As the humanitarian crisis continues in Ukraine, immediate needs surrounding physical safety, immigration, access to food and medicine, trauma support and more are being lifted up for philanthropy to support Ukrainian citizens.

Nick Deychakiwsky, senior program officer for Civil Society at the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, a CMF member, was a featured speaker in a briefing hosted by the Council on Foundations (COF) last week, sharing his own personal and professional connections to Ukraine and how philanthropy can support the immediate and ongoing humanitarian needs. 

Deychakiwsky is of Ukrainian heritage and lived and worked in Ukraine for nearly a decade in various roles supporting democratic and economic reform. In 2000, he joined the Mott Foundation working in the foundation’s former Prague office, where he was responsible for grantmaking in Russia, Ukraine Belarus and Moldova until late 2006. Deychakiwsky has loved ones currently in the region. 

“It’s surreal that the cities, the streets you walk on are being bombed. The outpouring of solidarity from the world, including philanthropy, has been tremendous and overwhelming,” Deychakiwsky said. “This is a global struggle; it’s about the people of Ukraine but it is a struggle against authoritarianism. The philanthropic response is happening at all levels, in whatever way they can. We know that there are people that have made it to safety, there are over one million refugees already and their needs are immediate.” 

The Open Society Foundations shared during the COF briefing that it is pledging an initial $25 million to launch the newly formed Ukraine Democracy Fund to urge other funders to join in supporting civil society in Ukraine. 

This initiative builds on Open Society’s more than three decades of work in Eastern Europe to support human rights organizations, independent journalists, and other civil society groups. The goal of the fund is to join with private foundations, philanthropists and the private sector to raise $100 million over the duration of the crisis. If you are interested in supporting, please connect with Gregory Maniatis, director, office of the vice President, Global Programs at Open Society for more information. 

Deychakiwsky shared that beyond the immediate needs philanthropy will need to consider median and long-term needs associated with trauma and displacement among those fleeing Ukraine.  

We are sharing a roundup of resources and ways you can help the people of Ukraine: 

Established Funds

•    The Ukraine Coalition has created a GoFundMe to support vulnerable communities impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Every dollar donated will be sent to nonprofit organizations working rapidly on the ground to provide relief through medical services, food, shelter, education and more.

•    The U.S State Department in partnership with GoFundMe has created a Ukraine Humanitarian Fund. All donations raised will be distributed to verified nonprofit organizations supporting vulnerable communities to obtain access to shelter, food, medical services, education and psychosocial support, as well as other people impacted.

•    The Razom Emergency Response was created to provide urgent help and support in face of extreme and unforeseen situations in Ukraine. They are purchasing medical supplies for critical situations like blood loss. 

•    Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights (UAF) is committed to supporting women, trans and nonbinary activists on the ground in and surrounding Ukraine by providing flexible funding and security support. UAF has created an Urgent Response Fund for Ukraine. 

•    Global Fund for Children is accepting emergency support for children in Ukraine facing trauma, hunger and freezing temperatures. Their local partners are mobilizing to provide food, warm clothing, fuel and safe shelter to children and families under attack in Ukraine and to refugees fleeing the country.

•    The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) has created the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Recovery Fund which will focus on addressing humanitarian needs that arise, particularly among the most vulnerable and at-risk displaced people and refugees.

•    CARE has established a Ukraine Crisis Fund to support immediate aid and recovery, food, water, hygiene kits, mental health support and cash assistance - prioritizing women and girls, families and seniors.  

Upcoming Webinars

•    On March 10, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy is hosting a webinar to discuss complex humanitarian emergencies, including the crisis in Ukraine. 

•    For members of Technology Association of Grantmakers, join the Accenture Global Cyber Defense team tomorrow, March, 8, as they provide an overview of the current cybersecurity threat landscape, as well as relevant cybersecurity measures that non-profit organizations can take to increase security and resiliency.

Additional Resources

•    Watch the full recording of the Council on Foundations’ briefing.

•    Amnesty International works to protect the human rights of Ukrainians and protect Ukrainians at risk.

•    UAF is sharing a list of Ukrainian community-based, feminist, LGBTQ+, youth, disability and Roma organizations that are accepting donations directly. 

•    USAID’s Center for International Disaster Information is sharing a list of relief organizations responding in Ukraine. 

•    Here’s a list of community foundations in Ukraine seeking support. 

•    United Help Ukraine is distributing donations, food and medical supplies to Ukrainian refugees, people of Ukraine affected by the ongoing conflict and families of those who have been wounded or killed. 

•    CDP has developed a Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis page that provides ways to help and resources for philanthropy.

•    Candid is tracking philanthropic donations to support organizations working in Ukraine. If you are providing support to Ukraine please provide data to Candid. 

•    The Ukrainian American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan is sharing several organizations that support the people of Ukraine.

•    The International Committee of the Red Cross is helping people affected by the conflict and is supporting the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross.

•    Philanthropy Europe Foundation is tracking information and responses to the ongoing crisis.