Questions from donors | Even more questions
You can text us pictures of your documentation at (313) 241-9725 or fax them to (313) 724-3774.
You can also send documentation via email to docs@humanutility.org. Please include your water company account number.
Once you apply for help, we evaluate your application for need. We need info such as your lease or deed and state-issued ID. We also need proof of employment or disability.
Then, we verify what you owe your water company. We provide a decision on your application within 15 business days. If you’re approved, you will receive an email, text message, or phone call depending on how you'd like to be contacted.
We call you with instructions on how to restore service or prevent shut-off.
We may also ask you to share with donors how their gifts help. We also may call you 2 or 3 months after you receive help to check your progress.
You will receive a decision within 15 business days of applying. Note: At times of high demand, a decision may take longer.
When approved for help, we pay your water company within a week.
We help once in an 18-month period. However, we have helped families more than once. Help in these cases is on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.
Yes, but you must provide evidence (receipts, etc.) of fixing the leak. Sometimes, getting repairs may help reduce the amount you owe.
Yes, but we will pursue the landlord for payment. It may take longer for you to get help. Also, the bill may be transferred to your name.
We currently help in Michigan and Maryland.
No, we do not help with electricity or gas bills or property taxes.
Send an email to status@humanutility.org. Include the name you used on your application and account number.
The Human Utility cares for your privacy. We only ask for info needed to verify need. Do not send Social Security numbers. We share your account number with water companies to know what you owe.
We will remove your info from our system if you ask. Send an email to privacy@humanutility.org. Please include your account number.
If you are applying on behalf of someone else, please use all of their information. In the space on the application for providing details, indicate that you are applying on behalf of someone else.
We wanted to provide immediate relief to Detroit residents. Many groups and crowdfunding campaigns existed, but we wanted to help faster than those.
Generally, crowdfunders must raise the entire goal before receiving funds, which isn't good for providing immediate relief. We also ensured donations went directly to the water company. Other campaigns couldn't guarantee this.
This project came from a discussion on Twitter between @tiffani and @KristyT who wanted to find a way to help people in Detroit with their water issues. From there, we're beginning to expand to other cities.
Dignity is a human right.
Yes.
Yes. Please give at least $5.
Sure! Be sure to check out our monthly giving program to ensure families have running water all-year-round.
Yes!
Yes! Send all checks with a note mentioning the The Human Utility to:
The Human Utility
PO Box 441130 #89193
Detroit, MI 48244-1130 US
If you'd like us to send you one of our pretty thank you cards, please include a return mailing address. We won't send anything other than a thank you card. We promise.
Yes, if you need extra information to get your donation matched by your employer, please send an email to donations@humanutility.org.
We don’t help more than once in most cases. We have helped families with a significant or terminal illness more than once, however.
When you donate, our system finds people who need help. We then pay the water company on their behalf with your donation.
The most common amount donated online is $50. The average online donation for December 2019 was $46.
Yes! If you’re interested in donating stock, send an email to donations@humanutility.org.
Yes! You can anonymously donate by leaving all the personal information fields blank on our online donation form. You can also send a check anonymously to:
The Human Utility
PO Box 441130 #89193
Detroit, MI 48244-1130 US
The Human Utility is an IRS 501c3. Our EIN is #47-2717067.
Yes. Our goal is to be 100% self-sustaining through revenue generated from tips included with donations.
Stripe handles our online donations. Stripe has been audited by a PCI-certified auditor and is certified to PCI Service Provider Level 1. This is the most stringent level of certification available in the payments industry. On our end, only one person on our direct staff and up to 3 people at our fiscal sponsor have access to our Stripe account.
Yes! Just indicate that you’re doing so in your explanation for why you’re giving.
Send an email to donations@humanutility.org. Please include the email address you used to create your monthly donation subscription.
Send an email to donations@humanutility.org. Please include the email address you used to create your monthly donation subscription.
Yes. Stripe charges the nonprofit transaction fee of 2.2% + 30c for each online donation.
Yes, you can indicate with your donation which city you would like to support. Keep in mind, however, that we cannot guarantee monies will be earmarked for any particular individual as this is unlawful.
You can send us mail with this address:
The Human Utility
PO Box 441130 #89193
Detroit, MI 48244-1130 US
Yes! Partnerships can take the form of corporate donations or something more creative. Reach out with what you're thinking to partners@humanutility.org.
Absolutely! Some of our community partners refer families to us that need help, but that's not all. If you'd like to work with us in some way, send us an email at partners@humanutility.org.
Yes. In the referral field, include your organization's name.
Send an email to press@humanutility.org and we’ll be in touch.
If you’re interested in having someone from The Human Utility speak at your event, send an email to speaking@humanutility.org.