Living Water International 
The information in this column was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 4/23/2021. To update the information in this column, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
Summary
We mobilize churches and communities to cultivate sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene programs, and an ongoing witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Time and time again we have seen these lasting benefits pave the way for people to flourish-through good health, improved education, stable livelihoods, and thriving relationships.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Living Water International
4001 Greenbriar Drive
Stafford, TX 77477
Website: www.water.cc
Phone: (281) 207-7800
Email: help@water.cc
Organization details
EIN: 760324875
CEO/President: Michael J Mantel, Ph.D.
Chairman: Jim Reid
Board size: 12
Founder: Group of Houston Businessmen
Year founded: 1991
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1998
Purpose
Since the very beginning, water provision has been the cornerstone of our work in every country we operate in. Water access is about more than just installing water systems. It's about installing the right systems, which might mean water wells, rainwater harvesting, protected springs, or something else entirely. And it's about helping whole communities and regions have enough safe, accessible, reliable water to significantly improve the lives of the people who live there.
In places where there is no safe, clean place to go to the toilet, people struggle with disease, lack of privacy, and indignity. Once communities have access to safe, sustainable water, they can improve their sanitation, dramatically raising their quality of life-improving health, increasing school achievement, and multiplying productivity. In many areas, Living Water International helps community members develop plans for sanitation that result in clean, functional latrines in homes, schools, clinics, and churches.
Safe water and sanitation systems are important, but to have an impact, people need to use them effectively to improve their health. Education is important-helping people understand how to prevent diseases by washing their hands, storing their water properly, and using a latrine. But head knowledge is just the beginning; helping communities identify important behaviors and make their own plan to use them is the end goal.
Our concern is for whole people-physical and spiritual. As followers of Jesus, we know that he has the power to transform people, restore relationships, and heal factors that lead to poverty, hunger, and thirst. We work with local churches wherever we find them, identify ways we can be part of what God is already doing, and share the good news about Jesus in simple ways-like telling stories and asking questions.
For all of these things to be effective for the long term, we have to involve the community from the very beginning. We're learning alongside the communities we serve that projects are most sustainable when they respond to both need and demand, when financing is carefully thought through, and when management is handled locally with lots of ongoing support.
Mission statement
Living Water International uses the following to express its Mission Statement:
"LWI exists to demonstrate the love of God by providing desperately needed clean water and medical attention, along with the "living water" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfies the deepest thirst."
Statement of faith
For our staff in the United States, Christian faith is a prerequisite for employment, based upon United States federal guidelines provided in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Living Water International Statement of Faith
I believe there is one God who eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Ephesians 4:4-6)
I believe that Jesus Christ, though fully God, came to earth as a man. Through his sinless life, his atoning death, and his bodily resurrection, he offers us salvation, new life, and a place in the family of God (John 1:1-4, John 1:12; Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
I believe that salvation is a free gift of grace, received through faith in Christ and expressed through good works performed in his name. (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-6).
I believe the Holy Spirit is present and active in the world today, empowering those who follow Christ to live and love well (Galatians 5:16-18; Romans 8:9).
I believe the Bible is inspired by God and is authoritative in the life of every follower of Christ (2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 17:17).
I believe the Church is made up of all people who follow Christ; across creed, gender, race and social class (Matthew 22:36-40; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 4:1-6).
I believe that all followers of Christ have the responsibility and privilege to proclaim the gospel by actively sharing their faith in Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8) and demonstrate the gospel by compassionately caring for the "least of these" (Matthew 25:40).
