ReThinking: Matt Damon on solving one of the planet’s biggest problems, in partnership with Gary White - Worklife with Adam Grant Recap
Podcast: Worklife with Adam Grant
Published: 2026-02-24
Duration: 28 min
Summary
Matt Damon and Gary White discuss their partnership to address the global water crisis through innovative financing. Their organization, Water.org, focuses on providing microloans to empower communities and ensure access to clean water.
What Happened
In this episode, Adam Grant sits down with Hollywood star Matt Damon and social entrepreneur Gary White at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The conversation centers around the significant work they do together to tackle the global water crisis through their organization, Water.org. Damon shares a humorous anecdote about how his father advised him against including the iconic line 'How do you like them apples?' in the script for Goodwill Hunting, a moment that now serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of creativity and collaboration.
The duo explains their innovative approach to providing access to clean water. They have developed a method of offering microloans, allowing individuals and communities to take ownership of their water sources once they pay off the loans. This strategy not only enhances access to water but also creates economic opportunities and improves quality of life, particularly for women and girls who are disproportionately affected by the water crisis. Damon highlights that their initiative has successfully reached millions of people, showcasing the impact of their partnership and the importance of creativity in philanthropy.
Key Insights
- Matt Damon's strength lies in partner selection for impactful collaborations.
- Water.org's innovative microloan strategy allows communities to gain ownership of their water sources.
- 90% of the microloans are taken out by women, empowering them and improving their lives.
- The organization's approach has significantly reduced the cost of delivering clean water from $25 to $5 per person.
Key Questions Answered
What inspired Matt Damon to co-found Water.org?
Matt Damon has a long-standing passion for addressing the issue of clean water access, which began with his earlier nonprofit, H2O Africa. When he met Gary White, they both recognized their shared commitment to this cause, leading to the merger of their organizations and the creation of Water.org.
How does the microloan system of Water.org work?
The microloan system allows individuals in need of clean water to take out loans to pay for their water sources. Once they pay off the loan, they gain full ownership, which empowers them economically and socially. This innovative approach has proven effective, with a repayment rate of 98%.
What is the impact of Water.org's work on women's lives?
Water.org's initiatives significantly affect women, who make up 90% of the borrowers. Access to clean water reduces the time they spend collecting water, allowing them to pursue education and jobs, thus enhancing their economic opportunities and potential.
How has Water.org expanded its reach over the years?
Initially, Water.org reached its first million people in 2012, but they've accelerated their impact to now reach a million people every six weeks. This rapid growth has allowed them to positively influence 85 million lives by providing access to clean water.
What lessons did Matt Damon learn from his collaboration with Gary White?
Damon emphasizes the importance of partner selection and acknowledges that all his proudest achievements come from collaborative efforts. His partnership with Gary White has not only allowed them to innovate in addressing the water crisis but has also enriched his perspective on philanthropy.