Water Is Life Kenya Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SPARK PERSONAL, ECONOMIC, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN MARGINALZIED COMMUNITIES IN KENYA THROUGH CLEAN WATER ACCESS (WASH PROGRAM), LIVESTOCK TRAINING AND LOANS (LIVESTOCK AS A BUSINESS), WOWENS ENTREPRENEURSHIP (HOPE FOR WIDOWS), AND SUPPORTING FAMILY IMCOMES (BEADED HANDICRAFT
- Income
- $693,831
- Spending
- $620,826
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 7.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $67,733, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 86 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $232,393 spent. WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE (WASH) Program Water is Life Kenyas Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program enhances access to clean drinking water for marginalized Maasai communities in Southern Kenya. In 2024 WILK drilled three borehole wells and opened its 30th WASH project, bringing total beneficiaries to 100,000 people with clean water. This program alleviates the long distances women and girls previously traveled for water, enables girls to attend school, and provides essential water for livestock, the main source of income for Maasai families. Key benefits include clean water for drinking and hygiene, improved health for communities, more robust livestock, and time-savings for women. Additionally, access to clean water allows families to allocate resources towards paying for chidrens school fee, which fosters long-term ecomonic development.
- $93,218 spent. LIVESTOCK AS A BUSINESS (LAB Program) Water is Life Kenyas Livestock as a Business (LAB) program empowers groups of Maasai livestock farmers to increase productivity and profitability through a four-year training and microloans. LAB trains smallholder farmers in best practices for animal husbandry, livestock business marketing skills, disease prevention, and drought-cycle management. Since its launch in 2011, LAB has positively impacted over 750 livstock farmers by boosting incomes and improving food security, enabling families to become more resilient to recurring drought. Through targeted support, farmers learn to manage their resources effectively and grow sustainable businesses. In early 2024, the 3-year drought ended. We developed a Planning for Pasture extension program that addressed the need for communities to manage grass resources, grazing plans, and long-term environmental sustainability.
- $59,292 spent. HOPE FOR WIDOWS PROGRAM Since 2022, the Hope for Widows program has been providing critical support to Maasai widows, helping them gain financial independence through entrepreneurship. In 2024, the first group of 30 widows graduated, the second group of 30 widows received their second grants, and the third group of 30 widows were trained in business skills, receiving three goats and their first $150 grant. All groups were supported by ongoing monitoring and guidance provided by WILK. By establising small businesses, these women can support their families and overcome the challenges posed by societal norms. The program fosters community collaboration and empowers women heads of households to create sustainable livelihoods, helping them break free from the cycle of poverty and dependency.
- $76,952 spent. All other includes: Beaded Handicrafts, which empowers Kenyann artisans and Maasai women through traditional beadwork serving as both a cultural expression and an economic opportunity. The proceeds from sales support water projects and other community initiatives. Education support for needy school students by paying for their school fees. WILK facilitates the payments for these ongoing eductional sponsorships. And Lositeti Borehold from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, WILK was supported by Rotary District 7630 and nine partner clubs within the District with the intention of financially supporting the Lostieti Community Borehole. This partnership generated $16,300 to fund the purchase and equipping of the water pump and power source (solar panels)for this project. These funds were collected and distributed to vendors directly by Newark Rotary, and the entire project ws supervised by WILK.
- Other Programs included - Beaded Handicraft ($34,351.54), Education & Additional Support ($11,454.75), plus miscellaneous ($31,145.71)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2009.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.