EAST SOS Partnerships and Fundraising Team Took Part in the Fundraising NGO Growth Lab Spring School

On May 25–28, Kseniia Lisna, Head of Partnerships and Fundraising at EAST SOS, and Anna Havryliv, Partnerships Specialist, took part in the Fundraising NGO Growth Lab Spring School organized by Razom for Ukraine and the UCU Institute of Leadership and Management.

For more than twelve years, EAST SOS has been supporting people affected by the war. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, our work has expanded significantly: evacuation from frontline areas, emergency response after shelling, support for people at transit centers, social and legal assistance, and support for veterans and their families.

It is impossible to support people on such a scale without strong partnerships, new opportunities to attract resources, and the sustainable development of the organization.

To keep helping people and launching new initiatives, it is important not only to strengthen the team but also to build partnerships and attract resources to ensure the foundation’s sustainable operations. This was the focus of the Fundraising NGO Growth Lab Spring School.

Over four days, together with leading experts in fundraising, our specialists explored approaches to systemic fundraising, partnership development, donor engagement, long-term planning, and tools that help organizations become more independent and resilient.

A separate training module focused on how potential donors and partners perceive an organization, what builds trust in it, and how to communicate the value of its work in a way that is clear to different audiences.

“The knowledge we gained is already beginning to turn into new ideas and approaches in our work. But communication with representatives of other Ukrainian organizations was an equally valuable part of the program. Sharing experiences, successful practices, and challenges helps us see how colleagues are developing their initiatives during wartime and find new solutions for our foundation,” shared Kseniia Lisna.

One of the most emotional moments was a visit to the Superhumans prosthetics and rehabilitation center.

“We saw a place where people who have suffered the most severe injuries not only receive modern prostheses or undergo rehabilitation. Here, they are supported in regaining confidencee, independence, and faith in the future. This is an example of what a support system for people in Ukraine can look like when professionalism is combined with humanity,” Kseniia said.

The war continues, and so does the need for help and support. Therefore, strengthening the professional capacity of the EAST SOS team means building a foundation that will allow us to keep helping for as long as needed.