Supporting the People of Ukraine

When a call for help is heard, our community answers. The generosity of those within our community stretches far beyond our Bay and Arenac County borders. Daily news headlines continue to share the atrocities occurring in Ukraine due to Russian invasion on February 24. Ukrainians are being forced to flee their homes and the land they love to seek refuge and safety. The United Nations estimates that 12 million people inside Ukraine need relief and protection, while more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees may need protection and assistance in neighboring countries in the coming months.

We know many Bay Area Community Foundation donors and community partners want to help the people of Ukraine during this critical time. The Council of Michigan Foundations has compiled a list of resources and ways you can support and help the people of Ukraine.

• The Ukraine Coalition has created a GoFundMe to support vulnerable communities impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Every dollar donated will be sent to nonprofit organizations working rapidly on the ground to provide relief through medical services, food, shelter, education and more.
• The U.S State Department in partnership with GoFundMe has created a Ukraine Humanitarian Fund. All donations raised will be distributed to verified nonprofit organizations supporting vulnerable communities to obtain access to shelter, food, medical services, education and psychosocial support, as well as other people impacted.
• The Razom Emergency Response was created to provide urgent help and support in face of extreme and unforeseen situations in Ukraine. They are purchasing medical supplies for critical situations like blood loss.
• Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights (UAF) is committed to supporting women, trans and nonbinary activists on the ground in and surrounding Ukraine by providing flexible funding and security support. UAF has created an Urgent Response Fund for Ukraine.
• Global Fund for Children is accepting emergency support for children in Ukraine facing trauma, hunger and freezing temperatures. Their local partners are mobilizing to provide food, warm clothing, fuel and safe shelter to children and families under attack in Ukraine and to refugees fleeing the country.
• The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) has created the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Recovery Fund which will focus on addressing humanitarian needs that arise, particularly among the most vulnerable and at-risk displaced people and refugees.
• CARE has established a Ukraine Crisis Fund to support immediate aid and recovery, food, water, hygiene kits, mental health support and cash assistance – prioritizing women and girls, families and seniors.
• Amnesty International works to protect the human rights of Ukrainians and protect Ukrainians at risk.
• USAID’s Center for International Disaster Information is sharing a list of relief organizations responding in Ukraine.
• The Ukrainian American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan is sharing several organizations that support the people of Ukraine.
• The International Committee of the Red Cross is helping people affected by the conflict and is supporting the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross.