Session: Fundraising Under Fire: Lessons from Ukraine for a World in Crisis

Fundraising today demands more than creativity — it demands courage. Rising geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and escalating global uncertainty are placing unprecedented pressures on organisations everywhere. 

Yet in Ukraine, these challenges aren’t new: non-profits there have spent over three years navigating the turmoil of the largest military invasion since WWII, learning firsthand how to sustain fundraising when the world around them falls apart.

In this bold and reflective session, leaders from three Ukrainian NGOs — working in pediatric cancer care (Svitlana Pugach), animal welfare (Olga Chevganiuk), and military resilience (Kate Leschyshyn) — share their experiences navigating one of the most complex fundraising landscapes in recent history. 

What Ukraine can teach us all about leading through the next era of global instability.

Learn what it truly takes to sustain donor engagement, effectiveness, and resilience when donor attention fades, resources become scarce, and traditional fundraising strategies no longer apply.

You'll gain insights on:

• Innovating quickly when the old playbook no longer applies.
• Crafting authentic, compelling appeals that cut through noise and fatigue.
• Keeping donors engaged when crises drag on and headlines move on.

Whether you’re part of a grassroots initiative or an international NGO, these frontline lessons will give you a renewed sense of courage, strategic clarity, and vision for what leadership in fundraising must look like in the years ahead.

Svitlana Pugach

Svitlana is a fundraising expert and advisor, currently serving as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Tabletochki Charity Foundation, one of the largest in Ukraine. 

Since joining the foundation in 2016, Svitlana has led transformative growth, tripling the organization’s annual income. Under her leadership, Tabletochki’s fundraising efforts have earned prestigious international awards for their efficiency and innovation, including the Effie Awards and SABER Awards.

Prior to her work at Tabletochki, Svitlana built a strong foundation in risk management and social responsibility through her 12-year tenure at Deloitte, one of the world’s leading consulting firms. 

Svitlana has a proven track record of working with a wide range of donors, both in Ukraine and internationally. She advises NGOs on fundraising strategies, mentors emerging fundraisers, and speaks at leading fundraising conferences worldwide.

A passionate advocate for fundraising, Svitlana believes the profession is about more than securing funding — it’s about unlocking the potential of organizations and communities they serve.