How can my company help provide clean water for Liberia?

The Last Well has partnered with Living Water International. All checks should be made payable to The Last Well with a memo description for supporting climb, climber or event. Please see the attached sponsorship form describing different contribution levels. 

To which organization should contributions be made?

Checks should be made out to The Last Well with climber, climb or event name written in the memo line. The memo line is very important in order to ensure all funds collected for The Last Well are used and attached to the proper climber, climb or event.

How will my company’s contribution be recognized?

The Last Well will recognize your company’s contribution in several different ways according to the different contribution levels described in the attached pledge form. Your corporation has the opportunity to gain amazing publicity:

  1. Prominent mention on The Last Well’s website, wwww.thelastwell.org
  2. Your corporation’s logo prominently displayed on future summit jackets of the The Last Well’s international and U.S.A expeditions
  3. Prominent mention within the documentary video planned for The Last Well via BlueFishTV.

BluefishTV (www.bluefishtv.com) a Christian video production company has agreed to document the full scope of The Last Well. This includes sending a videographer on each expedition and/or fund raising effort. Upon completion of The Last Wellproject BluefishTV will produce a full video documentary of The Last Well.

What is The Last Well? How can I learn more about them?

The Last Well is a partner organization of Living Water International. Our primary focus is to provide clean water to an entire nation, border-to-border in the name of Jesus. We have selected the entire African nation of Liberia and our goal is to complete the project in the next five years. The Last Well was a vision of Todd Phillips, teaching pastor of McLean Bible Church’s Frontlineyoung adult ministry. 

To learn more about The Last Well and the profiles of the Mt. Elbrus fundraising expedition members visit our website at www.thelastwell.com.

Who is Living Water International and why did The Last Well partner with them?

Living Water International Mission Statement: LWI exists to demonstrate the love of God by providing desperately needed clean water and medical attention, along with the “living water” of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfies the deepest thirst. 

Living Water International has provided clean, safe water for an estimated 7 million people in 25 countries worldwide since its inception in 1990. The faith-based charity is a well-managed organization, annually audited, fully registered with the IRS, and has received a 4-star accountability rating from Charity Navigator. Living Water International is USAID’s most-trusted water contractor and has recently been awarded exclusive rights to all water contracts in Kenya. Living Water International was selected as a partner by The Last Well because of it’s faith-based framework, it’s exceptional management, and it’s proven history of providing clean water around the world.

Why was Liberia chosen? Is providing clean water in the next five (5) years for all of Liberia an achievable goal?

  • Location: It’s on the continent of Africa – We want to reach the neediest of the needy first. The need is so great in Africa and we want to stop the death and suffering there now in Christ’s name.
  • Publicity Opportunities: Africa is in the news – Big business, governments, Hollywood, and NGO’s are focused on Africa. We believe that God will leverage what He will accomplish in Liberia to bring clean water to other nations in great need.
  • Ending Date: With God’s direction and involvement, clean water can be provided to all of Liberia in less than five years! As we have shared this vision with young adults around America, they all say that they want to be a part of something that shows God’s grandeur and His ability to accomplish a task that is bigger than men can accomplish on their own.
  • Geography: Liberia is a coastal country with very few topographical and geographical obstacles or limitations. In other words, the structure of the ground is such that we can dig wells with relatively few limitations. This allows us to move quickly and maximize our efforts.

    • Politics: Liberia, although the country has many political challenges, affords us a relatively calm political climate. Political upheaval creates many of the challenges to providing clean water to other African countries.

  • Scope: Finally, Liberia’s clean water problem is of an appropriate scope for The Last Well. Living Water International estimates that, in total, US $8-20 million will have to be raised to provide clean water for the entire country. Ambitious? Yes, but a clear, achievable goal through the generosity of corporate donor partners.

Is Living Water International the only organization targeting Liberia?

No, Living Water International is not the only organization targeting Liberia. However, Living Water International has had some of the most success in bring clean water in the name of Jesus Christ to the people of Africa.

Where does my donation go? How much of my donation will reach Liberia?

100% of all donations go directly to Living Water International (LWI), who will direct those funds to building and repairing wells in Liberia. As with all LWI projects, 80% of these funds will be used in the actual construction of wells and the remainder used for administrative expenses associated with running an international charity. No part of your donation will go towards the expenses associated with climbing Mt. Elbrus. Each climber is independently contributing more than $5,000 personally to cover expedition expenses.

Is my donation tax deductible?

The Last Well, Inc. was officially formed as a non-stock corporation with the State of Virginia on December 17, 2008.  The Last Well applied for non-profit status with the IRS and is awaiting determination of this status. Once the determination is made donations made during the determination period will be tax-deductible for tax reporting reasons. Updates will be posted on this page. Check back often.

The initial board for The Last Well, Inc. is Todd Phillips, Thomas Heffernan, Jennifer Banman, Jim Printz, and Bud Moeller. The initial board will serve for a one year term, at which time new board members will be elected.  The board first met in January 2009 to discuss organizational structure and bylaws for the organization as well as approve its official mission statement. We are completing and submitting IRS form 1023 “Application for Recognition of Exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code”.

While the company has been formed as a not for profit on the State level, it will not be officially recognized as one until this application is completed and approved by the IRS.  It is estimated that this process will take 3-6 months.  While we wait for official approval, The Last Well can still raise money under a not for profit “applied for” status.  The IRS will allow The Last Well, when approved, to retroactively count any donations as tax deductible charitable donations for up to a year before the approval.  This is an exciting step for The Last Well as we can now directly track [donations] and sign memorandums of understandings with partner organizations to ensure that raised funds go directly to solving the clean water crisis, border-to-border, for the entire nation of Liberia.

How much does it cost to drill a well? How many people will be helped?

On average, it costs US $10,000 to drill a new well and US $5,000 to refurbish an existing well. One well typically serves 1,500 people.

How can I stay connected with The Last Well and Living Water International?

Please visit The Last Well at www.thelastwell.org and Living Water International at www.water.cc. Sign up to receive The Last Well’s monthly newsletter on our site. You may also sign up to receive Living Water International’s quarterly newsletter entitled “The Pipeline” which will highlight key milestones within The Last Well. 

Who will actually be doing the work of building and refurbishing wells?

Employees and contractors of Living Water International will be hired and trained locally within Liberia to do the actual work.