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The Human Utility seeks to eliminate water service disconnections for…
Founded July 2014, The Human Utility (formerly known as the Detroit Water Project) matches families needing help with utility bills to people who want to help through payments directly to utility companies. For over 40 million families in the United States, water and other essential utilities may be unaffordable. In order to afford utilities, families often forgo medication, food, and transportation. The Human Utility's platform divides a bill similar to a loan syndicate expanding the possible number of donors from around the world able to join together to ensure families never lose access to utility service. Donors are matched with a specific family or donate to a universal assistance fund. Later, we use utility data to design interventions addressing the root causes of why people need help with their utility bills with the goal of never having them lose service again.
The Human Utility is a nonprofit that helps Detroit (and Baltimore) families avoid water shutoffs by providing financial assistance to pay water bills. It relies on donor funding and encourages partnerships to expand its reach and support for households in need.
The organization raises and distributes funds to pay water bills for families at risk of shutoffs. Donors contribute money, which The Human Utility allocates directly to help seniors and families maintain running water at home. It engages volunteers (lawyers, plumbers, and other partners) and partners with community organizations to connect residents with services and support.
Who it’s for: Families in Detroit and Baltimore at risk of water shutoffs; seniors and households needing assistance with water bills; potential partner organizations and volunteers (lawyers, plumbers, community groups).
fundraising mentions; donor impact data; community partnerships
Tiffani is the Founder and Executive Director of The Human Utility. Since July 2014, The Human Utility has helped thousands of people with their water bills. She was a 2017 Technology & Democracy Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Tiffani is a programmer who earned a BSc in Systems & Computer Science from Howard University. She is also a Stanford Graduate School of Business alumna having earned an MS in Management as a Sloan Fellow. Always chewing gum. Quant.
Formerly “Detroit Water Project” · why startups rename →
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