Project Mission
During war, Ukraine NGOs (non-governmental organizations) are struggling to fundraise effectively within their country. Working as a team, volunteer prospect research professionals find and deliver U.S. donor prospects, and otherwise assist Ukraine NGOs with prospect research.
More Information and Project Updates
Project Story
- The Russo-Ukrainian War began in 2014 with Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity, also known as the Maidan Uprising or Euromaidan, which forced President Viktor Yanukovych into exile in Russia. Following this, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. For eight years following the annexation of Crimea, the war included naval incidents, cyberwarfare, and increasing political tensions. In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine which continues today.
- In response to An Urgent Appeal to the International NGO Community from Eugenia Mazurenko, CEO of Zaguriy Foundation in Ukraine, The Resource Alliance created and convened a workshop for Ukraine NGOs.
- Many NGOs in Ukraine were successfully fundraising within their country, but the war has made this near impossible. This has had a direct impact on the services that they can offer to children in hospitals, to war-orphans, elders, local enterprises, animal welfare and the environment.
- NGOs have had to pivot to finding funds internationally, which is challenging in the best of circumstances. They desperately need to find potential donors outside Ukraine.
- Chris Carnie of Factary attended the kick-off meeting and suggested relationship mapping for potential funders outside Ukraine.
- Jen Filla met with Chris and Melody Song from The Resource Alliance to discuss how U.S. researchers might help identify funding prospects for Ukraine NGOs.
- Jen identified the Approach to Prospecting course as a framework for organizing a small group individual researchers to walk through the project together. As part of their course work they would interview appropriate parties, develop aligned search criteria and strategies, and deliver prospects.
- In 2023, the Ukraine Volunteer Group worked with two NGOs, delivering prospects lists and meeting with fundraisers on prospect strategy. Out of the initial cohort, a core group of four researchers continue to work together.
Ukraine NGOs: How to Get Help
If you are a Ukraine NGO and would like prospect researchers to help you find and connect with potential U.S. donors, you can take the following steps:
- Read How it Works
- Review the Requirement Checklist
- Complete the Application
How it Works
- The Research Volunteers meet with you to understand your organization and the need.
- Research Volunteers find and research potential donors, delivering them as agreed.
- You, the Ukraine NGO, try to contact the potential donors.
- Follow-up meeting to see if more help is needed with the list of potential donors.
- Research Volunteers provide more research as needed and meet or email with you over time to find out how they can help you reach the potential donors.
Requirement Checklist
If you answer “Yes” to all of the questions below, Research Volunteers can probably help you!
- Is your NGO headquartered in and serve Ukraine?
- Do you speak English?
- Can you meet on video over the internet?
- Can you email and access files on the internet?
- Are you prepared and able to contact US potential donors?
Ukraine NGO Application
Apply Now: https://spire2.wufoo.com/forms/r1ox9n160cbg5n8
You should receive an email from the Research Volunteers within 1 week.
Questions? Contact jen@prospectresearchinstitute.org
Researchers: How to Volunteer
Would you like to volunteer to work through the Approach to Prospecting course with Ukraine NGOs as your client organizations?
Read the following project requirements. If you still want to apply, click the link to the application: https://spire2.wufoo.com/forms/r1dtfwp61yrwp6z/
Project Requirements
- Willing to commit to working as a team to identify prospects.
- Volunteers receive access to the Approach to Prospecting course in exchange for delivering identified prospects to NGOs in Ukraine.
- Volunteers coordinate to meet and communicate about their work.
- Volunteers should expect to spend 2 to 5 hours in any given week on course materials and homework. Prospecting is time-consuming work!
Want to apply to be a volunteer?
Apply now: https://spire2.wufoo.com/forms/r1dtfwp61yrwp6z
Questions? Contact jen@prospectresearchinstitute.org
More Information and Project Updates
Visit and Support Ukraine NGO participants:
- Tabletochki Charity Foundation is a Ukrainian non-profit organization on a mission to ensure that no Ukrainian child dies of cancer.
- Promprylad Foundation is a part of Promprylad.Renovation. A mission-driven community platform which develops sustainable solutions for Ukrainians who decided to stay in Ukraine despite the war and those who plan to return as soon as it will be possible.
- National Association of Media (NAM) is on a mission to protect freedom of speech, develop a free media market, and promote the prosperity of the members of the association.
Podcast | Volunteering Research for Ukraine with Nilufa Begum