Recently, I had the chance to attend a workshop by Svitlana Puhach, a leading fundraising expert with over 10 years of experience in raising funds in Ukraine and abroad, “Fundraising is about relationships”, organized by Philanthropy in Ukraine. It was a very meaningful event that reminded me once again: fundraising is not only about raising money or writing applications. At its heart are people, trust, and real partnerships.
We discussed and worked through many topics, but I want to share the ones that touched me the most:
First of all, success in fundraising starts from within. When the culture of working with donors is a value for the whole team, and not only the job of one person, trust becomes strong and lasting. Every team member can represent the organization and help build its reputation.
I was also inspired by the idea that fundraising is not about hunting, but about growing. We do not look for quick support — we create relationships that become deeper and more meaningful with time. Donors are not only giving money — they become part of the community that moves in the same direction with us.
Another strong thought I took from this workshop is: we are not collecting money, but people who want to change the world together with us. This really changes the focus: every meeting and every conversation is not about “asking for support”, but about inviting someone to join something bigger.
And maybe the most important reminder: working with relationships is not just another task in the calendar. It is a part of daily fundraising practice. To be attentive, to stay in contact, to give thanks, and to share values — this should be natural in our everyday work.
These ideas are very close to our organization. We see every day that the culture of relationships — both inside the team and with donors — is the base for trust and real impact. That is why we are very proud to have passed the verification by Philanthropy in Ukraine this spring and been added to the catalogue of trusted foundations. For us, this is not only recognition but also motivation to be even more transparent and stronger in our partnerships.
I am grateful to the Philanthropy in Ukraine team for inviting us to this workshop and for all the important work they do to grow the culture of philanthropy in Ukraine. Thanks to these efforts, Ukrainian organizations can grow professionally while staying close to the people we serve.
Photos are taken from the official resources of Philanthropy in Ukraine.
