Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine represents the largest threat to worldwide peace and democracy in over 70 years. Foundations and NGOs worldwide are responding with donations to meet urgent humanitarian needs, defend human rights and support efforts to protect and preserve Ukraine's civil society infrastructure. Funders are also beginning to consider what supports will be needed in the longer-term.
Listed below is information about how philanthropy is and can respond to the unfolding crisis to support the people of Ukraine. We will continue to update this information as the situation develops.
Philanthropy Headlines
06.15.22|OPINION: A Major Philanthropic Response Is Needed to Halt Growing Human Trafficking of Ukrainian Refugees by Suzanne Hoff for the Chroncile of Philanthropy
Vulnerable people fleeing the war in Ukraine are facing abuse and exploitation at an escalating rate. Targeted donations are needed to help them find legitimate jobs and receive other vital services.
05.05.22 | $6.5 billion raised at donors’ conference for Ukraine by Vanessa Gera/AP for the Washington Post
War-ravaged Ukraine received pledges for $6.5 billion more in humanitarian aid at an international donor’s conference in Warsaw that sought to get Ukrainians urgent help while still planning for the country’s post-war reconstruction.
04.14.22 | Update: Philanthropy’s response to Ukraine crisis via Candid
Candid provides updated figures on the global philanthropic response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
03.28.22 | Mott's Been Funding in Ukraine for Nearly 30 Years — Here Are Four Things to Know via Inside Philanthropy
The C.S. Mott Foundation’s work to bolster civil society in Ukraine goes back to the end of the Cold War. As new philanthropy flows in to aid the beleaguered country, this article shares what Mott has been doing there for decades. Related: Mott senior program officer for Civil Society Nick Deychakiwsky shares his personal insights and suggestions for how philanthropy can to continue to support Ukraine.
03.20.22 | Foundations, corporations providing support for Ukraine
New funding commitments announced by foundations and corporations to provide humanitarian and other aid to Ukraine.
03.15.22 | Key partners from the European philanthropy sector launch ‘Philanthropy for Ukraine’ & ‘NGOs for Ukraine’ online portals
Several organizations from the European philanthropy sector collaborated to launch two integrated online portals, PhilanthropyForUkraine.eu and NGOforUkraine.eu. The initiative aims to better coordinate the efforts, initiatives and calls for donations from the European philanthropy sector and NGO community in Ukraine and neighboring countries.
05.15.22 | Funding for Ukraine: An Incomplete Response by Rachel Thomas, director of research initiatives at Human Rights Funders Network,
In this post, Thomas explains that the data available so far on philanthropy's response to the war in Ukraine paints an "incomplete picture" of what is needed in terms of human rights considerations.
03.10.22 | The Pincus Family Foundation has issued $50,000 in emergency grants to support affected children and families, donating $10,000 each to: CARE for its Ukraine Crisis Fund; Nova Ukraine; Tikva Odessa; The International Rescue Committee: and World Central Kitchen.
03.09.22 | Supporting Ukraine and the values of democracy by Darren Walker, Ford Foundation
To date, the Ford Foundaton has committed $1 million to the IRC’s Ukraine Emergency Response Fund and $1 million to the Open Society Foundations’ Ukraine Democracy Fund, which will bolster the work of many civil society organizations and demand accountability through the documentation of war crimes.
03.03.22 | Open Society Launches Fund for a Free and Democratic Ukraine (press release)
Open Society Foundations are pledging an initial $25 million to launch the Ukraine Democracy Fund and urge other funders to join us in supporting civil society in Ukraine in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assault on democracy.
03.01.22 | The War in Ukraine Requires a Major Philanthropic Response and Overall Increase in Peace and Security Funding
By Alexandra I. Toma, Executive Director of the Peace and Security Funders Group (PSFG) for the Chronicle of Philanthropy
Events
PAST SESSIONS
[Resources] Open Mic Conversation on Ukraine
Friday, March 18, 2022 |Hosted by Mission Investors Exchange
[Recording] Complex Humanitarian Emergencies: Where crisis, conflict, climate and COVID-19 meet
March 10, 2002 | Hosted by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy
[Recording] Philanthropy's Response to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis
March 3, 2022 | Hosted by the Council on Foundations and the U.S. State Department
Sources for donation information
Local
- Center for High Impact Philanthropy guidance on where to donate (03.05.22)
- Via The Philadelphia Citizen - How to Help Ukraine Right Now
- The Philadelphia Inquirer is compiling a list of some organizations currently helping people in Ukraine. You can email them with any suggestions for nonprofits they should consider adding to the list.
