TerraClear Foundation
Give clean drinking water to children and families in Laos.
In thousands of Lao villages, available water isn't safe to drink. TerraClear Foundation delivers filters, classroom education, and lasting access — one school and one family at a time.
A simple, proven model for safe drinking water.
Every donation supports three steps that have been tested in the field for over a 15 years.
Filters that last
Household and school filters remove greater than 99% of waterborne bacteria and protozoa — no electricity required — providing clean water for years.
Education that counts
Through TerraKids and TerraCare, students and families learn hygiene and water safety with hands-on lessons — knowledge they spread to relatives and neighbors.
Access for everyone
TerraCare subsidizes filters for families who can't afford them, so no household is left without clean drinking water and TerraKids places filters in classrooms at no change to underserved schools.
TerraKids · in 372 schools so far!
Three ways we bring water to life.
From classrooms to remote villages, our programs work together to make safe water normal — not a privilege.
- Water filters — installed in homes and schools with maintenance training and regular checkups from representatives.
- TerraKids — water-safety and hygiene curriculum for schoolchildren along with water filters in every classroom!
- TerraCare — subsidized filters for low-income families.
The real world impact.
SFE have been collaborating with TerraClear for several years to provide a solution for safe water production to remote communities. Villagers who get a filter are proud to expose it and to use it in their house. The maintenance requirements are quite low and easily learnt by the owners. The villagers report that the water filter makes them save time and energy, and that they have less diarrhea. We also appreciate the positive environmental impact of the ceramic water filter solution.
Terraclear leads the pack in our view and is very simple to maintain, unlike so many other options we have tested. When we arrive at a village, we confirm with the villagers that there is 100% diarrhea with all families. After distribution, we revisit a couple of months later and discover diarrhea caused by water borne bacteria has disappeared completely. Our name has become legacy in these regions where we work, because of this. Without sickness, more kids are in school, there is more productivity in the rice fields and the 8.1% infant mortality rate has dropped significantly.
Five years serving in some of Asia's most water-stressed communities.
TerraClear Foundation began in 2021 with the mission of bringing clean, safe drinking water to poor and marginalized families and schoolchildren in Laos. To date 15,000 families and over 1,500 classrooms have been given sustainable and clean drinking water through our programs.
$75 gives a family clean water and health training.
A single filter serves a family for years. Your gift today is the difference between a family suffering from sickness or being healthy.
Clean water is not a given in Laos.
For millions of people, the closest water source is a river, a pond, or an open well — and what looks clear can carry disease that keeps children out of school and parents out of work.
The water is there. Safe water isn't.
Laos is one of the most water-rich countries in Southeast Asia, threaded with rivers and fed by monsoon rains. But abundance is not the same as safety. In rural and highland communities, water is collected from sources shared with livestock, contaminated by runoff, and stored in conditions where bacteria thrive.
The consequences fall hardest on children. Repeated diarrheal illness drains the energy a child needs to grow and learn, and a sick week is a missed week of school. For families, the cost of treating preventable illness — and the time spent boiling water over scarce firewood — is a quiet tax paid every single day in missed opportunities and increased sickness from the smoke.
Why other fixes fall short.
Boiling works, but it depends on charcoal and firewood that's costly or increasingly scarce. The cost of bottled water is far beyond what most rural families can afford. Piped water projects take years, are difficult to keep clean and rarely reach remote villages. What communities need is something affordable, immediate, and built to last in the places they actually live.
That gap — between water that exists and water that's safe to drink — is exactly where TerraClear Foundation is active.
Filters, education and follow-up working together.
Our solution isn't just a one-time fix. It's a long-term intervention designed so a water filter is placed where it's needed, gets used correctly, and keeps cleaning water for years to come.
What your support funds.
Programs that remove the risk from drinking water, providing vulnerable families and school children access to their basic human right: clean drinking water.
TerraKids
A water-safety and hygiene curriculum delivered in partner schools. Students learn why and how to drink safely — and become the messengers who carry those habits home. TerraKids places a water filter in every classroom where it holds a training. Clean safe drinking water enables kids and teachers to do their best at school.
