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Water First

The water crisis in Indigenous communities in Canada is unacceptable.

Water First helps to address local water challenges in Indigenous communities through education, training and meaningful collaboration. We work together with Indigenous communities to build capacity locally, collaborating to address both drinking water and environmental water concerns. And we have seen the impact. Real long-term solutions that increase knowledge and skills — benefiting both individuals and communities.

There are many ways to contribute to Water First’s work addressing the water crisis in Indigenous communities. Whether it’s through a single or monthly donation, planned gift or hosting a fundraiser, we invite you to explore how you can be part of the solution.

Ways to Give

Donate Online

Be part of the solution today.

The water crisis in Indigenous communities is complex. For some communities, the challenge is infrastructure. For others, it’s source water quality. And for many communities, it’s the lack of skilled water operators and technical support staff.

Water First programs support participants in developing technical skills to go on to employment or further education in water science fields. They build confidence in themselves and a passion for making positive change in their communities. 

Become a Monthly Donor

When you join Water First’s monthly giving program, you join our special community of donors that care deeply about safe, clean water in Indigenous communities in Canada.

Send a Cheque

If you prefer to donate by cheque, please make the cheque payable to Water First Education & Training and mail it to our office at:

10 Francis Street East
Creemore, ON  L0M 1G0.

Corporate Gift Matching

Thousands of employers across Canada match their team member’s fundraising efforts and donations. By making use of the corporate gift matching program offered by your place of work, your gift to Water First can be doubled at no additional cost to you.  

Conditions and criteria for gift matching vary by employer, and some companies offer a payroll deduction plan. For more information or if you are not sure if Water First qualifies for your company’s gift matching program, contact us at donorservices@waterfirst.ngo and we’ll be glad to send information about our mission and programs.

Gift of Stocks or Securities

Donating securities is a convenient way to give that offers favourable tax benefits for donors. As returns on investments increase over time, those capital gains are taxable. You can reduce the financial impact of this by donating your security directly to a registered charitable organization as they are not required to pay a capital gains tax.

Gift in Will or Bequest

There are many ways to leave a legacy to support the work and mission of Water First.

To learn more about making a planned gift or bequest, please contact us at donorservices@waterfirst.ngo

Get Involved

Fundraise for Water First

Whether you’re bringing people together to honour a loved one, collecting from your fellow book club members, or taking on a personal challenge — you can be a part of helping Indigenous communities access safe, clean water.

We have created tools and resources to help you, whether you choose to fundraise online or locally.

Partnership Opportunities

We are interested in partnering with like-minded organizations that care about clean drinking water, restoring the health of waterways and inspiring Indigenous youth as the next generation of water stewards in Indigenous communities.

Resources to Learn More

We are curating a list of resources to help develop a greater understanding of the water challenges facing many Indigenous communities in Canada and to provide more context for the work that we do.

Speak to Ami Gopal, our Director of Development, at ami.gopal@waterfirst.ngo or 1 (800) 970-8467 ext. 106 for other ways to support sustainable water systems in Indigenous communities.

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter to stay up to date with our programs and how we are making a real difference, one community at a time.

Alumni graduate Amy Waboose working in her community drinking water treatment plant.