The WaterWheel Foundation

The WaterWheel Foundation was created by Phish in 1997 to oversee their charitable activities. Initially, the Foundation included The Touring Division, The Giving Program, and the Lake Champlain Initiative, but, as the band has stopped touring, The Touring Division and the Giving Program are now defunct. The Lake Champlain Initiative continues to donate proceeds from the sale of Phish Food to support the environmental well-being of Lake Champlain and its watershed.ref|overview

Lake Champlain Initiative

Lake Champlain, a sizeable lake on the Vermont/New York border, is currently plagued by several major problems: an overabundance of phosphorus from sewage, agricultural/urban run-off, toxic waste, and invasions of non-native species. Over half of the lake is considered to be too polluted to be of full use, and yet sees over $1 billion in tourism each year.

Fellow Vermonters Ben & Jerry's approached the band in 1995 regarding a flavor called "Phish Food"; Phish decided that they would donate all royalties to help Lake Champlain. WaterWheel has given away over $1 million to 29 organizations working on issues affecting Lake Champlain covering a wide variety of issues: land conservation, environmental advocacy, activism, education, and so forth.ref|champlain

Touring Division

The primary mission of WaterWheel's Touring Division was dedicated to raising funds for one selected non-profit in each community to which Phish toured. The proceeds from the sale of WaterWheel merchandise was donated directly to the organization table of the charity at that particular show. WaterWheel donated over $400,000 to more than 189 organizations.ref|touring

During the band's hiatus (10/00 - 12/02), the Touring Division continued to tour with Trey Anastasio side-projects (Anastasio’s first project, Oysterhead). Original Touring Division directors Mike Hayes and Henry Schwab left the organization at the commencement of the hiatus. The division's activities were carried forward by Chris Prang & Matt Beck through the hiatus and into Phish's final two years on the road.

Local Giving

Comprising the organizations in which a band member takes a personal interest, Local Giving was concentrated on Vermont-based non-profits. As the band is no longer touring, this branch is no longer giving donations. Past recipients have included the Vermont Youth Orchestra, Women's Rape Crisis Center, Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts, The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, and Vermont Public Television.ref|local

References

# cite web
url=http://www.phish.com/waterwheel/index.php
title=Overview, Phish.com
accessdate=2006-05-09
# cite web
url=http://www.phish.com/waterwheel/champlain.php
title= Lake Champlain Initiative
accessdate=2006-05-09
# cite web
url=http://www.phish.com/waterwheel/touring.php
title=Touring Division
accessdate=2006-05-09
# cite web
url=http://www.phish.com/waterwheel/giving.php
title=Local Giving
accessdate=2006-05-09