When the full-scale invasion started in February 2022, I, like many Ukrainians, dropped everything to help however I could. What began as chaotic volunteer work quickly turned into a structured mission. Over time, I helped raise around 3 million UAH, delivering everything from medical gear to drones for our defenders on the front lines.
This post is intended to give the perspective of someone who is living through the war, and learning what it takes to defend myself, my friends, and our country. If you’re abroad, wondering how to help Ukraine without being here physically, here’s what actually makes a difference.
Donate to organizations that actually help
Let’s be honest: we face a constant need in regular supplies that we can’t meet. Whether it’s medical supplies or basic gear to keep people alive — all of it costs money. This is why there are many organizations working to help Ukrainians in this war. I personally trust those and regularly donate, because they work for my safety and help my friends many times. Here are a few trusted organizations that I either work with or deeply respect:
Official fundraising platform initiated by Ukraine’s president. It’s well-documented and transparent — you can see where your donations go.
Come Back Alive (Savelife)
One of the longest-running defense support funds in Ukraine, providing military tech, training, and more.
Unbroken
Focused on medical rehabilitation and supporting wounded soldiers and civilians.
Future Sich (My NGO)
What started as a group of friends passionate about science became a volunteer collective during the war. We focus on delivering exactly what’s needed: UAVs, military medical supplies, rehabilitation tech, and modern tools that help defenders stay alive and effective. We also support people affected by the war.
Start something local — it’s easier than it sounds
Try organizing a small group in your town or city if you live abroad. Volunteering together (even if it’s just a donation drive, a charity auction, or hosting a talk about the war) can have a big impact. And to be honest, it’s the best way to meet people who share your values.
If you’re into music or events, organize a nonprofit gig or show and donate all proceeds to Ukraine.
- Me and my friend both love broken beat music, so we organized charity event series in Ukraine. A couple dozen events later we fundraised almost 400k UAH.
- In San Francisco, volunteers regularly organize art auctions and pop-up charity dinners to raise funds for Ukrainian defenders. One small team recently raised enough to buy a drone for a frontline unit.
- Buffalo, NY: The Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center organized donation drives and community events, including fish fry dinners and art classes, to raise funds for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
- A group of students at a university in Boston held a campus-wide campaign, raising awareness and funds by organizing lectures with Ukrainian speakers and professors.
- In Chicago, volunteers teamed up with local businesses to donate a percentage of sales during “Ukraine support weekends,” a model that works well for bakeries, bookstores, and cafés.
Even something small can grow if it’s consistent and fueled by purpose. Don’t underestimate what a few dedicated people can do. This is how I started my own organization as well.
Use your voice online
Talk about Ukraine and share about what is happening there. Even if you feel like your posts don’t reach many people, they really do matter. Share donation links, updates, trustworthy sources. Remind the world that the war is not over, and the outcome will affect everyone, not just us.
How others are making an impact:
- Stepan the Cat: Ukraine’s most famous feline, Stepan, has over 1.6 million followers on Instagram. His account has been used to raise nearly €15,000 for humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
- Balenciaga: The fashion brand wiped its Instagram feed, leaving only a Ukrainian flag and a link to donate to the World Food Programme, using its platform to raise awareness and funds.
Practical Steps You Can Take
- Share Verified Donation Links: Post links to reputable organizations like United24, Come Back Alive, Unbroken, or Future Sich
- Highlight Personal Stories: Share stories of Ukrainian resilience and bravery to humanize the conflict.
- Engage with Your Network: Encourage friends and followers to share your posts, creating a ripple effect.
- Collaborate with Influencers: If you have connections with influencers or public figures, encourage them to use their platforms to support Ukraine.
If you work at a company — propose a cause to support
One of the most effective ways to help is from inside your own workplace. Companies often have budgets for social responsibility, and many are open to employee-led initiatives but someone needs to take the first step.
You can propose:
- A one-time fundraiser
- Monthly donation matching
- Adding a Ukrainian charity to your company’s recurring donation programs
- Organizing an internal campaign with verified donation links
I’ve seen this work more than once. For example:
- Adobe employees organized internal donation drives and used Adobe’s donation matching program to double their impact (raising over $140,000 in the first few months of the invasion).
- Google included Ukrainian causes like United24 and Razom in its internal giving portal and matched employee donations.
- Salesforce employees ran a virtual walk-a-thon fundraiser for Ukraine with colleagues from multiple countries participating.
If your company doesn’t have a matching or donation system in place, you can still gather support. Even a few coworkers chipping in together can make a real difference.
Do it yourself
You don’t need to wait for someone else to organize a campaign, and every dollar truly does matter. You can start a fundraiser yourself, donating the money to an organization you trust.
Some methods that actually work:
- Team fundraiser: Gather a group of friends or colleagues, set a common goal (say, $5,000), and split it between you. Everyone contributes in their own way — from selling things to hosting events — and together you hit the target faster.
- Charity auctions: Sell art, collectibles, or services; especially if your network has creators, artists, or small business owners.
- Charity events: Music nights, art exhibitions, local food tastings… events with even a small entrance fee can raise a meaningful amount.
- Product-based fundraising: Planning to sell something anyway? People are much more likely to buy if they know a portion (or all) of the proceeds goes to a good cause.
Depending on where you live, you can set this up through:
- GoFundMe
- Local charity platforms in your country (in Germany, for example, many use betterplace.org)
- Instagram stories with donation stickers or Shopify integrations
It’s important to always share updates and proof of where the money goes. It builds trust and encourages people to give again.
Final thoughts
You don’t need to be in Ukraine to help. You don’t need to be famous, rich, or have a massive audience. What you need is consistency and care. Since 2022, I’ve met hundreds of people who’ve supported Ukraine in small ways that added up to something big. That’s how we fund drones. That’s how we buy medical gear. That’s how we rebuild after missile attacks. None of this is theoretical. I’ve seen it happen, over and over again. So if you’ve been wondering how to help, just start today. Pick one thing from this list and do it. Whether it’s donating, fundraising, organizing an event, or just sharing a reliable link it all moves us forward.
Ukraine’s future depends on people like you staying engaged. And we’re incredibly grateful every time you do.
About the Author:
Maxim Merkoluv is a long-time member of the Talkable team, and lives in Ukraine. When he’s not working as an Integrations Engineer, Maxim produces music and sound art as Whaler. Based in Ukraine, Maxim has fundraised ~5M UAH to support Ukraine’s defense.
Looking for somewhere to donate now? Consider contributing to our fundraiser supporting Talkable’s team members living in Ukraine.
