KEEP COMMUNITIES FLOWING GRANT PROGRAM

The American Water Charitable Foundation is an independent, 501(c)(3) private foundation, supported by the shareholders of American Water. The Foundation’s Board of Trustees, composed of officers and leaders of American Water or its subsidiaries, review Foundation programs, guidelines, and distribution of funds.

American Water Charitable Foundation Board of Trustees
David Bowler - EVP and Chief Financial Officer
Maureen Duffy - EVP, Communications and External Affairs
Rebecca Losli - President, Illinois American Water
Matt Prine - VP, Chief Customer Officer
Lori Sutton - EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer
Sean Wheatley - President, Military Services Group
Scott Wyman - President, West Virginia American Water

American Water Charitable Foundation Officers
President - Carrie Williams, Principal, Corporate and Foundation Relations
Treasurer - Ann Weaver, Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis
Assistant Treasurer - Katherine Gillen, Senior Manager, Treasury - Strategic Programs
Secretary and Legal Advisor to the Board - Justin Ettelson, Director, SEC and Corporate Counsel

American Water Charitable Foundation Staff Support
Julie Scharle – Matching Gift and Grant Program Specialist
Joseph Rodriguez - Grant Program Specialist
Investment Committee
Employee Grant Review Committee

This invitation-only grant program is an opportunity for American Water corporate and state-based executive leadership to identify and bring forth applicants for consideration. The American Water Charitable Foundation will provide each applicant with an invitation and link to apply. We do not accept solicitations.

The American Water Charitable Foundation supports three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities.

Organization must either operate within, or directly benefit, an American Water service territory.

Types of organizations generally eligible to apply include:

• Organizations recognized by the IRS as public charities under Section 501(c)(3).
• K-12 public schools, colleges and universities in the United States described in IRC Code 170(c)(1).

Eligibility Requirements
Organizations must:

1. Be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity.
2. Have an IRS-assigned primary purpose other than religion (NTEE Code).
3. Be required to file an annual IRS nonprofit information return (Form 990).

Program Conditions
Organizations seeking financial support from the American Water Charitable Foundation may be asked to verify that their programs and services are offered without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance.

An organization's eligibility for funding and all grant decisions are subject to the sole discretion of the American Water Charitable Foundation (AWCF) and its Board of Trustees. AWCF reserves the right to interpret, apply, amend, suspend, or discontinue these guidelines at any time without prior notice; to decline any grant request under any of its programs for any reason or no reason at all; and to deny grants to organizations or programs that, in its judgment, promote, advocate, or support threats, intimidation, violence, or divisive activities.

Eligible organizations may still have requests that are ineligible for funding. Please review the FAQs below for additional restrictions related to American Water business development activities and workforce training programs.

Apply online through the American Water Charitable Foundation’s online Benevity Grants system. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Water and Environment
Grant Cycle: February 2 – March 6
Grant Decisions: by April 30

Workforce Readiness and STEM Education
Invitation-only through June 30, 2026.

Due to the volume of grant applications received, each application is evaluated on a competitive basis as we strive to fund programs with a strong impact and measurable outcomes within our funding priorities. Applications are reviewed by Foundation staff and/or an employee grant-review committee for recommendation to the Board of Trustees.

The selection criteria presented below is provided to inform the grant applicant of the values held by the Foundation and their relative importance. However, the Foundation reserves the right to judge the merits of each application and the amount of funding, if any, based not only the selection criteria, but available funding, current objectives, experience and history, and other tangible and intangible criteria. The following is taken into consideration when reviewing an application:

1. Community Impact – how well target audience/population is defined, with demonstrated positive impact
2. Project Scope – how well proposal explains scope, steps, methods and intended results
3. Project Feasibility – resources and timeline are realistic and congruent with project description and outcomes
4. Project Sustainability – evidence the project can be sustained locally beyond grant period
5. Project Budget – detailed and achievable budget with sound use of funds, with proof of funding secured above grant
6. Measurable Impact – defined metrics to measure impact, including how data will be obtained and success defined
7. Community Presence – applicant has existing, or ability to build, relationships within community, including opportunity for American Water to be involved, volunteer and partner

