Hydration Station Grant Program

Illinois American Water, in collaboration with the American Water Charitable Foundation, has launched the Hydration Station Grant Program to support environmental stewardship and enhance community wellbeing. The program is designed to provide bottle filling stations to eligible organizations within Illinois American Water’s service area. The goal is to improve access to safe, reliable tap water for hydration, encouraging the use of reusable water bottles and promoting sustainable water use practices. This grant initiative targets community-based organizations, especially those classified as 501(c)(3) public charities and educational institutions such as public K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. These organizations must offer public access to the awarded hydration stations. The program is not open to individuals or government entities, including townships or municipalities. It also excludes faith-based and religious organizations such as churches, mosques, and synagogues unless exceptional conditions apply. The program may consider limited exceptions to the 501(c)(3) public charity requirement under specific circumstances. The application deadline for the 2025 cycle is June 20, 2025. Grants awarded will be in the form of hydration station units, rather than direct monetary disbursements. The funding and selection process is managed by the American Water Charitable Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) private foundation, with advice and recommendations from personnel of American Water and its state subsidiaries, or directly by a subsidiary of American Water. The program's primary intention is to support health and sustainability efforts by encouraging communities to adopt environmentally friendly hydration practices. By providing easily accessible refill stations, the grant aims to foster better hydration habits and reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles. Applicants are encouraged to ensure their projects align with these environmental and public health objectives. Interested organizations must apply by the stated deadline and ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. For further details or to seek clarification, applicants are directed to contact Anna Kubas via email at Anna.Kubas@amwater.com. This contact serves as the primary point of communication for inquiries related to the grant.