Around 1000 Ukrainian charitable organizations and volunteer initiatives representatives gathered in Kyiv for the Heroes’ Backbone Professional Fundraisers’ Summit. This is the second Summit organized by ISAR Ednannia, a Ukrainian non-governmental organization that has been nurturing civil society, promoting strategic philanthropy, and strengthening democratic initiatives in Ukraine for 25 years.
This year's theme, Heroes’ Backbone, highlights the critical role fundraisers play in providing resources for those engaged in heroic efforts — volunteers, philanthropists, civil activists, and organizations working for the public good. The Summit features participants from the Office of the President, USAID/Ukraine Mission, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, the International Renaissance Foundation, the European Endowment for Democracy, the Serhiy Prytula Charitable Foundation, the Come Back Alive Foundation, the Tabletochki Charitable Foundation, the Your Support Charitable Foundation, the Volunteer and Protection Center, and 30 other notable speakers.
"It is hard to overestimate the role of charitable organizations and volunteer initiatives in saving Ukraine from the brutal enemy that has come to us with aggressive war. Much of the support for our defenders relies on you. You help displaced persons and those affected by the horrors of war. You aid us in advocating for our country's interests abroad and organizing cultural diplomacy events. On behalf of the United24 platform, thank you for your work. Volunteers are the people on whom our independence rests," said Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and speaker for the global fundraising platform United24 Olena Kovalska in her welcoming speech to the Summit participants.
Speaking at the Summit, ODG Program Management Specialist, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Anna Novak emphasized that the United States stands firmly with Ukraine and its civil society, which has already proven its strength and dedication, especially in the face of the full-scale invasion.
"To effectively fulfill their missions, civil society and charitable organizations need both financial support and institutional capacity building. So, USAID is actively investing in the organizational development of Ukrainian civil society organizations. We understand that strong organizations are capable of implementing projects and can independently attract resources, develop effective fundraising strategies, and address the challenges they face," noted a USAID representative.
The Heroes’ Backbone Professional Fundraisers' Summit will feature an exchange of best practices from charitable organizations and volunteer initiatives, along with innovative approaches and real-world case studies from leading fundraising experts.
“We thank everyone who supports our Heroes. Your energy, dedication, and incredible ingenuity in organizing collections for the needs of the Armed Forces, families of defenders, children, the elderly, displaced persons, and all those in need are truly remarkable. The amounts raised are inspiring. Throughout the war, Ukrainians have proven themselves to be the best fundraisers in the world – professional and motivated. However, even the Heroes’ backbone after ten years of war, are growing weary and in need of support. That is why ISAR Ednannia is hosting this Summit, to support those who help others and to discuss the challenges and prospects of strategic philanthropy in Ukraine during the war with representatives of leading charitable, civil society organizations, and volunteer initiatives," emphasized ISAR Ednannia’s Executive Director Volodymyr Sheyhus.
This event is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) within the Ukraine Civil Society Sectoral Support Activity implemented by ISAR Ednannia in partnership with the Ukrainian Center of Independent Political Research (UCIPR) and Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law (CEDEM) and also with the support of the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU) financed by partner countries, and with Ukrainska Pravda informational support.
