Nonprofit tech innovators inspire new philanthropy

Scott Harrison's organization called Charity: Water has funded nearly 7,000 clean water projects in some of the poorest areas of the world.

Scott Harrison's organization called Charity: Water has funded nearly 7,000 clean water projects in some of the poorest areas of the world.

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Harrison wanted to add sensors to the wells to give donors more assurances about the projects. But raising millions of dollars for the innovation was a problem.

Google stepped in with major funding to create and install sensors on 4,000 wells across Africa that will send back real-time data on the water flow. The $5 million grant is part of the first class of Google's Global Impact Awards totaling $23 million to spur innovation among nonprofits.

Experts say the new annual grants are a part of a growing trend in venture philanthropy from donors who see technology as an instrument for social change.