Fiscal Year 2025 Food & Water Watch/Action Annual Report MISSION Our food, water, and climate are under constant assault by corporations who put profit over the survival of humanity. They have seized control of the very institutions that were built to protect us. We mobilize people to reclaim their political power, hold our elected officials accountable, and resist corporate control — ensuring we all have the essential resources we need to thrive. This is a fight we must win because this planet is the only one we get.
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
2024/2025 ANNUAL REPORT
Let’s be frank. This has been a complicated year. Trump is back in the White House. And we’ve seen his administration try to reverse everything we've worked so hard for to protect our food, water, climate, and democracy. Trump is dismantling basic protections in the most reckless and greedy way imaginable. It’s horrendous. At the same time, I’ve seen incredible people like you show up in force at Hands Off! rallies, No Kings protests, “Good Trouble Lives On” actions, and more. People like you are banding together to protect what we love — our neighbors, our communities, our planet. What a beautiful and powerful thing to witness. While we’re living through extreme threats to our most precious resources and our chance to secure a livable future, it’s bringing out the best in so many of us — the best in YOU. Your actions breathe life into our critical work and keep it going strong. Thank you! The harsh reality is, our food, water, and climate can’t wait for a favorable political era. They demand our attention right now. Factory farms are still poisoning communities and running family farms out of business. Big corporations are still trying to privatize our water while polluting our drinking supply with toxic chemicals. And the fossil fuel industry keeps expanding while our climate spirals toward catastrophe. But here's the thing — each campaign we won this year, each community we protected, each policy we influenced for the better, happened because you decided to do something about it. As we mark Food & Water Watch's 20th anniversary — yes, we turned 20 this
year! — I want to thank you for celebrating this milestone with us, especially in such a challenging time. We must remember that together, we’ve accomplished remarkable things over the years, even while facing steep odds. I'm excited to share this report because it reminds me why our work together matters so much — and why we can't stop now . Let me be clear: The next few years are going to test us. But we have a smart strategy, the people power you’ve built over the last two decades, and most of all, each other. Together, we’ll keep fighting and keep winning important protections for people and the environment. Thank you for everything you do.
Onward,
Wenonah Hauter Founder & Executive Director
Food & Water Watch's Managing Director of Organizing Emily Wurth, Senior New Jersey Organizer John Aspray, and Founder and Executive Director Wenonah Hauter joined the AFGE Rally in solidarity to protest mass layoffs at the Environmental Protec- tion Agency in Washington, DC, in February 2025.
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Contents
Our Shared Mission Steadies Our Ship in Turbulent Times �������������������������� 1
Justice and Equity Are at the Heart of Our Work �������������������������������������������� 2
Together, We Celebrated Our History ��������������������������������������������������������������� 3
... And We Celebrated Recent Wins You Made Possible ������������������������������ 5
You’re Bringing People Together To Strengthen Our Movement ���������������� 7
You’re Growing Our Volunteer Network’s Power and Impact ��������������������� 9
You’re Training Activist Leaders of the Future �������������������������������������������������� 12
You’re Empowering People with Critical Information ����������������������������������� 13
You Give Us Hope and Resilience to Fight for Our Future ��������������������������� 15
Financial Snapshot ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 18
Board & Leadership ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 20
This fiscal year 2025 annual report covers activities from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
Our Shared Mission Steadies Our Ship in Turbulent Times
Our Mission
Our food, water, and climate are under constant assault by corporations who put profit over the survival of humanity. They have seized control of the very institutions that were built to protect us. We mobilize people to reclaim their political power, hold our elected officials accountable, and resist corporate control — ensuring we all have the essential resources we need to thrive. This is a fight we must win because this planet is the only one we get.
We all deserve: • A healthy and livable environment What We Believe
• Human dignity and to have our basic needs met • Just and fair treatment and equitable opportunities and outcomes regardless of race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation • Economic fairness that supports the many, not the few • Real democracy, so our votes and voices can’t be defeated by corporate money
What We Do
To protect our food, water, and climate, we organize people around the country to build political power. We mobilize at the local, state, and federal levels to win the fights others are afraid to even take on. From banning fracking, to shutting down factory farms, to ensuring clean water access for communities across the country, we’ve fought against greedy corporations and reckless government agencies, and we’ve won time after time. We fight — and win — in the courts, in the halls of Congress, and on the ground coast to coast. Corporations may have the money, but we have the people power to make real change. That’s why we win.
