Rosenthal Million Dollar Challenge

September 15, 2009 to November 15, 2009

What if your $100 or $500 donation had the power of $200 or $1000 for Water For People?

Starting September 15, 2009, the Rosenthal Million Dollar Challenge offers you the chance to double your donation and your impact on communities in our 10 program countries.

New Orleans philanthropists Stephen and Sandy Rosenthal are donating $500,000 and we need to match it by November 15, 2009. The goal is to raise $1 million to help us ensure lasting access to water and sanitation in our expanded country programs.

Please donate today. Your dollars will reach twice as many communities.

ONE + ONE = Transformation

Twice as many schools. Twice as many women, children and families. Please give $100 today and the Rosenthals will turn that into $200 to support communities in building capacity for wells, pumps, latrines, and hygiene education.

"Last fall—together—we raised more than $1 million during the first Rosenthal Million Dollar Challenge to support Water For People’s life-changing work. We were amazed by your response. In March I had the pleasure of visiting Water For People programs in Malawi and Rwanda and saw firsthand the impact that our collective support has made for thousands of people who now have sustainable access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation. It’s powerful stuff and proves that together we can transform lives. Sandy and I want to keep the momentum alive and invite you to join us in raising another million dollars for Water For People today."
~Stephen and Sandy Rosenthal

Double your impact today.

How it works

Gifts must be received between September 15, 2009 and November 15, 2009 (gifts postmarked after November 15th will not be eligible)
Gifts must be identified as applying to the campaign (via specific reply device, through dedicated webpage, check memo or verbally)
All gifts received for this challenge will be designated to where the need is greatest
Gifts received for this promotion cannot be applied to another campaign or existing pledge* (i.e. tributes, memorials, workplace giving, event sponsorships)
No soft credits will apply towards the challenge goal

The transformation that your donation creates is truly incredible.

In 2009, Water For People launched new programs in Rwanda, Uganda, Peru, the Dominican Republic and two new districts in India, in addition to continued support in Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, Malawi, and Nicaragua. Your support helped make this growth possible and we need your help to continue delivering lasting support to these populations.

In West Bengal, India, Water For People is working hard to transform the experience of girls in schools to keep them attending beyond puberty. One initiative created the opportunity for girls in the schools to design their own bathrooms at the school. The process of designing and seeing their design come to fruition not only led to better facilities and hygiene, but to a greater sense of pride and accomplishment for the girls themselves.

In Malawi and Bolivia, Water For People supports local entrepreneurs in building businesses that create and support more latrines. The businesses focus not only on building latrines, but on the systems to empty them, take advantage of the compost to improve agriculture, and create a locally robust economy centered on services for the toilet. This equates to transformation in the number of toilets as well as transformation of local economies and jobs.

Up for the challenge?
Please donate today!

For more information on how you can participate in the Water For People Rosenthal Million Dollar Challenge, contact Wende Valentine, Assistant Director of Major Gifts, at wvalentine@waterforpeople.org or 720.488.4591.