The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is heartbreaking and complex. In many ways, it is similar to a natural disaster, but it also presents different challenges that require immediate and long-term support.
Philanthropists, especially those with private foundations (PFs), are able to help in a more agile and flexible way than others. Not only can they respond faster when a crisis strikes, but they can also take a longer approach to understand the full scope of the problem(s), pinpoint where they can have the greatest impact and how Can determine how to most effectively allocate its resources to promote the established. relief efforts and/or the birth of new ones.
Here is some guidance for your charitable clients to support Ukraine now and in the difficult years to come.
provide immediate assistance
As conditions in Ukraine are fluid and will likely increase in both scale and urgency, the exact degree of support required is unknown. The following are the broad types of humanitarian aid that are often issued to populations in urgent need:
- Health and Medical Aid
- Shelter, water, food, sanitation, hygiene and other essential commodities
- clothing and non-food items
- Time-critical support for both internally displaced and refugee populations
- safety for people in conflict zones
- Special services for the elderly, disabled, sick, poor and other vulnerable populations
- Suspended education and replace income
Cash donations are repeatedly cited as the most effective way of providing such assistance to donors and PFs as they give maximum flexibility to charitable agencies to direct funds to areas of greatest need. (Donating items such as clothing and medical supplies requires shipping, receipt and handling of goods and materials, and may hinder response efforts.)
PFs can also provide funds in times of emergency through a unique capacity allowed by the Internal Revenue Service: Instead of following the normal process of giving grants to charities, they send them to individuals and families in need without obtaining prior IRS approval. can be made directly.
Screening Charities
It is easy to find a list of non-profit organizations supporting Ukraine relief efforts online. Before clients support a charity, however, for any reason, advise them to ask:
- Is the organization well established and reputed? What is its history?
- Does it have a clear mission?
- Does it meet an important requirement?
- How accurate is its stated approach?
- Are its values ​​in line with my own values?
- Are its services and programs unique?
- Who sits on its board?
- Does it get enough results? What does it report about them?
Additionally, ask the client to check the organization’s ratings from one or several “watchdog” sites. These resources apply a uniform set of standards to analyze and grade the financial and programmatic quality of nonprofits. Some of the more famous sites include well give, Charity Navigator, Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance And American Institute of Philanthropy,
Providing Long Term Support: The Disaster Life Cycle
Crisis and disaster response takes place in several stages. By distributing funding and support throughout the “disaster lifecycle,” your customers may be able to achieve greater impact with their resources and reduce the likelihood of recurrence while aligning their response with their values ​​and priorities. can give.
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy cites the following four stages of response in critical situations:
- response and relief. Reactive time during or immediately after an emergency. Often with a focus on saving lives, and preventing harm, and providing basic human services. This phase typically receives the most attention from the media and the most funding.
- Reconstruction and recovery. The post-damage strategic period is assessed, including long-term efforts to restore a community or country to a pre-disaster state. The work usually begins when the event no longer dominates the news cycle and is often more expensive than relief. It is often overlooked and underappreciated by public charities, private philanthropists and insurance companies.
- Preparation. Another strategic phase, which includes detailed plans that will help people and regions respond effectively to disasters or crises. Activities may include planning exercises, training and educating volunteers, identifying evacuation routes and partners, and stocking up on food, water and other basic necessities.
- Mitigation. More strategic actions designed to correct the factors leading to or contributing to the emergency and limit the impact of similar events in the future. This stage requires risk analysis and investment of time and resources to build resilience and mitigate risk. Activities may include strengthening existing infrastructure and developing redundant processes.
preparing a crisis response
To determine how to best respond to a disaster or crisis, advise your clients to:
- Understand their motivation. What speaks to them about the crisis? Is there any stage in the disaster life cycle that would benefit greatly from their personal network or professional strengths? There are many ways to connect a client’s philanthropic mission to needs that may arise in emergency situations.
- Research them. This includes looking to current events as well as past disasters and similar situations for guidance and lessons that can help them build a high-impact response.
- be aware of scams, Many new nonprofits have been formed in response to disasters, and while some are legitimate, unfortunately others are not. Evaluate new outfits carefully before making a commitment.
- Consider equity. Disasters and crises have the potential to increase inequalities. There may be marginalized, vulnerable or under-resourced populations who will feel the crisis more acutely and may have difficulty accessing essential services.
- Partner with other funders, Exchange insights and best practices with other philanthropists. In the process, they may find allies with similar or complementary goals that will allow them to develop a more innovative or comprehensive response.
Encourage your charitable clients to meet both immediate and long-term needs while providing assistance, during this critical time for Ukraine, as well as during other crises.
Gillian Howell is Head of Client Advisory Solutions Foundation SourceWhich provides comprehensive support services for private foundations. The firm works in partnership with financial and legal advisors as well as directly with individuals and families.
