Scott Harrison and the Story of charity: water

From Nightclub Promoter to Global Lifesaver: The Scott Harrison Story

What happens when a high-flying party promoter walks away from his lavish lifestyle and decides to dedicate his life to helping others? You get Scott Harrison—the unlikely founder of charity: water, one of the most transparent and impactful nonprofits of the 21st century.

Once immersed in New York City's nightlife, Harrison now leads a global movement to bring clean drinking water to every person on Earth. His story is proof that radical transformation is possible—and that business principles can drive massive humanitarian change.

Who Is Scott Harrison?

Scott Harrison is the founder and CEO of charity: water, a nonprofit organization committed to solving the water crisis by bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. But before becoming a humanitarian, Harrison was a nightclub promoter living a fast-paced life fueled by money, models, and endless parties.

By his mid-20s, he had everything he thought he wanted—until he realized how empty his life felt. In 2004, seeking meaning, he quit everything and volunteered as a photojournalist aboard a medical ship in West Africa. The experience opened his eyes to extreme poverty—and the devastating effects of dirty water on health, education, and opportunity.

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The Birth of charity: water

In 2006, Harrison returned to New York and launched charity: water from a small apartment. His mission: solve the global water crisis and reinvent charity in the process.

What made charity: water revolutionary wasn’t just its cause—it was how it operated:

100% Model: Every public donation goes directly to water projects. Overhead costs are funded separately by private donors.
Proof and Transparency: Every project is mapped with GPS coordinates and photos so donors can see exactly where their money goes.
Brand Power: Harrison used storytelling, sleek design, and social media to build a movement that feels more like a modern startup than a charity.

Global Impact and Achievements

As of 2025, charity: water has:

Funded over 135,000 water projects
Served 17.4 million people in 29 countries
Raised over $700 million

The organization’s work includes digging wells, building rainwater harvesting systems, and installing purification technologies—all tailored to local needs and geography.

Harrison also penned a bestselling memoir, “Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World,” which further cemented his place as a visionary in social entrepreneurship.

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A Business Mindset for a Humanitarian Mission

Harrison’s success comes from treating charity: water like a startup:

He built a world-class team with talent from companies like Apple, Google, and Nike.
He created viral campaigns and partnerships with influencers and major brands.
He prioritized impact measurement and innovation, constantly refining how projects are implemented and tracked.

This modern, business-driven model is now taught at Harvard and Stanford and has influenced an entire generation of social enterprises.

Conclusion

Scott Harrison transformed personal emptiness into global purpose. In doing so, he changed how we think about giving—making it transparent, joyful, and effective. His story is not just one of redemption but of reinventing charity for the digital age. From nightclubs to clean water, Scott Harrison has proved that with vision and heart, one person really can change the world.