New Survey: Americans Cite Climate, Health, and Clean Water

XPRIZE Launches 2025 Impact Report Announcing $31B in Breakthroughs Across These and Broader Global Challenges

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Culver City, CA, September 18, 2025 - Climate change, clean water, and healthy aging top the list of global concerns for Americans, according to new national polling released today by XPRIZE. Nearly two-thirds (62%) identify climate change as the most pressing issue of our time, while 60% point to poor health. The majority also call for solutions around water and food access — causes nearly half of respondents say they would most likely support with donations.

These findings mirror the focus of the newly released 2025 XPRIZE Impact Report, which details how XPRIZE competitions are driving solutions in precisely these areas. With $519M in prizes unlocking more than $31B in measurable global impact — a 60x ROI — XPRIZE is demonstrating that catalytic philanthropy delivers the breakthroughs the world cares about most.

“This survey underscores a simple truth: people want bold solutions,” said Anousheh Ansari, CEO of XPRIZE, recognized today as one of the 2025 Forbes Sustainability Leaders for defining what climate leadership looks like today. “Our 2025 Impact Report shows those solutions are possible through focused incentives – delivering breakthroughs once thought impossible. The results clearly demonstrate how the XPRIZE model creates leverage by turning $519 million in prizes into more than $31 billion in real-world impact.”

These results come at a pivotal moment as funding shortages affect hundreds of initiatives. Notably, funding for health research declined by 28% in the last six months, as well as climate-related research and programs, the top two concerns for Americans, according to the new data.

81% say funding solutions for clean water is critical — XPRIZE Water Scarcity teams are innovating more sustainable and affordable seawater desalination solutions.
62% cite climate change as their top concern — XPRIZE Carbon Removal teams have secured landmark deals with global companies to scale carbon removal solutions.
60% name health as a top global challenge — XPRIZE Healthspan teams are advancing research and solutions to make healthy aging more accessible.

FUNDING AT A CROSSROADS: AMERICANS EAGER FOR INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

Against this backdrop of a funding shortage, the survey reveals that most Americans don’t know who they would trust to solve key issues.

Nearly one third of respondents do not know who to trust or believe there is a gap when it comes to leading change for issues such as climate change (34%), poor health and limited longevity (30%), inadequate education (29%), challenges and risks related to technology and AI (35%), and lack of access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy (30%).
A third of Americans (35%) believe collaboration across governments, business, and communities is the most effective path to solving global issues.
Nearly 1 in 3 cited creating new innovative solutions (30%) and expanding proven strategies (31%) as highly effective approaches to solving global issues – a core premise of the XPRIZE model.

XPRIZE IMPACT REPORT: PROOF OF CATALYTIC PHILANTHROPY

The 2025 Impact Report showcases the measurable outcomes of more than three decades of incentive competitions:

Competing XPRIZE teams increased capital raised by over 300% — from $1.9B pre-prize to $7.6B during and post-prize — demonstrating the transformative effect of XPRIZE competitions.
Teams have generated 9,745 patents and are cited in more than 3,350 peer-reviewed publications demonstrating meaningful innovation.

“XPRIZE competitions are powered by innovators who redefine what’s possible — and sustained by donors and partners who believe in human potential,” said Andrew Tauhert, Chief Impact Officer at XPRIZE. “The 2025 Impact Report proves this is a powerful and effective model to tackle grand challenges and drive lasting, system-wide change.”

LOOKING AHEAD: A VISION FOR 2040

The 2025 Impact Report demonstrates what is possible today and it sets the stage for XPRIZE’s vision for 2040 — a future where equitable access to food, water, housing, education, health, and sustainable energy is a reality for all. Achieving this vision requires bold ideas, impact-driven philanthropy, and collective commitment. Over the next 15 years, XPRIZE aims to unlock more than $30 billion in additional impact to confront humanity’s most urgent challenges.

The full 2025 XPRIZE Impact Report is available here.

About XPRIZE
XPRIZE is the recognized global leader in designing and executing large-scale competitions to solve humanity's greatest challenges. For over 30 years, our unique model has democratized crowd-sourced innovation and scientifically scalable solutions that accelerate a more equitable and abundant future. Donate, learn more, and co-architect a world of abundance with us at xprize.org.

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