About Us

Mission

We partner with communities, providing resources for projects defined by local leaders to improve the lives and well-being of the people in the community.

Vision

We see a world where every person has the basics for well-being: clean water, good food, housing, health care, safety, education, social activity, and jobs. We know that the current state of the world represents many unmet needs. Recognizing the size of the need which seems unlimited, we fund innovative projects of modest scale. We believe that small change leads to bigger change and is a preferred option to a default acceptance of the status quo.

Why This Program

We hold that we are connected with one another in the world community. Like thousands of individual cells connected within a single body shaping its health, the actions of individuals within the world community effect the wellbeing of all. Discomfort in a part of our collective body impacts the whole and serves as a source for other downstream social ills. This program is designed for individuals who share a view of a larger self, have decided that they have enough means to live comfortable lives, and want to share their resources with others in a creative and smart way.

Our Values

The following core values inform our mission and guide our actions as investors:

  1. Respect: We believe the community should decide what the community needs

  2. Optimism: We believe that good outcomes can be the rule, not the exception, based on disciplined and continuous effort

  3. Innovation: We challenge ourselves and our collaborators to think creatively

  4. Leverage: We expect that a smart investment process will grow resources, not waste them

  5. Accountability: We deliver what we promise and avoid promising more than we can deliver.

  6. Efficient: We are careful managers of resources

  7. Life Affirming: We enjoy life's benefits and want the same opportunity for all

  8. Enlightened Compassion: We care for the well-being of others without neglecting care of self

Our Name - NextWorldNow

Some people wonder about what happens after their life ends. We understand and respect that there are different views about the exact nature of any afterlife and how to gain access.

No matter what unknown place comes next, there is still the world we live in now. Barring a cataclysmic event, this world is likely to continue after our own departure.


Accordingly, we choose to help shape what happens next in the world, today. We prefer a world that supports life and wellbeing and avoids intentional destruction and unintended harm.

On a small scale, NextWorldNow offers a practice model to accomplish this objective. Our idea is to work for 'lot more heaven, a bit less hell.'


Who We Are

Based in Denver, Colorado. Founder and board chair, Marty Waters, is a retired clinical social worker from the field of behavioral health care with a life-long interest in contributing to a better world.

Current Board members include Tom Cella and Richard Hayes, CPA. Both Tom and Richard are members of Rotary International and have extensive experience supporting and participating in humanitarian projects, both in the US and internationally.

Previous Board members include Marco Aurelio Sosa Giraldo, Medico/ Especialista en Administracion de Servicios de Salud / Master en Salud Public from Columbia, and Alpha Ntyamba, Community Development Specialist, Tanzania.

NWN is committed to sharing our resources for this purpose and in the process, learn more about the people in the diverse communities of our planet. We welcome participation from others.


When We Started

Launched in 2015, NextWorldNow provides annual grants of up to $10,000 to international communities. In addition, the review and grant determination process is available for other interested parties and organizations who may recommend projects, participate in the review process and direct their personal contributions within the options that have been reviewed. NWN is a US based non profit foundation with 501 (c) (3) status.