Learn more
TerraCare
Provides subsidized filters for low-income households, so families pay only what they can — and no one goes without because of cost. Families who qualify for the program contribute by participating in trainings about health and hygiene.
Learn moreFrom your donation to a drinking glass.
A real, ordered process — every gift moves through these steps.
We partner locally
We work with direct partners in Laos, like village leaders and school administrators, to identify a need, map water sources, and plan filters for families who need them and schools that can take care of them.
We install & train
Filters are installed in both homes and classrooms, and representatives train families, students and teachers to maintain them — building independence, not dependence.
We measure & return
We track usage and revisit each site so clean water keeps flowing for years to come.
Good to know.
With routine cleaning, gravity-fed filters reliably produce safe water for years. Should anything break, spare parts are available from local representatives that check in frequently.
Yes. Our operating model is built so that public donations fund program work directly. We publish annual figures and verify installations with GPS and follow-up visits.
In much of rural Laos water is physically available but unsafe. Filters are affordable, fast to deploy, and work in locations where there is no budget or plan to install or maintain community water systems.
Yes — through our larger giving and sponsorship options you can direct support to a specific project or village. Reach out via our contact page and our team will match you to a site.
Real Stories, Real Impact
The families, schools, and villages behind the numbers — straight from the field in Laos.
Thanks to your contribution:
Latest stories
Across the Mekong: Bringing Hope to Children in Laos
TerraKids is the school outreach program of and TerraClear Production in Laos. Through TerraKids, local Lao staff travel to rural schools to…
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Hope Flows in Salee Noy Village
In Salee Noy Village in Nong District, Savannakhet Province, Chansai and his family have long struggled with access to safe drinking water.…
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Celebrate World Water Day: March 22….Clean Water Changes Everything
World Water Day (March 22) is a time to celebrate something powerful and life-changing: clean water. This year, we invite you to…
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Amplify Austin Was an Amazing Success — Thank You!
Amplify Austin was an incredible success, and we are deeply grateful for your support. Thanks to your generosity, we not only reached…
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Our 2025 Annual Report Is Here
We’re excited to share that TerraClear Foundation’s 2025 Annual Report is now live and available on our website under the Our Financials…
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Amplify Austin 2026
Again in 2026, TerraClear Foundation is making a GLOBAL IMPACT through the “Amplify Austin” campaign. Early donations begin starting Jan 28, 2026 and all…
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Your 2025 Clean Water Impact in Laos — Made Possible by You
As we step into a new year, we want to pause and say one simple but powerful thing: thank you. Because of…
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A Changed Life for Meei and Ale’s Family
Mr. Meei (41) and his wife, Mrs. Ale, live with their four children in a small home built from recycled zinc roofing…
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A Grateful Heart in Phone Muang Village
In Phone Muang Village, Xephone District of Savannakhet Province, 56-year-old Mrs. Bounma shares a small home with her elderly mother. For years,…
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We're a small team with a stubborn belief.
That clean drinking water is a basic human right and we all have a responsibility to ensure this right is met.
It all started with a filter.
TerraClear Foundation envisions a world where every child grows up with the basic right to clean water, where families live with dignity and good health, and where environmentally sustainable solutions are accessible to even the most vulnerable communities.
TerraClear Foundation’s mission is to provide affordable access to clean drinking water for impoverished families—improving health, protecting children’s rights, and promoting environmental sustainability. Through subsidized ceramic water filters and health education, we empower communities to break the cycle of waterborne illness, reduce carbon emissions, and build a healthier, more equitable future—starting in rural Laos.
A mission that's aligned.
In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. At TerraClear Foundation, our mission and vision align with six of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Selecting a goal opens the United Nations' page for that goal in a new browser tab.
For more information, visit the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals site directly.
Normal people with a big vision.
Dawn Lewis
Dan Rice
Greg Classen
Bryce Roszell
Phil Minnich
Jonathan Ringger
Don Koontz
Open books, every year.
Donors deserve to see exactly how their gift is used. Below are our annual reports, IRS filings, and tax-exemption documents.
Additional documents
501(c)(3) determination letterTerraClear Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in the United States (EIN: 85-3275435).
Ratings & recognition
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Be part of the next five years.
We've reached over 75,000 people. There are far more still waiting. Your support is how the next village and school gets clean drinking water.
Turn your gift into clean water.
Choose an amount and see exactly what it does. Every donation funds filters, lessons, and lasting clean water access for families and schools in Laos.
Your donation's impact
Prefer to give another way, or sponsor a specific school? Contact our team.
International donors looking to receive a tax deductible receipt? Contact our team for more details.
Let's talk about clean water.
Questions, partnerships, school sponsorships, or speaking engagements — we'd love to hear from you and partner with you. Don't hesitate to reach out today!
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Locations
Lancaster, PA
Austin, TX
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TerraKids
TerraClear Foundation supports the TerraKids program, which hosts educational programs about topics like children’s rights, safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene.
TerraKids partners with District Education Ministries in Laos to identify at-risk and needy schools. Once a school has been identified by the Department, our staff surveys the school and makes a plan with them to place water filters in classrooms and hold a day of educational programs for students and teachers. TerraKids also holds workshops for teachers and school administrators to further equip them in their responsibilities.
From a single classroom to an entire school.
What does it take to give the gift of clean water to a school in Laos?
TerraCare
Partnership in action.
TerraClear Foundation is a supporting partner of TerraCare. This project brings together donors from around the world to fund vouchers for poor and marginalized families in Laos. The first three-year program, between 2020 and 2023, provided over 10,000 water filters, along with comprehensive health and sanitation training — making a difference in the lives of over 50,000 people.
Following the success of those first three years, TerraCare targeted an additional 2,400 recipients in 2024, and will do the same in 2025 and 2026.
How you can help.
What does it take to give the gift of clean water to a family in need?
Dawn Lewis
Executive Director
Dawn Lewis has been the Executive Director of TerraClear Foundation since June 2024, bringing two decades of expertise in development work focused on water and sanitation across Southeast Asia and South Asia. She has held key leadership roles, including project management and advisory positions in Laos, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the U.S., with a particular focus on improving access to clean drinking water.
Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Missouri and a Master of Arts in Linguistics from California State University, Long Beach. Her experience is not only rooted in international development but also in education, having taught for ten years in Texas. This combination reflects her strong commitment to both global health and community empowerment.
Currently based in Austin, Texas, Dawn enjoys meeting new people, spending time with family and friends, and exploring nature and the outdoors.
How you can contact Dawn.
Dan Rice
President
Dan Rice first traveled to Laos in 2008 to help launch TerraClear Production, a social enterprise committed to providing affordable access to clean water. After returning to the U.S. in 2009, he continued advising TerraClear until 2015, when he returned for a second term. As Managing Director from 2015 to 2018, Dan guided the organization through a critical period of growth, expanding the team from 25 to 60 employees.
In 2020, Dan, along with two former TerraClear colleagues, co-founded TerraClear Foundation, a U.S.-based nonprofit focused on clean water access, children’s rights, and environmental conservation in Southeast Asia. Since its inception, Dan has served as President of the Board.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Dan began his career at KPMG, a “Big Four” accounting firm. He holds an MBA from Penn State University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting & Finance and Business Management from Eastern University. He is currently CFO & VP of Manufacturing Services for Paul B. Zimmerman, Inc., in Lititz, PA.
Dan lives in Lancaster, PA, with his wife of 19 years, Anna, and their daughters Adalyn (13) and Josie (10). He is an active member of a Mennonite church and enjoys volleyball, pickleball, camping, hiking, and family time. A dedicated Philadelphia sports fan, Dan is passionate about both his community and his work.
How you can contact Dan.
Greg Classen
Treasurer
Greg journeyed to Laos in 2011 to serve as Finance Manager at TerraClear Production, a role he held until 2015. As a CPA with five years of public accounting experience, Greg was eager to apply his financial acumen to an organization making a tangible difference in the world. During his nine years in Laos, Greg grew to appreciate the uniqueness of doing business in a foreign context and became well-versed in local business requirements and cultural values.
Returning to the U.S. in 2020, Greg is now employed by JPMorgan Chase. He resides in Wilmington, DE, with his wife Michelle and their three children. In his free time, Greg serves on several educational non-profits, enjoys basketball, pickleball, reading, and being outdoors with his family.