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Justice and Equity Are at the Heart of Our Work
From our founding, justice and equity have been at the heart of Food & Water Watch’s campaigns, organization, and worldview. Our early initiatives on water centered on fighting privatization across the Global South, and today we’re still fighting to keep water public in major U.S. cities. We’ve battled factory farms, which poison rural communities, and fought oil and gas drilling and infrastructure that disproportionately harm low-income communities and communities of color. And we’ve learned from and worked with grassroots partners across the country. We know that to win our campaigns and over- come the corporate interests we oppose, we need to build a powerful and diverse movement.
Our strategic work in key congressional districts adapts to their unique dynamics and the different threats they face to their food, water, health, and climate. We also know that corpo- rate interests want to divide us — to pit poor, working, and middle-class people against each other and exploit differences to maintain power. We must combat these attempts at division and build a unified movement for progressive change. That means fully embracing our core values of justice, human dignity, fair treatment, and equity. Accordingly, we’re committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within our organization, as well as with our external supporters and partners.
This is what DEI means to Food & Water Watch:
Diversity
Equity
Inclusion
Diversity encompasses characteristics that make an individual or group different from one another. Food & Water Watch recognizes that these differences are a source of strength and they have an important role to play in confronting and challenging oppression of all kinds. We embrace a broad definition of diversity that includes race, ethnicity, national origin, reli- gion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disabil- ity, class, education, family or marital status, language, and physical appearance.
Achieving equity begins with the honest acknowledgment of structural and systemic barriers faced by Black, Brown, Indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQI+, working class and low-income communities, and other marginalized groups. Breaking down systems of oppression is inseparable from the fight for a livable future. In our work, we strive to center those who have been impact- ed by environmental racism and otherwise disproportion- ately impacted by pollution, climate change, and lack of access to essential resources.
Inclusion is the act of creat- ing environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to participate fully. An inclusive space embrac- es differences and offers respect in words and deeds for everyone who shares our mission and vision. At Food & Water Watch, we believe inclusion helps us to do our best work and build a broad movement toward a livable future for all.
FOOD & WATER WATCH | 2
Together, We Celebrated Our History This year, Food & Water Watch hosted our Against All Odds 20th anniversary benefit
events, and we’ve never felt luckier to have you be a part of this organization. Against All Odds is our once-a-year opportunity to gather as a community, reflect on our progress, and look ahead to the future. Our milestone anniversary made this year feel extra special, and we were delighted to welcome almost 300 people in celebration and solidarity at a reception in New York City and a virtual conference. And at each gathering, there was a palpable sense of camaraderie. We heard keynotes from Zephyr Teachout and Senator Cory Booker, along with words from experienced grassroots organizers and the next generation of climate activists. We learned about current campaigns, organizing tactics, and the future of our movement. We also recognized this year’s honorees: award-winning photog- rapher and volunteer activist, Ken Schles, and lifelong activists and co-authors of Organizing for Social Change: Midwest Academy Training Manual , Steve Max and Jackie Kendall. Gatherings like this remind us why we all come together for the rallies, the phone calls, the meetings. It’s because we all want to connect and extend care for each other as we build the power needed to win the fight for our planet and the future we all share. We're so grateful to you and this community for being the bedrock of Food & Water Watch. The past two decades have shown us that when dedicated people like you come together, when we push for what we know is right and hold power to account, we can achieve great things. This year alone, you powered some huge victories: You beat the Cancer Gag Act in Iowa, passed the Climate Superfund Act in New York, and stopped Congress from repealing the Lead Out of Water Rule. Your generosity is improving lives in meaningful ways, and by sticking together as a community, we can and will get through whatever the future brings. Thank you again for all you do!
