Viessmann Foundation Donates To Water.org To Reach Communities With Clean Water And Sanitation
July 10, 2025 – The Viessmann Foundation, which represents the core of all philanthropic activities of the Viessmann Generations Group, announces a EUR 1,000,000.00 donation to Water.org. Water.org is a global nonprofit organization pioneering innovative solutions to bring safe water and sanitation to millions of people worldwide. The donation exemplifies the Group’s commitment to driving positive, generational impact, grounded in clearly defined themes for a sustainable future, among them reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing water availability and quality, strengthening health and well-being and supporting education & sciences. Water.org’s work is vital to achieving systemic change in many of these areas.
The donation is estimated to help change the lives of 200,000 people through access to safe water or sanitation. It will support Water.org’s ongoing efforts to bring access to millions more – particularly women and children, who spend an estimated 200 million hours each day collecting water. With access to safe water, these hours are transformed into time for learning, earning, and living.
Max Viessmann, CEO of Viessmann Generations Group: “Clean water is life – it brings dignity, health, and opportunities. Yet for billions of people, it is still out of reach. At the Viessmann Foundation, we see access to clean water and sanitation as a catalyst for long-term, systemic change. Supporting Water.org means backing scalable, community-driven solutions that improve health, advance equality, and unlock precious time and resources so families can thrive. To co-create living spheres for generations to come.”
“Access to safe water and sanitation is essential for families to stay healthy, go to school, and earn a living,” says Gary White, CEO and Co-founder of Water.org. “Supporters like the Viessmann Foundation help scale affordable, lasting solutions that make it possible for more people to access safe water and sanitation at home - and experience the transformative change these essential resources make possible.”
Around the world, 2.2 billion people – nearly one in four – lack access to safe water, while 3.5 billion – about two in five – lack access to safe sanitation. Water is not only fundamental for survival but also the foundation of health, education, gender equality, and economic opportunity. Without access to it, cycles of poverty persist and lives are held back.
According to the World Health Organization, improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene could prevent at least 1.4 million deaths annually. Unsafe water and poor sanitation are major contributors to the spread of diseases. Diarrheal diseases alone account for over one million deaths each year, predominantly affecting children under five.
Water.org, co-founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, is dedicated to solving the global water crisis by empowering families and communities in need with access to affordable financing and expert resources that make household water and toilet solutions a reality. Through initiatives such as WaterCredit, the NGO works with local partners to make small, affordable loans possible that empower individuals to install household water and sanitation solutions. This approach has already enabled more than 79 million people across 15 countries to gain lasting access to safe water or sanitation, transforming lives by improving health, and increasing time for education and enhancing economic opportunities.
This donation underscores Viessmann Generations Group’s ongoing commitment to driving positive, generational impact. Rooted in the values of the family business, the Viessmann Foundation aims to bring long-lasting positive change to people and the planet where market-based solutions reach their limits. By deploying catalytic philanthropic capital, it complements the Group’s private-sector investments and helps drive systemic change toward more resilient and just living spheres.
About Viessmann Foundation gGmbH
Founded in 2020, the Viessmann Foundation gGmbH is the philanthropic arm of the Viessmann Generations Group, united by a shared purpose: co-creating living spheres for generations to come. Rooted in family values, the Foundation acts where market solutions fall short - deploying catalytic capital to complement the Group’s investments and drive systemic change toward resilient, equitable communities. We focus on three high-impact areas, partnering with exceptional organizations: Climate Action, Health and Education, and Poverty Alleviation. More information here.
About Water.org
Water.org is a global nonprofit organization that has positively transformed more than 79 million lives around the world through access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For more than 30 years, Water.org has helped give women hope, children health, and families bright futures. Learn more at https://water.org.
Press Contact
Viessmann Generations Group
Byung-Hun Park
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M: +49151-64911317
Water.org
Cate McGeady
Sr. Public Relations Manager
T: 978-495-2029
