Ryan’s Well is a 5-star charity with Good demonstrated impact. It has strong disclosure, with an A grade for results reporting. Its funding reserves are within Ci’s reasonable range and can cover just under one year of annual program costs. For every dollar donated to Ryan’s Well, 80 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

A Charity Intelligence 2025 Top 100 Rated Charity.

Ryan’s Well Foundation (founded in 2001) works with local partners to improve access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. Global water insecurity remains significant: the charity reports that 785 million people lack access to clean, safe drinking water, over 2 billion people lack improved sanitation, and contaminated water contributes to approximately 485,000 deaths each year. In addition, women and girls spend about 200 million hours every day collecting water, often at the expense of education and other opportunities.

The charity focuses its work in Ghana, Northern Uganda, and Western Uganda through two core programs: Build and Educate. In F2025, Ryan’s Well spent $897k on its programs.

Build represented 92% ($827k) of total program spending in F2025. This program supports the construction of sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure in partnership with local communities. In F2025, Ryan’s Well completed 67 water projects and one sanitation project, including deep wells, protected springs, and rainwater harvesting systems. These projects were distributed across Ghana (25), Northern Uganda (13), and Western Uganda (30, including the sanitation project), and collectively provided 109,704 people with access to safe water and improved sanitation.

Educate represented 8% ($71k) of program spending in F2025. Through school and community presentations, the program raises awareness about global water challenges and encourages youth engagement and action. In F2025, Ryan’s Well delivered 53 presentations across 11 countries, reaching 26,115 people.

Ryan’s Well Foundation’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, which is a best practice. This means its expenses are clearly defined between program, administrative, and fundraising categories.

Ryan’s Well had total revenues of $920k in F2025. It received $896k in donations, equal to 97% of revenue, and $25k in investment income.

The charity spent $897k on its programs, which is 97% of its revenue. Ryan’s Well recorded a deficit of $155k, meaning it drew on its reserves to fund its operations.

Administrative costs were $108k, representing 12% of revenue (excluding investment income). Ryan’s Well spent $70k on fundraising, equal to 8% of donations. Total overhead spending was 20%. For every dollar donated to Ryan’s Well Foundation, 80 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

The charity held $832k in reserve funds (cash and investments) in F2025. These reserves can cover 11 months of annual program costs, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

This is a charity update that has been sent to Ryan’s Well Foundation by Neela Jalilian on June 23, 2026. 

email: info@ryanswell.ca