We are exploring water, sanitation, and hygiene (WS&H) as a potential long-term area of grant-making for the foundation. As part of this learning initiative, we are making limited and focused grants to determine if there are effective, sustainable, and scalable solutions that are consistent with the foundation’s principles. The findings from these grants and our related learning activities will also help us to assess whether the foun-dation’s approach to complex problems (e.g., promoting in-novative solutions, working through partners) aligns well with the opportunities for making an impact in the WS&H sector. Please note that WS&H is not, and may not become, a long-term area of giving for the foundation.

The impact of this problem is profound. Unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene are a leading cause of avoidable death and disease, especially among children. Every year, 1.5 million children under the age of 5 die from diarrhea and other water-related diseases. Unsafe WS&H also have serious economic and social consequences. It is estimated that those who do not have access to clean water spend the equivalent of one working month every year searching for water. This is time they could otherwise spend earning income or studying. Women and girls suffer most from poor WS&H: for example, many girls don’t attend school because they must spend the school day finding water for their families or because school buildings lack adequate sanitation facilities.