HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco Rewards Alison Hill, CEO of LifeStraw, with the 2025 Prince’s Prize for Innovative Philanthropy

On the occasion of the 14th edition of the Prince’s Roundtable on Philanthropy, held on Monday 6 October 2025 at the Yacht Club de Monaco, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco awarded the 2025 Prince’s Prize for Innovative Philanthropy to Alison Hill, CEO of LifeStraw, in recognition of her remarkable contribution to advancing access to safe drinking water worldwide.

This year’s Roundtable was dedicated to the theme “Science in Peril: A New Agenda for Philanthropy.” Since its creation in 2011, the event—an initiative jointly led by the Tocqueville Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation—has brought together leading international philanthropists for a high-level discussion aimed at fostering strategic, collaborative, and innovative philanthropy.

Championing Safe Water for All

At the head of LifeStraw, a global company dedicated to providing safe water through innovation in filtration and purification, Alison Hill has successfully combined business acumen with social commitment. Over the past decade, she has transformed LifeStraw from a humanitarian-focused brand into a thriving social enterprise, expanding its reach across outdoor, home, and emergency markets while maintaining strong humanitarian roots.

Under her leadership, LifeStraw has provided more than 11.8 million children with access to safe drinking water through its Give Back Programme, which ensures that for every product sold, one child receives a year of safe water.

Honoured to receive this distinction, Alison Hill said “We can do good and be profitable — corporate social responsibility is not a cost centre, it’s a profit driver. It is a community gatherer. It creates long-term commitment to a brand beyond just providing a consumer product. That matters more than we often realize.”

About LifeStraw

Founded by Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, LifeStraw emerged from humanitarian efforts to eradicate Guinea worm disease in partnership with The Carter Center. Today, the company designs advanced water filtration and purification systems used in more than 64 countries.

Reinvesting 7.5% of its annual revenue (USD 65 million) into humanitarian programmes, LifeStraw employs over 100 people—more than half of whom are dedicated to social impact. Its technologies have been deployed in humanitarian crises such as Haiti (2010), Pakistan (2010), Thailand (2011), Ecuador (2016), and more recently in Gaza, Zambia, and Ukraine.

Through its Safe Water Fund and Give Back Programme, the company supports long-term water access projects in schools and vulnerable communities, while its emergency response teams deliver clean water in disaster zones. To date, over 40 million LifeStraw filters have been distributed toward the eradication of Guinea worm disease—an achievement expected by 2027.

Celebrating Strategic and Inspiring Philanthropy

The Prince’s Prize for Innovative Philanthropy was created as a joint initiative of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Tocqueville Foundation to recognise and support projects that renew and inspire philanthropy in the service of sustainable societal innovation.

"Through this Prize, we wish to highlight those who turn vision into action,” said Olivier Wenden, Vice-President and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. "Alison Hill and LifeStraw perfectly embody this spirit of impactful philanthropy, where innovation and personal commitment come together to deliver tangible solutions that benefit both people and the planet."

"By presenting this Prize, we wish to highlight the power of civil society’s commitment to the common good. Alison Hill and LifeStraw have already had a considerable impact on the lives of millions, bringing simple, effective solutions to essential challenges. In the spirit of Alexis de Tocqueville, they show that every citizen can, through their actions, contribute to the progress of all,” said Jean Guillaume de Tocqueville, Founder and CEO of the Tocqueville Foundation.

About the Prince’s Roundtable on Philanthropy

Launched in 2011, the Prince’s Roundtable on Philanthropy is an annual, invitation-only forum co-organised by the Tocqueville Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, bringing together leading philanthropists from around the world to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore collaborative approaches to global challenges.

Each year, the Roundtable addresses a major issue through the lens of philanthropy, with distinguished speakers offering their insights and perspectives. Many participants also serve on the evaluation and selection committee of the Prince’s Prize for Innovative Philanthropy.

©Michael Alesi Palais Princier