To focus our giving, there are projects and organizations we don’t fund. Please review the following list in its entirety before you apply for a grant. This is not an exhaustive list and other restrictions may apply:

1. Organizations not registered as a 501(c)(3) public charity
2. Government entities including townships, municipalities, cities
3. Donations of water or water-related services
4. Donations to connect water service, pipeline, or water main extension projects
5. Customer assistance grants to help pay water bill. Click here to learn about Customer Assistance Programs available in your state.
6. Donations to individuals or GoFundMe campaigns
7. Scholarships and tuition
8. Sponsorships and fundraising events (banquets, galas, races, golf tournaments, etc.).
9. Houses of worship, including churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and comparable congregations
10. K-12 schools that require religious instruction as part of their general education requirements. This same restriction is applied to colleges and universities that require any type of Theology, Faith or Religious courses to meet core curriculum graduation requirements.
11. Organizations whose primary purpose is religious worship, religious instruction, proselytizing, clergy support, faith-formation programs, or doctrinal advancement.
12. Political causes, candidates, campaigns, PACs, and lobbying expenses
13. Private 501(c)(3) foundations

As a private foundation established to support charitable causes in the communities served by American Water Works Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("American Water"), the American Water Charitable Foundation (“AWCF”) is subject to IRS regulations that prohibit private foundations from advancing the business interests or business ventures of the companies with which they are associated. Grants that could be viewed as influencing business opportunities, proposals, contracts, or other business development activities with American Water cannot be funded. Requests of this nature may be more appropriately directed to American Water for potential business consideration.

As a private foundation established to support charitable causes in the communities served by American Water Works Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("American Water"), the American Water Charitable Foundation (“AWCF”)is subject to IRS regulations that prohibit private foundations from paying for recruitment expenses or workforce training that a company would otherwise be responsible for funding. Grants that could be viewed as recruiting, training, certifying, or otherwise preparing individuals for employment with American Water cannot be funded. Requests of this nature may be more appropriately directed to American Water for potential business consideration.

The amount should be based on your budget. As our Foundation has limited resources to address many needs in the communities we serve, a request for an amount that is not feasible may eliminate your project from consideration.

Typically, an organization will only receive one grant per calendar year.

Our preference is to support a particular program or project.

As a longstanding partner who benefits from American Water’s annual workplace giving campaign, Water For People is excluded from applying for additional funds.

Organizations receiving grants are encouraged to share news of their grant award and to acknowledge the American Water Charitable Foundation as appropriate on their website, social media, and printed materials.

Press Release Boilerplates
About American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water, focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested over $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Social Media

• Tag the American Water Charitable Foundation when announcing your grant: @AmericanWater Charitable Foundation
• Use the following hashtag when sharing news about your grant: #KeepCommunitiesFlowing #AWCF
• Engage with the American Water Charitable Foundation on:
  • Facebook: @weareamericanwater
  • Instagram: @wekeeplifeflowing
  • X: @amwater
  • LinkedIn

Please contact awcf@amwater.com for guidance as needed, media quotes and logo approval.

The site is administered by our grant service provider, Benevity. Benevity is a software company that powers corporate giving, volunteering, and grant-making solutions for 750+ of the world’s most purpose-driven brands.

A combined total of $1 million was awarded to 59 organizations in 11 states, supporting communities served by American Water.

A combined total of $825,000 was awarded to 31 organizations nationwide, supporting communities served by American Water.

A combined total of $1.5 million was awarded to 79 organizations in 12 states, supporting communities served by American Water.

A combined total of more than $750,000 was awarded to 32 organizations nationwide, supporting communities served by American Water.

A combined total of $1.5 million was awarded to 79 organizations in 12 states, supporting communities served by American Water.