Legitimate Ways to Help Ukraine

Since Russia invaded Ukraine last month, countless fundraisers have been set up to help the Ukrainian people. The problem is that so many fundraisers have been created that it’s difficult to know which sources are the most credible. It’s important to decipher where your money will make the biggest impact.

I’ve compiled a list to highlight some legitimate sources that can help Ukraine, and what you should look out for when you’re trying to offer financial help during a disaster.

Where to Donate to Help Ukraine

Here are some legitimate ways to help Ukrainians in need, as well as others struggling with unrest in their countries. These organizations are highly rated on Charity Navigator, a site that vets charities based on their transparency, accountability and finances:

• Americares is delivering medicine, emergency supplies and funding to help people affected by the Ukraine crisis
• Global Giving has set up a fund specifically for Ukrainian crisis relief, which provides refugee assistance in accessing shelter, food, clean water, health and psychosocial support, and education and economic assistance.
• UNICEF is also working to help children caught in the middle of the crisis.
• World Central Kitchen, founded by chef José Andrés, has mobile kitchens stationed around the Ukrainian border to help feed refugees.
• Doctors Without Borders is also helping in Ukraine by training hospitals and sending medical staff and supplies to affected areas. 

What to Watch Out for

In addition to larger, well-known organizations accepting donations to help Ukraine, several fundraisers have opened on sites like GoFundMe by individuals, or small, grassroots organizations. Some people have also been booking Airbnbs that they’ll never visit, or purchasing from sites like Etsy to help small Ukrainian businesses.

The problem with some of these smaller-scale donations efforts is that it can be very difficult to determine what’s a scam, and what’s not. People do take advantage of crises for their own gain. Some of these scams can be very sophisticated. If you book an Airbnb in Ukraine, look for places with multiple reviews that date back before 2022. That should help weed out potential scams that were set up recently.

Airbnb has also partnered with the International Organization for Migration to offer housing for refugees, so that’s another option to consider.

Here are a few more resources to help you donate with confidence:

Best Ways to Donate Money After a Disaster

Charitable Giving: How to Work it into Your Life, Budget and Estate Planning

Natural Disasters: Prepare Your Family and Help Others