What is Thirsting to Serve (T2S)?

T2S is a 503(c)3, tax exempt organization.  Your contributions to T2S are totally tax deductible.  We are dedicated to funding projects that will provide access to clean water to people world wide.  T2S is a subcommittee of Rotary District 6290’s World Community Service Committee.

What is Rotary?

Rotary is a service organization with over 1.2 million members in more than 200 countries.  Rotarians work together on services projects for the benefit of people who are underprivileged and live in underdeveloped parts of the world.  Funding from more affluent Rotary clubs is used for projects in host countries under the scrutiny of the local host Rotarians.  The local host Rotarians assure that projects are done properly, use the best materials possible, are economical, reflect the will and interest of the recipients, and are sustainable. International and host Rotary partners work together, world wide, unhampered by governmental or religious limitations.

Why should I contribute to T2S rather than other organizations?

Each dollar that you donate may well be multiplied by the time it is spent on a project.  This is because projects requesting our funds typically must provide matching funds.  We rarely provide all of the funds for a project.  In this way, donations to T2S are leveraged and a donation of one dollar may result in a two or three dollar match, with other funds coming from the applicant Rotary club, District 6290,the international Rotary Foundation and/or other partners.

Projects done by Rotary are typically more economical than those done by other organizations.  This is because much of the work, e.g. engineering, financial reporting, and supervisory oversight, plus travel and other expenses, are provided at no cost by the local and international Rotary partners.

What kind of projects do you fund?

We fund all kinds of water projects including well drilling, building water distribution systems, capping and protecting water sources, installing household water filters, rain water harvesting and others.  Because access to clean water requires proper hygiene and sanitation, we also fund health education and latrines.

Who can apply for T2S funding?

Funding is available for projects led by District 6290 Rotary clubs or the District itself, which is in West Michigan, U.S.A. and south west Ontario, Canada.

How much of my donation goes to actual projects?

At least 95% of your donation goes to water projects.  Less than 5% is used for T2S administrative overhead.  This is because T2S is a Rotary based organization and all administrative time and office space is donated by Rotarians.  Minimum expenses are incurred – the remaining funds are used solely for water projects. You can find the actual percentage and financial information on the Financials tab found on About Us on the home page.

How do you distribute funds?

Rotary clubs that want project funding from T2S must complete an application and submit it to the Board of T2S.  The requests are weighed at the monthly Board meetings.  Positive consideration is given to projects that have:

• solid and reliable oversight in the project (host) country
• are economical
• serve large numbers of people
• will make a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of the target community
• include community participation during implementation
• are deemed desirable by the community
• are secure from casual vandalism or theft, and
• are sustainable.

Sustainability is an important consideration, as we want to make certain that the projects that we fund remain operational, with a positive impact on the community, for many years to come.  Those projects that meet our criteria and appear worthy are funded.

What countries do you work in?

T2S has funded projects in Asia, India, Africa and Latin America.  We consider every project that is proposed to us, regardless of it location, the orientation of the government, or the religious beliefs of the recipients.