New Jersey American Water presents a $12,000 American Water Charitable Foundation Water and Environment Grant to Camden’s Charter School Network. Pictured, from left: Charlie Bell, External Affairs Specialist, New Jersey American Water; Melanie James, Allied Resources for Kids; Sean Quinn, Senior Source Water Protection Program Manager, New Jersey American Water; Rebecca Phelan Brinkmann, Executive Director, Camden’s Charter School Network; William Helmbrecht, Chief Executive Officer, Camden’s Charter School Network, Camden’s Charter School Network; Veda Cloud, Network Social Worker, Camden’s Charter School Network; Jack Carr, Educational Outreach Provider, Camden’s Charter School Network; Dr. Joseph Conway, Superintendent, Camden’s Promise Charter School; Nicholas Mitchell, Camden’s Promise Charter School science teacher; and students from Camden’s Promise Charter School 7 th grade.
The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., and New Jersey American Water, in support of their ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, are proud to name Camden’s Charter School Network a recipient of the Foundation’s 2026 Water and Environment Grant Program.
The Camden County organization will use the $12,000 grant to support the expansion ofthe Tippin’s Pond EcoLab project. Efforts include constructing and deploying floating wetlands at Tippin’s Pond in Pennsauken, conducting hands-on water quality testing, using remotely operated vehicle technology to monitor underwater conditions, and supporting educational workshops and field trips to the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor. “We are deeply grateful to the American Water Charitable Foundation for supporting our Tippin’s Pond EcoLab: Floating Wetlands & Water Monitoring project,” said Rebecca Brinkmann Phelan, Executive Director of Camden’s Charter School Network. “This grant empowers our students to engage in hands-on scientific research such as monitoring water quality and applying innovative solutions like floating wetlands and utilizing underwater ROV technology to drive real environmental impact. Through this work, our students are not only strengthening Tippin’s Pond but also developing the skills and knowledge to become the next generation of environmental leaders.” The Tippin’s Pond EcoLab builds on Camden’s Charter School Network’s previous floating wetlands initiative by deepening student engagement in freshwater ecology, environmental monitoring, and STEAM-based learning. Students will collect baseline and follow-up data on indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity, and nutrient levels, while studying how nature-based solutions can help improve local water quality and aquatic habitat. “Providing safe and reliable water is what we do, but giving back to the communities we serve is part of who we are,” said Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water. “Through the Foundation’s Water and Environment Grant Program, we’re proud to invest in local organizations that protect our water resources, educate future stewards and strengthen communities across New Jersey.”
The Water and Environment grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, focusing on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities. In 2026, the American Water Charitable Foundation awarded over $179,000 to ten nonprofit organizations across New Jersey American Water’s service area. “The American Water Charitable Foundation is delighted to support eligible nonprofit organizations making a meaningful impact across New Jersey,” said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. “Funding for Water and Environment grants support projects focused on clean water, conservation, environmental education, climate variability, and water-based recreation.”