5 things you didn’t know about how charitable organizations work
Charity in Ukraine has long been a part of our culture. People help each other, volunteer, donate, and come together when it is most needed. But along with trust come questions: Why can’t the foundation help in every specific case? Where does the money come from? How does the team work?
We have compiled 5 important facts that will help you better understand how charitable organizations function — gently, honestly, and without criticizing any of our colleagues in the sector.
- Foundations cannot help everyone — and this is not about indifference
Each foundation has its own specialization: animals, children, veterans, low-income families, inclusion, humanitarian aid, etc.
This is not just a choice — it is determined by statutes, work focuses, and donor requirements.
For example, if a foundation implements a project for IDPs of a certain category or registration date, it is obliged to follow the rules.
Even when the team really wants to support everyone, sometimes it is physically or legally impossible.
So “no” often means not a lack of desire to help, but restrictions that guarantee transparency and honesty in the work.
- During the war, many functions of the state are performed by foundations — but they are not obliged to do so for everyone
Charitable organizations lend a helping hand where it is more difficult to respond quickly: evacuation, shelter, humanitarian aid, community support, work with children, psychological sessions.
But it is important to remember:
assistance from charitable organizations and NGOs is a voluntary activity, not an obligation to all citizens.
Teams do this not because they “have to,” but because they want to and can.
It is about humanity, community, and the desire to be a support — as much as our resources allow.
- Charity is a right, not a requirement
Ukrainian law clearly states that charitable activities are voluntary.
This means that any assistance — whether financial, resource-based, or volunteer-based — is a gesture of goodwill, not something that someone “owes” to someone else.
This freedom makes charity genuine.
And it is this freedom that allows people to feel that they are participating in change, rather than fulfilling an obligation.
- Free help does not mean that it costs nothing
The beneficiary does not pay — but someone else does.
This could be:
- donor funds,
- the team’s time and work,
- renting space,
- making merch,
- specialists working at events,
- equipment and logistics.
When we get something really big as charity, we try to highlight it as much as possible because the culture of kindness is based on mutual respect.
- Where do charitable foundations get their money?
✔️ Grant applications
Foundations write applications, compete for grants, and report on each expense item.
Up to 20% of the grant budget can be used for administrative expenses — the rest goes exclusively to projects.
✔️ Business partnerships
Companies support social initiatives — this is a modern approach to corporate responsibility.
✔️ Collaborations
Sometimes organizations exchange resources, hold joint events, and teach each other.
✔️ Private donations
People can support the foundation directly: by mail, on the website, during events.
Foreigners also get involved — sometimes not even with money, but with contacts, advice, and publicity.
✔️ Events and campaigns
Festivals, fairs, and workshops are a way to raise funds, build a community, and spread the word about projects.
✔️ Cooperation with politicians
Many foundations are actually subsidiary initiatives of political forces — and this is normal international practice.
But there are also independent foundations, such as Rise of Ukraine, which adhere to the principle of apoliticality.
✔️ Donations
We do not raise funds for our activities among Ukrainians, with the exception of individual projects.
But anyone can support the foundation through the website or help in other ways — for example, by donating books to the library.
Charity is the daily work of many people. It involves documentation, reports, logistics, negotiations, training, checks, deadlines, backup plans, and the enormous care that the team puts into each project.
At Rise, we work transparently: reports are available on the website, and any questions can be answered by email or direct message.
Because charity is not magic.
It is a joint effort.
And the warmest changes are born where we make them together — together with Rise 💙💛