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Clockwise from top left: Executive Director Wenonah Hauter / 2025 Benefit Host Committee members, left to right - Susan Weltman, Jon Pope, Daniele Gerard, Madeleine Glick, Madelaine Haberman, and Lisa Schubert / Left to right - Wenonah Hauter with 2025 Honorees Steve Max, Ken Schles, and Jackie Kendall / Left to right - Karen Warren and Tamara Tripp / Left to right - Jay Halfon, Margaret Wurth, and Emily Wurth / Left to right - Sam DiFalco, Juliana Toloza Serna, and Baruch Blum / Left to right - Jackie Kendall, Kwesi Chappin, Jessica Pierce, and Faith Campbell / Left to right - Laura Shindell, Denise Patel, Emily Skydel, Katie Stanovick, and Elaine Weir // All photos by Rebecca Greenfield
Watch and share with friends the recording of the Against All Odds virtual conference. fwwat.ch/20A-Live
Hear from our honorees, Ken Schles, Steve Max,
and Jackie Kendall. fwwat.ch/2025honorees
FOOD & WATER WATCH | 4
... And We Celebrated Recent Wins You Made Possible Thanks to you, we logged a number of important victories this past year, which says a lot given the unprecedented political headwinds we’re facing. Here are a handful of wins you can be proud of!
Blocked the Kroger-Albertsons grocery merger In December 2024, a U.S. District Judge blocked Kroger's planned acquisition of Albertsons. This would have been the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history. The court ruled that combining two of the nation's largest supermarket chains would harm competition, lead to higher food prices for consumers, and reduce bargain- ing power for farmers. The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) successful lawsuit was made possible by strengthened merger guidelines that Food & Water Watch helped shape through public comments submitted in 2022. These updated guidelines provided the legal framework the FTC needed to challenge and ultimately block this anticompetitive merger. Thank you for being the backbone of our work to block unfair and dangerous food sector mega-mergers.
Passed the Climate Change Superfund Act in New York
On December 26, 2024, the New York Gover- nor signed the Climate Change Superfund Act into law. The state is now the second in the nation to require fossil fuel companies to pay for climate damages. The law will raise $75 billion over 25 years from the oil and gas companies most responsible for the climate crisis, funding vital climate adaptation and resilience projects across the state. Together, we mobilized grassroots support and pressured lawmakers to finally hold Big Oil corporations financially accountable for the climate damages they knowingly wrought. Thank you for building the people power that made this win possible! We’re continuing our work to pass similar bills in New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, and Maryland.
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Protected a key lead water safety rule
The Lead Out of Water Rule, officially called the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, is a game-changing rule that requires public water systems nationwide to identify and replace dangerous lead pipes within a decade. It also lowers the level of lead contamination at which they must take protective actions. Yet, this year, lawmakers were poised to cancel this vital law that would make our water safer through the fast-track Congressional Review Act process. You powered an intensive months-long grass- roots campaign led by Food & Water Watch and allies. Together, we rallied, sent messages, and delivered letters — and won commitments from key lawmakers to oppose the repeal. Thank you for fighting for lead-free water!
Defeated the Cancer Gag Act in Iowa When Food & Water Watch learned that Bayer, the maker of Roundup, was pushing a pesticide immunity bill in Iowa, we jumped into action. We nicknamed it the Cancer Gag Act, as it would shield pesticide companies from health-related lawsuits, stripping people of their rights to hold these companies accountable. Our Iowa organizing team mobilized a broad coalition of Iowans to send the message to elected leaders: Put the health of our communities above corporate profits! Despite a last-ditch lobbying push from Bayer, this bill did not pass. Thank you for powering our work to successfully defend farmers and families from this outrageous display of corporate callousness.
Won stricter regulations on vinyl chloride
The Environmental Protection Agency designat- ed vinyl chloride as a high-priority substance for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act, placing it among five chemicals under review for new regulations. Vinyl chloride gained national attention after the 2023 East Palestine train derailment, where it was among the toxic substances that spilled and burned, creating an ongoing public health crisis. Vinyl chloride poses significant health risks throughout its entire supply chain. Regulating it will protect people across the country. Thank you for working alongside us to rein in this dangerous chemical.
Your care and commitment to securing a livable future shine bright and lead the way.
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You’re Bringing People Together To Strengthen Our Movement
In the celebration of Food & Water Watch’s 20th anniversary this year, supporters across the country found a powerful and fun way to strengthen our work — hosting parties! Parties with purpose Your fellow Food & Water Watch members opened their homes to friends and family this year to share how they, too, can join the effort to protect our food, water, and climate. From backyard barbecues in New York, to a garden party in Maryland, and even an Against All Odds virtual conference screening in Iowa, each house party shared a common purpose: to bring Food & Water Watch's critical work directly to their neighbors. Right now, many of us want to do more to resist the terrible and cruel Trump administration, but it can feel overwhelming and hard to know where to start. Our hosts introduced their guests to concrete and effective ways to take action. They shared petitions to sign and information on upcoming events, as well as ways to donate and volunteer their time. Personal connections build power Building a stronger grassroots movement requires the kind of personal outreach our house party hosts graciously showed. Our deepest thanks go to every host who grew our community and strengthened our work.
