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Scott Harrison is the founder and CEO of charity: water, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the global water crisis. A former New York City nightclub promoter, he transitioned to humanitarian work after volunteering as a photojournalist in Liberia and has since raised over $1 billion for clean water projects.
Scott Harrison is the founder and CEO of charity: water, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the global water crisis. [3][4][5] He transitioned to humanitarian work after a decade as a prominent New York City nightclub promoter. [3][4][5] This shift followed a transformative period volunteering as a photojournalist in Liberia. Since founding charity: water in 2006, Harrison has raised over $1 billion to fund more than 186,000 water projects across 29 countries. His leadership has provided clean water access to over 20 million people. [1][3][5][6] He is recognized for pioneering the 100% model, where all public donations directly fund water projects while overhead is covered by a private donor group known as The Well. In 2025, he launched the Experience Lab in Nashville, an immersive storytelling space using virtual reality to connect donors with the global water crisis. Harrison is the author of the New York Times bestseller Thirst and received the 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award.
Scott Harrison is the founder and CEO of charity: water, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Born on September 7, 1975, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Harrison grew up in New Jersey before moving to New York City to attend New York University. He graduated with a degree in communications and spent the following decade working as a prominent nightclub promoter in Manhattan. During this period, he organized events for major brands including MTV, VH1, Bacardi, and Elle.
In 2004, Harrison sought a radical change in his life and career. He left the nightlife industry to volunteer as a photojournalist for Mercy Ships, a humanitarian organization operating hospital ships. While serving in Liberia and Benin, he witnessed the devastating effects of the global water crisis firsthand. This experience inspired him to return to New York City and establish charity: water in 2006.
Harrison introduced an innovative 100% Model for the organization. Under this framework, every penny of public donations goes directly to funding water projects. [1][2][7][17] Operating costs are covered by a separate group of private donors known as The Well. [1] This model emphasizes radical transparency by providing donors with GPS coordinates and photos of the specific projects they fund. [8]
By 2026, charity: water has raised over $1 billion and funded more than 209,000 water projects across 29 countries. These initiatives have provided clean water access to more than 21 million people. [2][8] In 2025, Harrison expanded the organization's storytelling efforts by opening the Experience Lab in Franklin, Tennessee. [1][9] This immersive space uses virtual reality and sensory exhibits to educate visitors about the daily challenges faced by those without clean water.
Harrison is the author of the New York Times bestseller Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World. His leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award. [5][10] He has also been recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and featured on lists such as Fortune's 40 Under 40 and Forbes' Impact 30. [11] Harrison currently resides in Nashville with his wife, Viktoria, and their three children.
Scott Harrison is committed to ending the global water crisis by providing clean and safe drinking water to every person on Earth. He views the crisis as a solvable problem that requires radical transparency and innovative fundraising rather than new technology. His strategic focus includes scaling the organization to serve 100 million people through sustainable growth models like The Spring monthly giving community. Harrison maintains a strict 100% model where all public donations directly fund water projects while private donors cover operating costs. [12][13] He believes clean water is a foundational human right that unlocks progress in health, education, and economic opportunity. Once the water crisis is resolved, he envisions applying his community's collective resources to address other global challenges.
Scott Harrison has received significant institutional recognition for his leadership in social entrepreneurship and humanitarian efforts. [14] The King Center honored him with the 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award, also known as the Salute to Greatness Humanitarian Award. [15] He is a New York Times bestselling author for his memoir, Thirst, which details his transition from the nightlife industry to global philanthropy. Harrison was appointed as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. [16] Fortune recognized him on its 40 Under 40 list, and Forbes included him in its Impact 30 ranking of top social entrepreneurs. [15] Fast Company ranked him tenth on its list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business. [15][16] In 2020, he delivered the C. Ashton Newhall Endowed Lecture at Elon University. Under his leadership, charity: water received a five million dollar Global Impact Award from Google to implement remote sensor technology for water projects. [2] His work has also earned public praise from figures such as President Barack Obama and Michael Bloomberg.
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMOt5y6fGXg | Youtube
5. Scott Harrison's Story | Charitywater
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiVcyKQcpsg | Youtube
7. Scott Harrison Speaker - Charity: Water | Aurumbureau
8. charity: water | Charitywater
9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2ylSqHqocA | Youtube
10. Scott Harrison Speaking Engagements, Schedule, & Fee | Wsb
11. Scott Harrison | Chartwellspeakers
12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YzN7pv3DzE | Youtube
13. An interview with Scott Harrison, founder of charity: water | Blacktomato
14. Scott Harrison's Story | Charitywater
15. Scott Harrison – WWA Agency | Wwaagency
16. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thirst-scott-harrison/1128572579 | Barnesandnoble
18. Scott Harrison (charity founder) | Wikipedia
19. Scott Harrison | Scaling to $100 Million By Reinventing Philanthropy | Lifestyleinvestor
