Governance & Transparency
WaterRising Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, and accredited with United Nations ECOSOC Special Consultative Status. As a matter of principle, our governing bylaws and operating standards are public.
501(c)(3) tax-exempt status granted effective December 1, 2017 (IRS determination letter, August 2018) · Bylaws adopted December 1, 2017 · Flint, Michigan · Fiscal year: January 1 – December 31.
Article II · Purposes
Organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3).
We conduct nonprofit activities and research to explore the impact of climate change and human activity on water quality, quantity, and access; educate and assist communities in responding to water issues; develop information-management and outcome-analysis tools; and deploy those tools through strategic relationships so communities can identify and implement more effective courses of action.
Organizational History & UN Standing
Born out of the Flint, Michigan water crisis in 2019, WaterRising was founded on the belief that safeguarding water systems is a matter of national strength, local stewardship, and generational responsibility — investing in the people and institutions ready to serve, lead, and protect.
Granted June 20, 2025. Independently listed in the United Nations' civil-society records, this accreditation recognizes WaterRising as a civil-society partner able to contribute specialized competence to the UN's water agenda.
WaterRising has applied to become a partner of UN-Water, aligning with its thematic focus areas — Water and Climate Change, Water and Capacity Development, and Water and the Economy. As of this writing the application is pending and not yet publicly confirmed as awarded; we will update this page when the status changes.
Water roundtables since 2021, collecting data from 75+ utilities and ministries.
Engaged through global convenings — the data behind WaterRising's research and policy work.
The talent gap WaterRising works to close as a large share of the ~1.7M U.S. water workforce nears retirement this decade.
Frameworks, Memberships & MOUs
WaterRising operates within recognized global frameworks and partnerships, including UNESCO-WWAP and World Bank research on the water workforce — and is an AquaFed water member.
EIN 82-3568853 · 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status granted effective December 1, 2017 · ECOSOC status independently listed in UN Civil Society records · UN-Water partnership status: application pending.
The Bylaws
A faithful summary of our governing document. The full bylaws are available on request.
WaterRising Institute, a Michigan nonprofit corporation with perpetual existence, headquartered in Flint.
The Corporation has no members; it is governed by its Board of Directors.
A minimum of three Directors, each qualified by prior nonprofit-board, business, or entrepreneurial experience. Directors serve staggered three-year terms and receive no compensation. The Board holds regular, special, and annual meetings — permitted wholly by remote participation — with a quorum of a majority of Directors. Vacancies are filled by majority vote; Directors may be removed for failure to act in the Corporation's best interests.
President (Chief Executive Officer), Secretary, and Treasurer, plus any others the Board designates. One person may hold more than one office, except President and Secretary may not be held simultaneously. Officers are elected at the annual meeting.
Electronic transmission constitutes valid written notice and consent; remote participation counts as attendance in person, enabling a fully distributed, modern governance model.
All assets and earnings are used exclusively for exempt purposes. No earnings inure to any Director, Officer, or private person beyond reasonable compensation for services. The Corporation does not participate in political campaigns.
The Board authorizes contracts, payments, and depositories by resolution; gifts and bequests may be accepted on the Corporation's behalf; loans require a unanimous, specific Board resolution.
Upon dissolution, assets are distributed for one or more 501(c)(3) exempt purposes or to a government entity for a public purpose.
The Corporation does not discriminate against any director, officer, employee, applicant, or participant, consistent with applicable law.
The Corporation indemnifies Directors, Officers, and employees, to the extent legally permissible, for liabilities reasonably incurred in good-faith service to the Corporation.
The Board may amend, alter, make, and repeal the bylaws by majority vote.
UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status
Consultative status — governed by ECOSOC resolution 1996/31 — is a formal accreditation framework for NGO participation in the work of the United Nations. We hold ourselves to its rights and obligations as operating best practice.
Our accreditation lets us contribute specialized competence and hands-on experience to the UN's agenda. In practice, we:
Reference: United Nations, NGO Guide to Consultative Status with ECOSOC; ECOSOC resolution 1996/31.
For the full bylaws, our determination letter, or governance questions, reach the team directly.
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