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Relief and Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 833 of 913 | 66 of 75 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 809 of 915 | 69 of 75 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 749 of 915 | 65 of 75 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 581 of 913 | 45 of 75 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 13% | 16% | 13% | 15% | 12% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 13% | 15% | 13% | 14% | 11% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 98% | 100% | 97% | 94% | 93% | 92% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 15% | 15% | 14% | 13% | 12% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 2% | 0% | 3% | 6% | 7% | 8% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 77% | 79% | 79% | 80% | 81% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 97% | 92% | 103% | 89% | 108% | 97% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 83% | 71% | 81% | 70% | 86% | 78% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 3% | 8% | -3% | 11% | -8% | 3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | 16% | -7% | 27% | -35% | 8% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 7% | 7% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.72 | 1.57 | 2.05 | 1.91 | 3.97 | 2.05 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.30 | 1.63 | 1.95 | 1.82 | 2.20 | 1.55 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.75 | 2.55 | 4.01 | 3.49 | 8.71 | 3.17 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.49 | 4.04 | 3.98 | 4.74 | 3.04 | 4.97 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.21 | 0.33 | 0.20 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 3.21 | 3.54 | 2.24 | 2.71 | 0.92 | 3.02 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 13% | 15% | 13% | 12% | 15% | 13% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 48% | 54% | 42% | 46% | 21% | 43% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 |
| Cash | $4,312,155 | $1,371,537 | $1,436,590 | $1,190,653 | $2,565,289 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $4,674,861 | $4,733,899 | $5,593,579 | $941,886 | $2,201,872 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2,441,918 | $3,165,994 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $8,987,016 | $6,105,436 | $7,030,169 | $4,574,457 | $7,933,155 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $5,645,101 | $5,820,327 | $5,796,654 | $5,469,479 | $4,379,213 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $5,645,101 | $5,820,327 | $5,796,654 | $5,469,479 | $4,379,213 |
| Total assets | $14,632,117 | $11,925,763 | $12,826,823 | $10,043,936 | $12,312,368 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $2,025,813 | $1,194,328 | $1,358,763 | $1,437,122 | $1,219,555 |
| Other current liabilities | $196,387 | $341,303 | $123,585 | $66,376 | $377,141 |
| Total current liabilities | $2,222,200 | $1,535,631 | $1,482,348 | $1,503,498 | $1,596,696 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $2,222,200 | $1,535,631 | $1,482,348 | $1,503,498 | $1,596,696 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 |
| Without donor restrictions | $8,787,748 | $5,775,984 | $6,292,403 | $7,884,148 | $7,964,684 |
| With donor restrictions | $3,622,169 | $4,614,148 | $5,052,072 | $656,290 | $2,750,988 |
| Net assets | $12,409,917 | $10,390,132 | $11,344,475 | $8,540,438 | $10,715,672 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 |
| Total contributions | $24,934,101 | $22,949,571 | $25,861,449 | $34,281,333 | $24,031,295 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $782,414 | $1,707,043 | $2,512,804 | $1,997,071 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $56,906 | $16,039 |
| Other revenue | $17,146 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total other revenue | $17,146 | $782,414 | $1,707,043 | $2,569,710 | $2,013,110 |
| Total revenue | $24,951,247 | $23,731,985 | $27,568,492 | $36,851,043 | $26,044,405 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 |
| Program services | $17,722,587 | $19,308,064 | $19,383,023 | $31,776,913 | $20,379,412 |
| Management and general | $1,851,215 | $1,578,232 | $1,720,263 | $2,826,689 | $1,879,339 |
| Fundraising | $3,357,660 | $3,588,702 | $3,453,794 | $5,241,457 | $2,921,331 |
| Total expenses | $22,931,462 | $24,474,998 | $24,557,080 | $39,845,059 | $25,180,082 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $2,019,785 | ($743,013) | $3,011,412 | ($2,994,016) | $864,323 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | ($211,330) | ($207,375) | $818,782 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $2,019,785 | ($954,343) | $2,804,037 | ($2,175,234) | $864,323 |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 4/23/2021. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
History
Around the world, communities are trapped in debilitating poverty because they constantly suffer from water-related diseases and parasites, and/or because they spend long stretches of their time carrying water over long distances.
In response to this need, we implement participatory, community-based water solutions in developing countries. Since we started, we've completed more than 18,000 water projects (and counting!).
It all began when a group from Houston, Texas traveled to Kenya and saw the desperate need for clean drinking water. They returned to Houston and founded a 501(c)3 non-profit. The fledgling organization equipped and trained a team of Kenyan drillers, and Living Water Kenya began operations the next year under the direction of a national board. That pattern continues today; we train, consult, and equip local people to implement solutions in their own communities in the countries where we work.
Remembering the life-changing nature of that first trip in 1990, we also lead hundreds of volunteers on mission trips each year, working with local communities, under the leadership of nationals, to implement water projects. It's hard to know which lives are changed more-those "serving" or those "being served." Our training programs in shallow well drilling, pump repair, and hygiene education have equipped thousands of volunteers and professionals in the basics of integrated water solutions since 1997.
Program accomplishments
Completed roughly 21,000 water projects