Empowering sustainable change in rural India.
Our core mission is to advance and finance the impactful programmes of our partner organisation, the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR), headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Our Objective
Innovation rooted in water & climate.
We enlighten partners about innovative development programmes centred on water conservation and climate change adaptation in India — promoting the prudent utilisation of land, water, vegetation, animals and human resources.
What we do
A charitable 501(c)(3) advancing programs that regenerate India's drylands.
Incorporated in the State of Illinois, our founders are American professionals and concerned citizens who share a passion for development programs that regenerate and conserve natural resources in dry, drought-prone, and poverty-stricken regions.
- Assist Village Governance — panchayats and NGO bodies — to manage natural resources for sustainable economic development.
- Enhance water security, foster job creation, sustain livelihoods, empower women and establish microfinance funds.
- Implement strategies for climate change mitigation, adaptation, emissions reduction and small-scale clean energy.
Where we work
Six interconnected pillars of rural transformation
Water Security
Livelihoods
Climate Action
Women Empowerment
Health & Nutrition
Microfinance
"WOTR transforms the rural landscape of India — turning degraded ecosystems into vibrant hubs of prosperity."
Unlocking Prosperity
A three-pronged approach
WOTR delivers measurable transformation through three complementary strategies. Click each to explore.
Implementation
Direct delivery of watershed development, climate adaptation and livelihoods programmes in vulnerable villages across India.
Our Journey
From a small US charity to scaling impact across India
- 2009
Founded as American Friends of WOTR
Incorporated as a US 501(c)(3) in Illinois by professionals committed to rural India.
- 2013
First major climate project
Funded the Kumbharwadi climate adaptation programme in Maharashtra.
- 2016
Nutrition & education in MP
Extended into Madhya Pradesh with IDS Chicago across tribal villages.
- 2020
Rebranded as Friends of WOTR
Expanded board, deepened academic partnership with DePaul University.
- Today
4.8M+ lives reached
Scaling impact across India's drought-prone regions with WOTR.
Independently monitored. Rigorously assessed.
Friends of WOTR collaborates with faculty and students at the School of Public Service, DePaul University, Chicago to periodically monitor and assess every program we fund — including site visits to ensure efficacy.
For comments, questions, or additional information, email contact@friendsofwotr.org.