Ukrainian civil society has formed a tightly knit network of volunteer fundraisers that may seem chaotic at first glance but is, in reality, remarkably effective. This is a key finding of the study The Third Sector as Third Power: Study of Resource Mobilization by Ukrainian Civil Society in 2022-2023 conducted by the Institute of Professional Fundraising with ISAR Ednannia support under the project Ukraine Civil Society Sectoral Support Activity.
The study reveals that 63% of Ukrainians personally donated to the needs of defenders and civilians affected by the war, while 13% participated in charity fundraising efforts. Interestingly, nearly half of the donors contributed exclusively to military support, over 14% donated to humanitarian causes, and a third supported both. Overall, donation volumes have fluctuated since 2022. While almost half of the respondents reported continuing to donate at similar levels as at the start of the full-scale invasion, a third have reduced their contributions, and nearly 8% have stopped donating altogether.
An analysis of the study on fundraising appeals shows that personal requests from friends, acquaintances, and colleagues were the most effective, with 55% of people responding to these. Additionally, one-third of donors reacted to charitable organizations' social media posts and messenger channels, while traditional media or impersonal appeals had much less impact.
This research will benefit professional fundraisers and individuals looking to raise funds for humanitarian or military needs. The full text of the study is available in the ISAR Ednannia Analytical Library.
This study 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).
