Illinois American Water – Hydration Station Grant Program (2026)
Bottle-Filling Stations Supporting Public Access to Safe Tap Water in Illinois American Water Communities
Illinois American Water, in collaboration with the American Water Charitable Foundation, is accepting applications for its Hydration Station Grant Program. This program helps eligible community organizations and educational institutions expand access to safe, reliable tap water by awarding bottle-filling stations for public use.
Organization: Illinois American Water
Support Type: In-kind grant / bottle-filling stations
Geographic Focus: Illinois American Water service territory
Deadline: September 4, 2026
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About the Funder
Illinois American Water provides water and wastewater services across Illinois and supports community-based initiatives that promote environmental stewardship, public health, and access to safe water. Through its collaboration with the American Water Charitable Foundation, Illinois American Water invests in projects that strengthen communities and encourage sustainable habits.
The Hydration Station Grant Program reflects the company’s commitment to reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottles while helping residents access tap water in public and community-serving spaces.
What This Program Supports
The Hydration Station Grant Program provides bottle-filling stations to eligible organizations located within Illinois American Water’s service territory.
Funded hydration stations are intended to:
Expand access to safe, reliable tap water
Encourage use of reusable water bottles
Support environmental sustainability by reducing bottled water use
Promote healthy hydration habits
Provide public access to drinking water in schools, campuses, nonprofit facilities, and community-serving locations
Eligible Support Types
Bottle-filling stations
Hydration infrastructure for publicly accessible spaces
Projects that support reusable bottle use and access to tap water
Eligibility & Preferences
Eligible applicants include:
501(c)(3) public charities registered with the IRS that provide public access to the bottle-filling station
K-12 public schools
Colleges and universities
Applicants must be located within Illinois American Water’s service territory.
The program is best suited for organizations and institutions that can install and maintain a hydration station in a location accessible to students, community members, program participants, or the general public.
Ineligible Requests
The American Water Charitable Foundation does not generally fund:
Individuals
Government entities, including townships and municipalities
Faith-based and religious organizations, including churches, synagogues, mosques, and organizations that automatically qualify for 501(c)(3) status as a church
Other organizations or projects outside the foundation’s funding criteria
Exceptions to public charity status may occur on a limited basis.
Funding Amounts
This is an in-kind grant program. Selected applicants will receive bottle-filling stations rather than traditional cash grants. Illinois American Water does not specify the number of stations to be awarded or a standard dollar value for each award.
Timeline & Review
📅 Application Deadline: September 4, 2026
📅 Review Period: Not specified
📅 Award Notification: Not specified
Application / Request Process
Organizations should apply through the Hydration Station Grant Program application process and ensure they meet the eligibility requirements before submitting.
For more information, applicants may contact:
Anna Kubas
Anna.Kubas@amwater.com
Apply / Learn More:
➡️ Hydration Station Grant Program
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity is a strong fit for organizations that:
Are located within Illinois American Water’s service territory
Serve students, families, community members, or the general public
Want to increase access to tap water in a public or community-serving space
Are seeking sustainability-focused support rather than a cash grant
Can support reusable bottle use and reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles
The Hydration Station Grant Program is especially well aligned with schools, colleges, universities, and public-facing nonprofits that want to promote healthy hydration, environmental stewardship, and practical access to safe drinking water.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Review Type: Annual / deadline-based
Support Type: In-kind hydration station grant
Deadline: September 4, 2026
Best Suited For: Illinois nonprofits, K-12 public schools, colleges, and universities with publicly accessible spaces in Illinois American Water’s service territory
