How to Build Sustainable Cooperation Between Community Foundations and Businesses Through Corporate Funds?
This was the focus of a two-day training in Vinnytsia, organized by the Podilska Hromada Community Foundation for participants of our network. The key idea of the event, voiced by the foundation’s director, Olena Danilova, was simple yet meaningful: “Why do you need this cooperation with business?” It is important not only to know the schemes and tools, but also to understand whether there are resources, a clear proposal, and shared values to make the partnership mutually beneficial and sustainable.
During the training, participants learned to analyze business needs, develop proposals — from scholarship programs to project competitions — and assess risks. Podilska Hromada shared its own experience of creating seven corporate funds: from supporting talented children with the TIK band to preserving cultural traditions with the Ukrainochka network.
The event was enriched by direct insights from business representatives. Viktor Bronyuk emphasized that the most important thing is the result of the assistance, advising to clearly and confidently formulate the request, work it through with the team, and build personal trust at the start of cooperation. Vitalii Barchuk highlighted that businesses are more likely to support when they see effectiveness and feel involved in the process, viewing money only as a tool to achieve goals.
Summing up the training, Olena Danilova noted that it is possible to explain the work with corporate funds in an hour, but the real value lies in participants leaving with concrete ideas and plans they can implement in their communities.
