Mar 19, 2026
Sleeman Breweries Donates $40,000 to Local Clean Water Project
Many of us take for granted that when we turn on a tap, we’ll access clean, safe water. Through the Sleeman Better Water Fund, we’re helping more communities have that same level of trust in their drinking water.
The Sleeman Better Water Fund provides $40,000 each year to support Canadian water conservation and clean water access. We’re pleased to share that the 2026 recipient of the Sleeman Better Water Fund is the One Drop Foundation.
With this donation from the Sleeman Better Water Fund, One Drop Foundation is supporting the Six Nations Mobile Water Lab in Ontario.
Many households in Six Nations of the Grand River rely on wells or cisterns for their water. However, these sources are vulnerable to contamination that is often identified only after community members notice a problem. The Mobile Water Lab allows for proactive testing of household wells and cisterns so that community members can feel confident in the water they use for drinking, cooking, and caring for their families.
“We were excited to see One Drop Foundation’s funding application this year,” says Mike Minami, President and CEO of Sleeman Breweries. “They are a well-respected organization, and we appreciate their community-centred approach to addressing water issues.”
One Drop Foundation aims to unite people and empower communities to solve the global water crisis through innovative, sustainable actions.
These funds will be used to purchase instruments and equipment and to create training and educational materials for the community. The project is part of the Indigenous Water Allyship program that supports solutions by and for Indigenous communities, ensuring sustainability through local ownership, autonomy, and empowerment.
“Safe water lasts when communities are equipped to lead,” says Ernenek Duran, President and Chief Executive Officer at One Drop Foundation. “This support helps advance Indigenous-led water monitoring that pairs dependable testing with practical, hands-on learning. By building local skills and confidence, we can strengthen long-term water stewardship.”
The Sleeman Better Water Fund provides $40,000 in funding each year to Canadian registered charities that are creating positive change in the fields of water conservation and clean water access.
Past recipients of the Sleeman Better Water Fund include Living Lakes Canada and Fondation Rivières.
Applications for the Sleeman Better Water Fund open every September with funding awarded on March 22 for World Water Day.
The Sleeman Better Water Fund is administered by the Guelph Community Foundation, a local partner that facilitates charitable giving.
