The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has shocked the world and drawn the attention of the international community. The conflict has turned civilians into territorial defenders, brought a famous pilot out of retirement, and seen massive misinformation campaigns across the internet. People all over the globe are showing their support for Ukrainians and their fight for freedom with public demonstrations and protests condemning Russian aggression. Additionally, private donations are helping to fund both humanitarian and military efforts in Ukraine. Here are four great ways that you can donate.
1. TAPS Ukraine
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors started in the United States to help Gold Star family members navigate their grief. TAPS works closely with the DOD. Founder Bonnie Carroll was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for the incredible services provided by TAPS. Following the outbreak of fighting in the Donbas Region of Ukraine in 2014, the US State Department approached TAPS to help Ukraine develop their own program. TAPS Ukraine was founded in 2018 and has provided counseling, seminars and other resources to thousands of Ukrainian Gold Star families. However, following the 2022 invasion, the organization has expanded their mission. TAPS Ukraine volunteers are feeding and caring for thousands of defenders and refugees while also evacuating civilians, manning and securing checkpoints, and building Molotov Cocktails. Tax deductible donations to TAPS International are transmitted directly to TAPS Ukraine to purchase essential supplies from baby formula and sleeping bags to tactical gloves and boots.
2. World Central Kitchen
Founded by a Spanish Navy veteran, World Central Kitchen brings humanitarian aid in the form of meals following disasters. They brought meals to Haiti after the 2010 and 2021 earthquakes and were the first ones on the ground in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. WCK has been recognized by the White House for their professionalism and efficiency in humanitarian relief. Within hours of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the first WCK team was on the ground in Poland. Since then, WCK has expanded its meal service operations to Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, and even into Ukraine itself. “We’ve been feeding within Kyiv. We’ve been feeding in Odessa. We’ve been feeding in cities that right now are under siege,” WCK founder José Andrés told Yahoo Life. “I think the last report I got from my team today is that we are already in the north of 150,000 meals a day.” Donations to WCK are tax deductible and help to fund their mission to feed thousands of refugees daily.
3. Come Back Alive
Founded in 2014 after the Russian annexation of Crimea and fighting in Donbas, Come Back Alive is the biggest organization providing support directly to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. CBA does not purchase arms for the military. Rather, they supply technology, training, and ammunition with the donations that they receive. Since 2014, the organization has provided around 1,000 thermal imagers, over 250 UAVs, and 1,500 tablets to the military. “Our organization is aimed at saving lives, not putting them in danger,” CBA states on their website. Moreover, CBA proudly supports Ukrainian service members after the fight with medical assistance and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, donations to CBA are not tax deductible since it is a foreign organization and not a US-based 501(c)(3). Still, the items they provide are essential to Ukraine’s fight for freedom and their services will be even more valuable to Ukrainian service members once the fighting is done.
4. National Bank of Ukraine
On February 24, 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion and the declaration of martial law, the National Bank of Ukraine opened two special fundraising accounts. These accounts allow private individuals to donate directly to the Armed Forces of Ukraine or the Ministry of Social Policy. Donations to the armed forces help to fund Ukraine’s military in its fight against the Russian invasion. Meanwhile, donations to the MSP provide food, shelter, clothing, medicine, and other essential items to refugees and internally displaced persons. “Russian aggression deprived thousands of Ukrainians of their home, money, clothes, food, and other basic things. However, Ukraine and the rest of the world would not leave them alone with their grief,” said NBU Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko during the announcement of the special accounts. “Unlike the special account that has been opened to finance the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, money from [the Ministry of Social Policy] account will be used to help those hardest-hit by the war with Russia.” It must be noted that private donations to either of the NBU special accounts are not tax deductible. However, donations go directly to the Ukrainian government to fund the fight and provide essential aid to its citizens.