In this episode of the Philanthropisms podcast we talk to Monica Stryker, network coordinator of Foundations for Ukraine, about the role philanthropy has played during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Foundations for Ukraine is a global network of philanthropic organisations working in and with Ukraine, bringing together philanthropies from Australia, Ukraine, Europe and North America.
The Network coordinates, convenes, supports learning and amplifies Ukraine on the global philanthropic agenda.
It also supports the development of local philanthropy in Ukraine and traces how engagement in Ukraine is changing philanthropic practices in ways increasingly relevant in a world of growing and competing urgent demands.
In the episode we discuss:
What was the context for philanthropy and civil society in Ukraine prior to the war?- Was there an increase in outside philanthropic support for Ukraine at the start of the war?
- Has this been maintained, or have we seen signs of donor fatigue?
- What types of sources has funding come from? (e.g. individuals, foundations, corporates?)
- Has support for Ukraine fit into the existing missions of foundations, or has it been seen as additional?
- How much philanthropic support is going to local Ukrainian organisation vs large INGOs?
- How much giving to Ukraine is bypassing traditional intermediaries and nonprofits – e.g. being given in the form of direct P2P gifts?
- How much domestic philanthropy has there been in Ukraine during the war?
- How have CSOs in Ukraine harnessed technology to drive donations?
- What needs is the funding being used to address?
- Is philanthropic support being used to pay for military resources as well as medical/humanitarian needs? Does the notion of ‘lethal aid’ test the boundaries of what we think of as philanthropy?
- Are there any practical challenges when it comes to getting funding to where it is needed?
- What have CSOs and philanthropy organisations in Ukraine done to adapt to the challenges of operating in a wartime context?
- Are there lessons for other funders and CSOs elsewhere? E.g. in terms of what civil society resilience looks like, or how we transition from operating in crisis mode to adapting to a new normal.
Further Resources
- Foundations for Ukraine
- Ukrainian Community Foundations Are Protecting Local Ownership, Even in Wartime, blog for Johnson Center for Philanthropy by Viktoriia Zablotska
- Charitable giving in wartime: Evidence from Ukraine’s war fundraising
- Citigroup blog, “Beyond Humanitarian Aid: Philanthropy Catalyzes Ukraine’s Recover“
- Philanthropisms podcast with Liv Egholm and Pia Gerber
