Frequently Asked Questions

Moonshot Missions Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 based on the core principle that all people have a right to safe, accessible, and affordable drinking water and clean waterways. Moonshot Missions sends expert utility advisors out into the field to assess conditions, and identify, select, and develop technically and financially sound projects that transform utilities and the communities they serve. More information about us is here.

Moonshot is comprised of dozens of veteran utility and federal, state, and local government leaders who have banded together to provide trusted advice to their peers. See a list of our current team here.

A moonshot for a community and their utility is a transformative and achievable set of projects or programs that improve water quality and supply, and in parallel, improve the balance sheet of the utility by reducing operating costs or generating new revenues. Moonshot Missions helps communities identify and implement this transformation, ensuring safe, affordable, resilient, and sustainable drinking and clean water for future generations.

Moonshot is a non-profit organization that does not generate profits. Any revenue that exceeds our expenses is returned to the organization to help fund work with additional communities.

Yes. Moonshot is one of four national Environmental Finance Centers selected by USEPA to provide technical assistance to communities that need support to access federal and state funding to improve water, wastewater or stormwater infrastructure. The other three national EFCs are EPIC, the US Water Alliance, and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership. Learn more about our EFC work here.

Moonshot is national in scope and can work in any state, region, or tribal territory. Moonshot has personnel in every part of the country ready to help.

Moonshot can help any community and utility. Moonshot will seek payment from utilities that are able to pay. Under USEPA's Environmental Finance Center program, Moonshot can provide services free of charge for both small, rural and tribal communities under 10,000 in population, and for communities that need support in accessing federal and state infrastructure financing programs. Moonshot may also be able to help other utilities at no cost based on other government and philanthropic funding.

Interested communities and their utilities may seek help by accessing the USEPA’s request for service form here. A community may also request assistance directly from Moonshot here.

Moonshot personnel are well versed in drinking water, wastewater and stormwater issues based on personal experience. We are pleased to handle issues in any of these areas, with a special focus on TA and the following topics.

Moonshot will send an experienced utility engineer and/or operator to visit your facility to learn about and assess your issues first-hand.

Upon a request for assistance, Moonshot initiates the engagement by completing a Utility Profile to understand the community, utility and any issues that arise. Upon completion of the Profile, Moonshot will collaborate with community and utility personnel to conduct a 360° Assessment of technical, financial and management issues. Moonshot will produce a Menu of project opportunities for the utility to solve challenges and a Roadmap to guide them through the details of their chosen project. Last, Moonshot will help the community Implement transformative projects in order to successfully achieve their Moonshot!

The community and utility oversee the process. Moonshot serves as a trusted peer advisor that listens to current issues, assesses technical capabilities, and presents ideas to community and utility leadership for selection and further development.

Moonshot conducts a comprehensive “360-degree” review of the utility’s current technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) conditions, which includes onsite evaluations as necessary and information gathering through engagement with the utility, the community, and other key stakeholders. As part of the evaluation, Moonshot reviews the utility’s management systems, which includes asset management, organizational structure, and key staffing needs. Moonshot’s financial review includes an analysis of the utility’s past financial audits, rate structure, capital improvement plans, operational expenses, debt status and history.

Moonshot will help a utility develop sustainable and transformative projects that are suitable for funding. Funding may come from community resources or from state and federal resources. Moonshot will help a community prepare for and submit applications for federal and state funding. Click here to donate.

No. Moonshot has no stake in the decisions or projects selected by the community and utility. Our only interest is in the selection and implementation of good projects.

Yes! Moonshot welcomes help from committed and enthusiastic people who want to serve their peers and improve water systems. Express an interest here.

Yes. Moonshot is one of four national Environmental Finance Centers selected by USEPA to provide technical assistance to communities that need support accessing federal and state infrastructure funds. The other three national EFCs are EPIC, the US Water Alliance, and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership. Learn more about our EFC work here.

Yes, there is a network of national and regional Environmental Finance Centers established by USEPA in collaboration with the states. If you seek EFC assistance from Moonshot, we will always check with the Regional Environmental Finance Center in your area to ensure we are best suited to provide support. Look here for a comprehensive list of all the National and Regional EFCs.

Moonshot can offer assistance free of charge if a community needs support in gaining access to federal and state infrastructure funding. In some states, this support may also be dependent on being listed as a disadvantaged community by the state. If Moonshot is selected as the suitable technical assistance provider, we will be delighted to offer these services free of charge.

You can access request for assistance intake forms on the USEPA website or contact your relevant Regional Environmental Finance Center. You can also request assistance from us here, and we will make sure your request gets a speedy response.

Communities in need of support to access federal and state infrastructure funds are eligible for free assistance from Environmental Finance Centers. In some states, a community needs to be classified as a disadvantaged community by the state. Please look here (Section I) for a helpful summary of how each state classifies disadvantaged communities.

Absolutely yes. Moonshot provides technical assistance to any community of any size and often can provide assistance to communities free of charge even if they are not listed as disadvantaged. Moonshot can offer help to any rural, small and tribal community that is smaller than 10,000 in population free of charge. Please make contact and we will help determine eligibility. If you are not eligible for EFC support, Moonshot has other programs that may be able to help. If you are able to pay, we will seek a suitable contract and compensation for this work. As a non-profit, our rates are very reasonable.