Marilyn Elie did a lovely job bringing the local community
together as we discussed environmental threats facing Westchester County, New York, and actions we can take together. We shared amazing food, sunshine, and launched our new banner for the Stop Project Maple campaign! — Melissa Hoffmann, party attendee in New York
Interested in hosting a Food & Water Watch house party? Please reach out to Madeline Kelsey at
It's always good to spend casual time with other volunteers, and invite friends who are new to Food & Water Watch. Together, we watched the virtual Against All Odds event. And, I encouraged everyone to try my new sangria recipe! — Jan Corderman, party host in Iowa (third from the left)
mkkelsey@fwwatch.org and visit fwwat.ch/host
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Party Host Spotlight
Food & Water Watch asked Susan Lattimore , a party host in Maryland, about her experience. What motivated you to host a house party for Food & Water Watch? When Madeline told me about the idea of celebrating 20(!) amazing years of environmental activism and legislative successes of Food & Water Watch, I thought about how I’ve been so encouraged and comforted by their actions throughout the years, and wanted to share that feeling with my neighbors. It seemed especially timely as we’re seeing serious threats by the current administration to critical environmental protections. Hosting an informal garden party felt like a good way to get more friends and neighbors involved. What was your favorite part of your event? I bet everybody’s favorite part was getting outside to do some hands-on gardening! We all made herb planters to take home. Another popular activity was watch- ing a Food & Water Watch informational video and discussing simple changes we can make right now to benefit Mother Earth. My guests were eager to sign a petition so they could be more informed about sustainable lifestyles. The best part for me personally was seeing the diversity of my guests, which included a retired neighbor starting his first vegetable garden, two middle schoolers earning a “service hour” for their environmental science class, a new homeowner wanting to learn about native plants, and a young mother who persuaded her landlord to let her grow veggies and herbs on her apartment’s balcony.
We strengthened longtime friendships and made new friends, and EVERYONE shared their thoughts and hopes for a greener future.
We strengthened longtime friendships and made new friends, and EVERYONE shared their thoughts and hopes for a greener future. Do you have advice for people who are consid- ering hosting an event or fundraiser for Food & Water Watch? The most important things to know are: • It will be very valuable! • It will be fun! and • You will feel strengthened by the thoughtful steps you’ll take to prepare and host your event! I recommend following up with your guests after your event, too. I recently went with seven attendees to a local herb festival. We also shared surplus veggie plants with each other. I plan to keep on informing our group about how to stay aware of and respond to environmental developments in our area.
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You’re Growing Our Volunteer Network’s Power and Impact
Your generosity has grown our Food & Water Volunteer Network to more than 3,800 volunteers across the country fighting for our food, water, and climate. Thanks to folks who
CALIFORNIA Volunteers worked to pass Prop 4, the state’s Climate Bond, which will dedicate $10 billion to water and climate resilience projects. NEW JERSEY Volunteers came together to stop NJ Transit from building a new fracked gas plant near communities that have faced decades of industrial pollution. NEW YORK Volunteers pushed elected officials to pass the Climate Superfund Act, requir- ing oil and gas giants to pay damages for their role in creating the climate crisis. Thanks to all the Food & Water Watch volunteers who made these victories possible!
dedicate their time, talents, and energy to these issues, we’ve been able to protect our shared resources and win real improvements in people’s lives. Members of the Volunteer Network work side-by-side with staff organizers to create strategies and take action. They help plan tactics, host events, table at farmers’ markets, speak with news outlets, and educate their community members. To celebrate this work, Food & Water Watch held our third annual Volunteer Convergence in December 2024 — and it couldn’t have been more timely, as we were all coming to terms with Trump’s election win. The event brought together volunteers from across the country and gave us the opportunity to find strength in each other, the community we’ve built, and the progress we’ve made. No one is in this fight alone. We all have the power to connect with folks who are moved to act, just as we are. Together, we can win the major changes we need to protect our families, communities, and health and to defend our food, water, and climate.