National
- Guidance for making grants to support Ukraine via Candid
- Philanthropic response to the war in Ukraine via Candid
- Corporate Response to the Crisis in Ukraine via ACCP
- Philanthropy Responds: A Round-up of Efforts to Support Ukraine via Inside Philanthropy
- The Center for Disaster Philanthropy has begun to develop a disaster profile for the crisis unfolding in Ukraine. While the critical needs are still being assessed, they have established the CDP Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Recovery Fund that will focus on addressing humanitarian needs that arise, particularly among the most vulnerable, marginalized and at-risk internally-displaced peoples (IDPs) and refugees.
- Council on Foundations – The Council is compiling resources to guide the philanthropic response to the Ukrainian crisis.
- Fidelity Charitable - In partnership with the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Fidelity compiled a list of organizations that are offering relief for refugees and internally-displaced Ukrainians, or assisting with other needs, such as providing support to journalists, medical workers and others aiding Ukrainians.
International
- International Renaissance Foundation - founded by the George Soros and part of the Open Society Foundations international network, IRF is one of the largest Ukrainian charitable foundations and has been working to develop an open society in Ukraine since 1990.
- Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights - a feminist fund that protects, strengthens and sustains women and transgender human rights defenders at critical moments. Their rapid response Urgent Action Fund: Ukraine will support women, trans, and nonbinary activists on the ground in and surrounding Ukraine by providing flexible funding and security support.
- Outright Action International – organization supporting human right for LGBTIQ people; the group is currently raising funds to provide shelter, safety and security for LGBTIQ Ukrainians.
- Philaea - an organization formed by the merger of Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (Dafne) and the European Foundation Centre (EFC), has started a resource page that they will continue to update.
Related Articles
04.26.22 | Six ways philanthropic organizations can support human rights and health for Ukrainians by Christian De Vos, director of research and investigations at Physicians for Human Rights
04.10.22 | One certainty amid U.S. welcoming 100,000 Ukrainian refugees: People are coming to Philly by Jeff Gammage and Jonathan Tamari for the Philadelphia Inquirer
04.08.22 | Helping Ukrainians Means Listening to Their Needs — 3 Lessons for Aid Groups From Syria’s War by Kimberly Howe and Elizabeth Stites, Tufts University
04.06.22 | Amid War, a Clear and Collective Call to Support Public Interest Media in Ukraine by Vincent Stehle, Executive Director of Media Impact Funders
04.06.22 | Scream and shout: Philly benefit album features Ukrainian hardcore bands by Peter Crimmins for WHYY
03.28.22 | How Donors Can Continue to Support Humanitarian Efforts in Ukraine by Joan Allmaras, Philanthropic Services Specialist for National Philanthropic Trust
03.22.22 | A quarter of Americans have donated to supported Ukraine, survey finds via Candid
03.16.22 | Philly historic sites to donate Saturday proceeds to help children in Ukraine by Tom McDonald for WHYY
03.15.22 | Ukraine Invasion’s Ripple Effects Must Command Philanthropy’s Attention, Head of Soros Foundation Says by Alex Daniels for for the Chronicle of Philanthropy
03.12.22 | A Montgomery County food festival raises funds for Ukraine’s armed forces by Max Marin for the Philadelphia Inquirer
03.11.22 | A Wave of Grassroots Humanitarianism Is Supporting Millions of Ukrainian Refugees by Elizabeth Cullen Dunn, Indiana University for the Chronicle of Philanthropy
03.07.22| ‘Pa. stands with Ukraine.’ Gov. Tom Wolf calls on Legislature to support refugees, divest from Russia by Marley Parish for the Pennsylvania Capital Star
03.03.22 | ‘It’s Not Like Anything I’ve Ever Seen': Aid Groups Report Overwhelming Donor Response for Ukraine by Drew Lindsay for the Chronicle of Philanthropy
03.03.22 | Philly restaurant fundraiser to help children in Ukraine by Mark Eichmann for WHYY
03.02.22 | Companies and Foundations Mobilize Grant Making to Humanitarian Efforts in Ukraine by M.J. Prest for the Chronicle of Philanthropy
03.02.22 | In Ukraine, a Vindication for OSF and a Call for More Global Democracy Funding by Philip Rojc for Inside Philanthropy