solving the problem in our lifetime.

The Journey of Scott Harrison

• Scott Harrison’s decision to give a year of his life to humanitarian service led to the creation of Charity Water.
• Running a non-profit organization like Charity Water is incredibly difficult due to the complexity and challenges of fundraising, sourcing materials, and inflation.
• Despite the challenges, the unfinished work of providing clean water to everyone keeps Scott energized and motivated to raise more money and get more people involved.

The Power of Storytelling

• Getting people to care and take action is key to the success of Charity Water.
• Even with some rejections, there are still people who say yes and make a significant impact through their donations.
• One million lives were changed through donations, which was four times more than the initial goal.

Radical Transparency and Innovation

• Charity Water’s business model: 100% public donations go directly to the field to provide clean water, and overhead is covered by a separate bank account of 130 families.
• The business model was difficult to put together and was a constraint at scale.
• Charity Water’s commitment to radical transparency is one of their most exciting features.
• They use sensor technology to monitor the functionality of their water projects in real-time and make repairs when necessary.

Innovative Fundraising Campaigns

• Scott Harrison blends analytical ROI with human emotion in his fundraising efforts.
• Scott Harrison launched Charity Water by asking for $20 donations at his 31st birthday party.
• The “Donate Your Birthday” initiative became one of Charity Water’s most successful fundraising efforts.
• People of all ages and backgrounds started giving up their birthdays to support the cause.

Summary

Impact of Charity Water

Charity Water has made a significant impact by providing clean water to over 17.5 million people. However, the global water crisis still affects 703 million people without access to clean water. Scott Harrison is committed to solving this problem in our lifetime and believes that everyone should have access to clean water.

The Journey of Scott Harrison

Scott Harrison’s personal journey of giving a year of his life to humanitarian service led to the creation of Charity Water. Running a non-profit organization like Charity Water comes with numerous challenges, including fundraising, sourcing materials, and dealing with inflation. However, Scott’s passion for providing clean water to everyone keeps him motivated to raise more money and involve more people in the cause.

The Power of Storytelling

Storytelling plays a crucial role in generating support and donations for Charity Water. Despite facing rejections, there are still people who say yes and make a significant impact through their donations. Scott Harrison’s ability to tell compelling stories has changed the lives of one million people, surpassing the initial goal. The power of storytelling helps create empathy and mobilize individuals to take action.

Radical Transparency and Innovation

Charity Water’s business model ensures that 100% of public donations go directly to providing clean water, with overhead costs covered by a separate bank account. This commitment to radical transparency has been a defining feature of Charity Water. The organization also utilizes sensor technology to monitor the functionality of their water projects in real-time, ensuring repairs are made promptly. This innovation has been exported to Ghana, where the government uses it to hold people accountable for sustainable water systems.

Innovative Fundraising Campaigns

Charity Water has created innovative fundraising campaigns that blend analytical ROI with human emotion. Scott Harrison’s “Donate Your Birthday” initiative became a massive success, with people of all ages and backgrounds giving up their birthdays to support the cause. The message of generosity and giving back spread, inspiring more fundraising campaigns. The organization constantly seeks new ideas and campaigns to engage existing and new donors.

Conclusion

Charity Water, led by Scott Harrison, is making a significant impact in providing clean water to those in need. Through their commitment to radical transparency, innovative fundraising campaigns, and the power of storytelling, they have changed the lives of millions of people. However, there is still more work to be done to solve the global water crisis. With ongoing support and engagement from donors, Charity Water aims to achieve their mission of providing clean water to everyone in our lifetime.