In the past year , you activated 3,847 volunteers who contributed a combined 15,049 volunteer hours
Icons: from the Noun Project, created by illangArtGalley
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Volunteer Spotlight
Jan Corderman, Iowa Volunteer
“I'm a farmer's daughter. Growing up on a farm, I've seen firsthand the changes in the way we
grow our food — and how the influence of corporations and Big Ag is threatening the safety of that food.” Jan, a member of Food & Water Watch and Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, says tabling with us on food policy issues is one of her favorite ways to get involved. “Everybody brings their kids and their pets. It’s the vibe and the relaxed time together,” she said. “Sharing, being with people, checking out what everybody else has got going on, and everybody stopping by where you are.” Small moments of connection like these are some of the most joyous parts of our work on the ground. They’re also critical for building the relationships and power we need to bring about real change. Every conversation and every action can contribute to victories that snowball into even bigger wins.
Food & Water volunteers gathered on Zoom for the third annual Volunteer Convergence.
My favorite part of the convergence was being with a lot of people who are as passionate about protect- ing the environment as I am!
– Volunteer Leader in Michigan Katie Olsson
Jan enjoys tabling at farmers markets to spread the word about the harms of Iowa’s factory farms.
FOOD & WATER WATCH | 10
Big Ag and Oil are guzzling water despite a devastating, climate change-driven drought in the Western United States. Food & Water Watch intern, Francesca Rossi , built support for our Protect California Water campaign to rein in corporate water abuses. “The most enjoyable part of the internship was engaging directly with people. I loved learning about people’s stories and values and talking about environmental issues and social inequities. And in attending coalition meetings, I got to really understand the work that goes on behind the scenes and figure out how I could support other organizers.”
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You’re Training Activist Leaders of the Future
Your generosity has not only grown our movement into a force to be reckoned with, you’ve also nurtured younger generations to gain the necessary skills to lead our critical work for years to come. Our community is incredibly grateful to Janet Shapiro for welcoming youth activists into our movement. Janet Shapiro Honors Her Husband, Alan Messer, by Fostering the Next Generation of Planet Protectors Please introduce yourself to our readers. My name is Janet Shapiro. I'm a critical care physician in New York City. You and your late husband, Alan Messer, are the reason Food & Water Watch has been able to recruit and train young activists for our internships, which were featured on our cover story. What motivated you to sponsor this program? Alan was a brilliant artist and illustrator who celebrated the beauty of nature in his work. He believed so deeply in the cause of environmen- tal protection and fairness. He joined protests as long as he was able. He always wanted young people to be educated and active in environ- mental causes, so I see this internship as a way to honor Alan and his values. Many people in our community remember Alan as an incredibly dedicated activist. What do you think he would say to young people who are interested in getting involved? He would be thrilled to say something — he loved to talk! And especially to speak about climate change, including the dangers of fracking. He would tell young people to get involved with a community of devoted people, such as the leaders and activists at Food & Water Watch, where they can learn and make a
Janet and Alan enjoyed their trips to Aruba, one of their favorite places. Alan especially loved birding.
In this era in our country, we need Food & Water Watch more than ever. — Janet Shapiro
difference in the world. Alan would tell them to do what he felt he had to do — get out into the fight of our lives. How do issues Food & Water Watch / Food & Water Action work on impact where you live and the world around you? Although I always believed in the work of environmentalists, it was Alan’s passion that inspired me to recognize this cause as fundamental for our time. I’m grateful for the work and persistence of Food & Water Watch. This organization is significantly responsible for banning fracking in my state of New York. What gives you hope for the future? I have hope for the future because of the commitment of Food & Water Watch — an outstanding organization — and the remarkable people who work each day to protect us. In this era in our country, we need Food & Water Watch more than ever.
FOOD & WATER WATCH | 12
Your generosity funds critical research, hard-hitting articles, and educational programs that dive deep into the issues you care about the most. You’re Empowering People with Critical Information
Our research reports don’t sit on shelves gathering dust — they inform our organizers and volunteers, community groups, local leaders, journalists, and people like you who want real answers about pressing environmen- tal challenges.
We publish articles and host in-person and virtu- al events so people can learn about practical ways they can effect real change. Our materials empower people to protect themselves and their communities from threats to their food, water, and climate.
Research Highlight
In the past year , we published 15 reports and fact sheets .
