How to Choose a Ukrainian Organization to Support

How to Choose a Ukrainian Organization to Support

Since February 24, 2022, the whole world has learned about Ukraine. Not as a part of Russia, not as a remnant of the USSR, not just a country known for Chernobyl, borscht, embroidered shirts, and flower crowns. People have discovered the real Ukraine: a country of hospitable, strong, courageous, and creative people who work for a progressive future, who do not give up in the face of adversity, who plan for peace even in times of war, who do not just think about rebuilding but reimagining destroyed cities for a better life. Ukrainians have shown the world their resilience, dedication, and incredible work ethic. Many of our international partners are still amazed at how quickly and efficiently we mobilize and respond to challenges.

Perhaps this is why Ukraine receives significant solidarity and support from around the world—humanitarian aid, grants, and private donations. Many people choose to support Ukrainians by funding humanitarian organizations. However, not all financial aid reaches Ukraine as intended.

The National Network for the Development of Local Philanthropy, in cooperation with the international #ShiftThePower movement, has published an open letter to international NGOs and donors. The letter highlights the need to reduce bureaucracy, empower local organizations to set priorities, and provides recommendations on how international actors can express solidarity with Ukraine in the most effective way. It emphasizes investing in local organizations, enabling them to share their stories and showcase their impact. This fosters a deeper understanding and ensures direct access to resources. You can find the full text of the letter at [insert link].

How to Support a Ukrainian Local Organization?

If you want to support a Ukrainian local organization, you need to conduct due diligence. Here are the key steps our team follows when verifying volunteers and civil society organizations (CSOs):

Social Media

Every active foundation or CSO today will have at least a social media page where they share updates on their projects, reports, and announcements. Having active social media accounts is a good sign, but not a 100% guarantee of legitimacy.

Website

Some organizations rely solely on their websites. Pay attention to the following elements:

• Reports: Many initiatives were formed after the full-scale invasion and may not have financial reports for previous years. However, they should have case studies or success stories of ongoing projects.
• Leadership information: The names of the founder, director, or representative should be visible. People trust people. If no information is available, it’s a red flag.
• Partners: Check if the organization has received support from reputable entities. Do you recognize any of them?
• Membership in networks/associations: While not mandatory, organizations affiliated with larger networks or associations can provide references or recommendations.

Registration Verification

Organizations collecting donations should provide bank details, including their registration code (ЄДРПОУ). You can verify this code on platforms like YouControl, Deltasoft, Opendatabot. These services are in Ukrainian, but you can use Google Translate.

What to check:

• Date of registration: If the organization was registered after February 2022, ask for recommendations or references about the organization or its leadership.
• Leadership: Check whether the director is involved in multiple legal entities (e.g., businesses, NGOs) and whether those organizations have financial or legal issues.
• Founders: If listed, see who established the organization.
• Nonprofit status: Some platforms indicate whether the organization is officially classified as a nonprofit.

Reviews & Feedback

Search for the organization’s name in Google and Facebook to find reviews. Look for both positive and negative mentions.

What If an Organization Is Active on Social Media but Lacks a Website?

1. Ask for recommendations from those who have previously donated to or collaborated with the organization.
2. Request testimonials from beneficiaries (look for photo or video confirmations explicitly stating the organization’s name).
3. Check for references from other NGOs that support or collaborate with them.

This might seem like a long and tedious verification process, but in reality, it usually takes no more than 15 minutes.

Our team can help verify an organization, recommend reliable initiatives based on your priorities and interests, and advise on the best way to donate. We believe in the power of local civil society organizations and encourage you to support them directly.