Our Background
A Small Project, A Big Idea
When sisters Katherine and Isabelle Adams were 5 and 8 years old, they learned that millions of people did not have access to clean drinking water. This knowledge had a profound impact on them, and they decided they wanted to make a difference. They began making handcrafted origami ornaments and exchanging them for donations on November 3, 2011, to help build a water well for a community in Ethiopia.
Their original goal was to raise at least $500. To date, with the help of volunteers and donors, over $4M has been raised to fund over 400 water projects in 20 countries. Project countries include Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Liberia, India, Mexico, Uganda, Peru, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Guatemala, Sierra Leone, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Zambia, El Salvador, Nigeria, and the United States.
What We Do
- •Provide access to clean water and sanitation for thirsty communities
- •Educate others about the world water crisis
- •Build communities by connecting individuals locally and globally through creative art forms
- •Emphasize character building through living a meaningful and purposeful life
- •Equip and develop servant leaders
- •Empower volunteers of all ages to make a difference
- •Encourage an entrepreneurial spirit
- •Inspire others to lead a life of generosity and service to others
Clean Water: Saves Lives
Due to unsafe water and poor sanitation conditions in much of the developing world, millions of people drink water that could kill them. Diarrhea caused by unclean water is one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of five, taking the lives of more children than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined.
Please help us bring clean water to the thirsty worldwide through the implementation of water projects in the most vulnerable communities. Water and sanitation solutions provide improved health for entire communities.
Our Journey
Starbucks Opening
2011 – 2012
Paper for Water began November 3, 2011 when Isabelle and Katherine Adams first exchanged origami for donations to fund a water well in Ethiopia.
Good Morning Texas
2012 – 2013
Paper for Water was featured for the first time on local television, spreading the word of our mission beyond the Dallas metroplex.
Inspired to Continue
2013 – 2014
Paper for Water visited some of its 23 water projects in India and witnessed the real impact clean water has on a community.
Halo Effect
2014 – 2015
Nickelodeon's Halo Effect brought national attention to the domestic water crisis in New Mexico and energized people to join Paper for Water's mission as volunteers and donors.
Gift of Water
2015 – 2016
Paper for Water partnered with Kleenex and DigDeep to surprise the Delgarito family with clean water on the Navajo Nation, and their joy was shared with thousands on social media.
Around the World
2016 – 2017
Paper for Water traveled around the world, visited dozens of water projects and connected to the geographical, environmental, and cultural challenges related to the water crisis.
Fantasy Becomes Reality
2017 – 2018
Paper for Water's ornaments were featured in Neiman Marcus' renowned Fantasy Gift catalog, extending the organization's profile and reach around the world.
Fold to Flight
2018 – 2019
Paper for Water created an incredible installation suspended above the Galleria Dallas' Ice Rink comprised of 4,000 origami butterflies which required 1,000 volunteer hours.
Good Morning America
2019 – 2020
From Good Morning Texas in 2012 to Good Morning America in 2019, Paper for Water stepped into the national news spotlight.
Book Release
2021
“One Piece of Paper at a Time” — celebrating Paper for Water's first ten years. Click Here to Order
The Kelly Clarkson Show
2022
Paper for Water was featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2022, sharing our origami-for-clean-water mission with a national daytime audience.
Gingersnap Christmas
2024
Paper for Water decorated the set for the feature film Gingersnap Christmas, bringing handfolded origami to the big screen and spreading our mission to a wider audience.
Folding the Future & Freedom to Play
2025 – 2026
Paper for Water's newest large-scale installations over the Galleria Dallas Ice Rink raises funds to build a better future and a world in which children can play rather than living in survival.
Media Recognition
Media highlights include Nickelodeon's HALO Effect, The Gift of Water Kleenex commercial, Martha Stewart Living Gifts that Give list, Good Morning America, The Good News Network, News Nation Now, CNN Impact Your World, Texas Country Reporter, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Disney Holiday Special, and the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog as a Fantasy Gift.
Sound and Responsible Financial Policies
We are committed to full financial transparency. Learn how your donations are used, view our financial disclosures, and read our governance policies on our transparency page.
View our Financial Transparency & Disclosures →