Greg holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Delaware and a BSBA from the University of West Florida.
How you can contact Greg.
Bryce Roszell
Secretary
Bryce moved to Laos in 2011, where he served as Operations Manager for TerraClear Production until 2015. During this time, he used his background in business administration and international development to build production systems and infrastructure, helping the company scale during its critical early growth phase.
After returning to the U.S. in 2015, Bryce founded Open Seas Coffee Roasters, a social enterprise focused on fostering intentional, quality-driven relationships within the coffee industry. His dedication to TerraClear Production continued through Open Seas’ 10-4 Farmers Initiative, which eventually led him to co-found TerraClear Foundation with Dan and Greg in 2020. Bryce has served as Secretary and board member since its inception.
Bryce currently lives in Stevensville, MD with his wife of 15 years and their two children. He is passionate about the ocean, music, and enjoying the outdoors with his family.
How you can contact Bryce.
Phil Minnich
Senior Technical Advisor & Operations Director
Phil Minnich has worked at TerraClear Production since 2010, when he started as an intern. After serving as Deputy Director for 5 years, he was Director of TerraClear Production from 2018 – 2022. He now serves as an Advisor to the management and Executive Leadership teams and volunteers for the Foundation as an Advisor.
Originally from the U.S., Phil has spent almost half his life as an expat, living in both Laos and Germany, where he resides currently in Ravensburg with his wife and three children. Phil has a B.Sc. in Liberal Arts from Eastern Mennonite University and recently completed an MBA with a concentration in Sustainability at Ravensburg-Weingarten University in Germany.
In his free time he likes to read the news and complicated novels, make Asian food and go exploring on his bike by himself and with his family. He cares deeply about the environment and making the world a better, safe, and just place for everyone. His favorite recent quote is from Robin Wall Kimmerer, “All flourishing is mutual.”
How you can contact Phil.
Jonathan Ringger
Founder – TerraClear Production & Honorary Adviser
Jonathan Ringger first moved to Laos with an ambitious vision: to create an organization that would alleviate poverty through a model combining the social mission of a nonprofit with the discipline, market-focus, and sustainability of a business. In 2006, the term “social enterprise” was still emerging, but Jonathan’s idea was clear. He saw firsthand how access to clean water was a daily challenge. Though water was abundant, it was often contaminated or prohibitively expensive. Jonathan wondered—could a business approach solve this basic yet critical need?
With a team of supporters and other like-minded people, Jonathan launched TerraClear Production, a social enterprise dedicated to producing simple but effective household ceramic filters. Over 15 years, TerraClear has faced challenges typical of any small business, compounded by the complexities of serving a low-income market and navigating a challenging regulatory landscape. But year after year, the positive changes in TerraClear staff and in the lives of rural families gaining affordable access to safe water have been a rewarding match to those challenges.
Jonathan sees TerraClear Foundation as a natural extension of his original vision. The partnership enables them to continue targeting social problems from a sustainable business core but expanding the impact through donor-based programs for those at the very bottom of the poverty pyramid. He serves an advisory role to the Foundation.
How you can contact Jonathan.
Don Koontz
Volunteer - International Partnerships (Australia, NZ, UK)
Now in retirement, Don volunteers with the TerraClear Foundation, focusing on building individual and corporate partnerships that support clean water and sanitation initiatives in Laos. His current efforts are concentrated in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Over the years, Don and his wife have travelled extensively, particularly throughout rural Southeast Asia. A pivotal experience occurred during one trip to rural Laos, where he experienced firsthand the impact of contaminated drinking water while camping outside an ethnic village. This encounter sparked a lasting commitment to improving water access for rural Lao communities — a journey that ultimately led him to TerraClear.
Don brings over 40 years of business experience to the role, equipping him with the skills to help expand TerraClear’s global partnerships.
He lives in Perth, Western Australia, with his wife, two daughters, and three grandchildren. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, reading, and learning new things.
Don is also involved with an Australian First Nations Aboriginal group dedicated to improving water quality in more than 200 remote communities across Western Australia.