Here are three to revisit on our website:
Tiny Particles, Big Problems: Microplastics in Our Drinking Water Micro- and nanoplastics are pervasive in our environment, our waters, and our bodies, and they pose significant risks to human health. The Economic Cost of Food Monopolies: The Rotten Egg Oligarchy Food corporations are blaming bird flu for higher prices, but egg producer Cal-Maine pocketed $1 billion in windfall profits before it saw a single outbreak. Factory Farm Nation: 2024 Edition — with an updated factory farm map Updated by popular demand! Big Ag’s factory farm model harms us all, especially communities living next to them. This report documents some of its most egregious damages.
Visit our Research page on our website to dig into more of our groundbreaking research.
fwwat.ch/research 25
Icon: from the Noun Project, created by wyasa design
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In the past year , we hosted 18 Livable Future LIVE educational sessions and other events and welcomed 4,958 total attendees. Educational Events Highlight
Here are the three most popular:
The Jungle : Film Screening & Director Talkback A screening and discussion with the director Matt Wechsler about his documentary that “unravels centuries of greed and exploitation in America’s meat industry… and how Indigenous knowledge may hold the key to creating an equitable food system.”
Microplastics in Your Water A discussion about what we know about microplastics and what we’re doing to protect our water and our communities from these harmful, tiny particles.
Visit our Events page to see what's coming up
Barons by Austin Frerick: Author Talk Executive Director Wenonah Hauter and author Austin Frerick discuss how our current food system concentrates power in the hands of the few and how we can take back power from greedy food industry titans.
fwwat.ch/upcoming
FUN FACT In the past year, people tuned into Livable Future LIVE from all 50 states plus Puerto Rico !
Icon: from the Noun Project, created by Smashing Stocks
FOOD & WATER WATCH | 14
You Give Us Hope and Resilience to Fight for Our Future
And honestly? You blew us away. The courage, determination, and creativity we’ve witnessed were nothing short of inspiring. Rallies that filled the streets, marches that reminded us we’re not alone in this fight, and protest signs that made us stop in our tracks — you showed up and gave our grassroots movement hope when it needed it most. Thank you! Throughout the year, you took action for clean water, safe food, and a healthy climate — because you know these aren't just environ- mental issues, they're about protecting our families and communities. You're the backbone
We can’t look back at the last twelve months without talking about the presidential election. We knew the Trump administration would be an ongoing threat to our mission and democ- racy itself, and unfortunately, in the first year of the Administration, our worst fears are being borne out. But we also recognized something important: we needed to take care of ourselves and our community if we wanted to stay strong for the fights ahead. So we reached out. We connected with our allies, the communities we work with, our volunteers, and you. We checked in to see how you were holding up.
With you, Food & Water Watch is focused, ready to fight back — and win. For two decades, dedicated people like you have joined FOOD & WATER WATCH’S SIGNATURE CAMPAIGNS
Food & Water Watch to organize people around what matters most: safe and sustainable food, clean and affordable water, and a livable climate. Together, we don't just educate and advocate — we organize thousands of people to fight for and secure real protections for the resources we need to live and thrive. We do this strategically, targeting the exact pressure points where we can shift power and win.
End Fossil Fuels: Renewable energy is
Public Water for All: Climate change-caused extreme weather is overwhelm- ing our water infrastructure, leaving millions without clean, safe water. Together, we'll take on the biggest water abusers — Big Ag and Big Oil — while securing federal investment in water infrastructure. We'll force the EPA to monitor microplastics in drinking water, defend the Clean Water Act against rollbacks, and stop water privatization schemes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland.
surging, but the fossil fuel industry's stranglehold is blocking our transition to a clean energy future. We'll resist the Trump adminis- tration’s efforts to expand fossil fuel infrastructure, build a congressional coalition to end fossil fuel subsidies, and pass legis- lation in California, New Jersey, and beyond that makes polluters pay for the climate damage they've caused.
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In the past year you
of our mission, and we're overflowing with gratitude for everything you do. Looking ahead, we know the work will be hard. Powerful corporations will keep putting profits over people and the planet. This administration will keep trying to tear apart rules, regulations, and entire governmental departments that keep us safe. And the climate crisis will keep escalating without bold action. But here's what we know: when we work together and exercise our people power, we can overcome great odds. This annual report is proof of that.
