OVERVIEW
Gallons of Change is a fundraising program designed for schools and organizations to raise money for clean drinking water. Simply encourage students to collect coins for wells in India! Every gallon of change raised provides a better future for children. Through Gallons of Change, students work as individuals or teams to make a real difference.
PILOT RELAUNCH
We are excited to relaunch our Gallons of Change Pilot Program! We first unveiled Gallons of Change in three schools in January of 2020. While only one school was able to complete their Gallons of Change project before the pandemic, that one school raised enough to fund a deep-water well in India! Now, we’re working closely with area schools to raise awareness and funds, as we refine this program – and we need your help!
INSPIRATION
When our founder’s daughter read Linda Sue Park's "A Long Walk to Water" in middle school, her heart ached. From her father’s charitable work, she already knew that most surface water was polluted and unsafe, and that millions of people survive without access to clean drinking water. But she also learned that girls and boys as young as 8 years old have the daily duty of walking several miles to get water for their families, sometimes three or four times a day, meaning these children can’t go to school. She wanted to be part of the solution. And we knew she wasn’t alone.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Let us know you want to help! E-mail us at info@gallonsofchange.org and we will send you information you can submit to your district leadership. Once your project is approved, we’ll send you a start-up kit – a poster, 2 milk jug stickers, a digital flyer that can be distributed via email, and a PowerPoint presentation. Then simply organize your campaign :
- Set up your customized parameters – duration, schedule, volunteers, goals, etc.
- Procure a table and a clean milk jug (or two).
- Get creative and have fun with it – incorporate Gallons of Change into a unit study, hold a classroom competition, collect soda cans to return for the deposit, have clean vs. dirty drinking water displayed, and even hold an assembly.
- Launch!
- After your fundraiser ends, total your change, and send in the funds. Checks can be made out to Gallons of Change.
Once funds are received, the well-drilling process will begin! When the well is completed, Fresh Water Friends will send you photos of the well and the men, women, and children whose lives have been transformed.
FAQs
Q: How much does a well cost?
A: $1,500-$3,000 depending on the type of well, location, and complexity of design and installation
Q: If I reach out, does that mean I commit to a certain amount?
A: No! Reaching out to us to say you’re interested doesn’t commit you to anything!
Q: How quickly will our well be installed?
A: A well is typically installed and available to the public within three months of funds being received.
Q: Is this only an option for students?
A: No! This project has been specifically developed to be easily implementable by children or adults, whether they be in schools, churches, scouting troops, or other civic organizations. Anyone can participate, anytime!
Q: Is there a minimum donation amount?
A: No! All Gallons of Change donations will be pooled, so even if your organization doesn’t raise enough to cover the entire cost of a well, you’ll still contribute toward a well.
Q: Can people give online?
A: Always! Plus, we’ll provide your fundraiser with a unique QR code to make it extra easy.
Q: Can I make a donation using a check?
A: Sure! Checks made out to Gallons of Change are tax-deductible. Make sure to write your school or organization’s name in the memo line so it can be counted toward your school’s total.
Q: Who has access to the well?
A: The water is freely available to all inhabitants of the village, regardless of race, religion, gender, creed, or any other discriminating factor.
Q: Is Fresh Water Friends tax-deductible?
A: Yes! Fresh Water Friends is a not-for-profit 501c(3) organization.
