Case Study: Water Is Basic achieves real-time donor updates and increased supporter engagement with EZ Texting

How an International Nonprofit Raised Awareness and Funds to Aid 1.5M People

Water Is Basic is a nonprofit that trains and equips local teams in Southern Sudan to drill wells and bring clean water to communities where roughly 70% lack safe water and water-related illness kills many children. Because donors to international causes often can’t see tangible results, WiB needed a way to provide instant, ongoing proof of impact beyond occasional mailers and website maps.

WiB chose EZ Texting for its affordability, rented the keyword WATER and promoted “Text WATER to 313131” via email, Facebook, their website widget and posters. The service sends real-time alerts each time a well is completed (about one per week, with a goal of daily), keeps donors engaged and encourages more giving and word-of-mouth. Within four months about 150 supporters signed up—roughly 25% of their 600 donors—allowing supporters to see where their money goes in real time.

Water Is Basic

Steve Harrell

US Coordinator