Engaged 2 million+ supporters
Pursued 30 active lawsuits Held 250+ meetings with Congressional offices Sent 203,474 digital letters and petitions
You power our ambitious goals Thanks to you, we've
Ban Factory Farms: Factory farms are poisoning our air and water, destroying rural communities, crushing family farmers, and accel- erating climate change. Together, we’ll break up agri- business concentration, resist deregulation that benefits corporations at the expense of everyday people, and build support from elected leaders for factory farm bans and moratoriums in Oregon, New York, New Mexico, and Iowa.
The Plastic Crisis: Plastic production and pollution cut across every issue we tackle. Fossil fuels drive the plastics boom while plastic pollution contaminates our water, oceans, air, and food. We're highlighting plastics — especially microplastics — as a critical threat to a livable future.
battled corporate power, government corruption, and weak oversight — and our track record proves that our approach works. With focus, determina- tion, and hope, together, we’ll create a healthy future for all people.
Icons, from the top: from the Noun Project, created by Berkah Icon, Max Hancock, Aficons, Lufti Gani Al Achmad FOOD & WATER WATCH | 16
In June 2025, the New York State Assembly voted to repeal the outdated 100-foot rule, which forced customers to subsidize costly gas hookups for new customers. This victory follows years of advo- cacy to eliminate policies that prop up the fossil fuel industry at the public’s expense. Food & Water Watch applauds elected leaders like State Senator Lea Webb (center) for putting her constituents ahead of gas utilities.
17 | ANNUAL REPORT: FISCAL YEAR 2024
Financial Snapshot For fiscal year 2025: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
YOUR GENEROSITY
$19,883,088 Contributions & Grants
YOUR GENEROSITY AT WORK
TOTAL REVENUE: $20,780,777
$897,689 Investments & Other Revenue
$3,062,670 Water
$6,088,636 Food
TOTAL EXPENSES: $16,022,980
OUR MISSION'S STRENGTH
$3,230,204 Climate
$1,539,232 Management
$2,102,238 Fundraising
NET ASSETS AT THE END OF THE YEAR: $30,504,635
Investments & Other Revenue $897,689
Climate $3,230,204 Water $3,062,670
Contributions & Grants $19,883,088
Management $1,539,232 Fundraising $2,102,238
Food $6,088,636
Total Administrative Expenses: $3,641,470
Total Program Expenses: $12,381,510
Total Revenue: $20,780,777
FOOD & WATER WATCH | 18
Food & Water Watch Oregon Organizers Aimee Stone (front row, left) and Lilli DiPaola (front row, right) gathered local activists to create signs during their Week of Action to Stop Factory Farms in the summer of 2024. In addition to the art build, Oregonians came together throughout the week to urge their elected officials to continue the fight to stop the expansion of factory farms through a series of events including a bike ride, trivia night, making calls to their legislators, and delivering petitions to the state capitol in Salem.
19 | ANNUAL REPORT: FISCAL YEAR 2025
Board & Leadership FOOD & WATER WATCH BOARD OF DIRECTORS Maude Barlow, Board Chair Wenonah Hauter, Founder & Executive Director Rudolf Amenga-Etego Elyzabeth Peredo Beltrán
Robert Howarth Shawn McKenzie Michele Merkel Mary Ricci Lisa Schubert
LEADERSHIP Wenonah Hauter, Founder & Executive Director Managing Directors Caland Barney Mitch Jones Mark Schlosberg
Tamara Tripp Emily Wurth
ADVISORY COUNCIL The Advisory Council serves as a leadership body of members committed to the growth and improvement of Food & Water Watch. Lynne Azarchi Lee Fahey Tracy Farwell Bill Gee Ellie Goldberg Madelaine Haberman Craig Merilees Natalie Pien
Jon Pope Abi Rome Manijeh Saba Eric Strid Kitty Ufford-Chase
FOOD & WATER WATCH | 20
2024/2025 ANNUAL REPORT JULY 1, 2024 – JUNE 30, 2025
foodandwaterwatch.org NATIONAL OFFICE 1616 P Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20036 T: (202) 683-2500 Toll-free: 855-340-8083
Food & Water Watch is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that mobilizes regular people to build political power to move bold and uncompromised solutions to the most pressing food, water, and climate problems of our time. We work to protect people’s health, communities, and democracy from the growing destructive power of the most powerful economic interests.
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