Hope for Ukraine: Why Donors Follow Impact, Not Just Vision with Yuriy Boyechko
“And the way things are looking in Ukraine, even if the war stops today, it's going to take decades to rebuild and rebuild lives.”—Yuriy Boyechko
In 2016, Yuriy Boyechko founded Hope for Ukraine to serve the underserved—children impacted by HIV/AIDS, families in extreme poverty, and people with disabilities who had little access to care. But when Russia invaded in 2022, Yuriy and his team had to adapt quickly.
This conversation explores how Hope for Ukraine continues to deliver real-time impact in one of the world’s most complex crises, and what the rest of us in the nonprofit world can learn from their speed, transparency, and relentless clarity of purpose.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Why funding often follows impact, not vision
- How Hope for Ukraine adapts in real time to meet urgent needs
- The power of radical transparency in donor engagement
- How witnessing his father’s arrest (for being a pastor in the Soviet Union) shaped Yuriy’s sense of mission
In many ways, Hope for Ukraine is an example for all of us in the nonprofit sector as they are creating a true community around a mission for volunteers, donors, and staff. Yuriy’s grit, determination, and confidence in the face of so much need is a true inspiration. Listen in!
Links
- Hope for Ukraine Website - Learn more, donate, or get involved.
- Follow Hope for Ukraine on LinkedIn and Instagram
Key Takeaways
- Innovation increases impact. Hope for Ukraine doesn’t wait. They act. Yuriy believes that when people see results, support follows. Where are you delaying innovation that could show your supporters the real difference they’re making?
- Impact is the message. Yuriy reframes the old belief that “money follows vision.” For him, “money follows impact.” When supporters see the real-world results of their giving, they stay engaged. How are you making your impact visible?
- Speed is a strategy. Responding to every inquiry within 24 hours. Sending donation receipts instantly. These may seem like small details but they’re part of a bigger story of care. One donor even gave again, immediately, as a result. Are you treating speed as part of your donor experience?
Meet the Guest
Yuriy Boyechko is the Founder and CEO of Hope For Ukraine Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals and families in Ukraine's most impoverished communities. With a Master’s degree in Media Communication from Regent University, Yuriy has spent over two decades working in the media and entertainment industry.
In 2016, he channeled his passion for advocacy and humanitarian work into founding Hope For Ukraine. The organization was founded before the war, originally to focus on amplifying the voices of underserved populations, particularly children affected by HIV and AIDS, and provides critical support such as medical care for children with disabilities, as well as food and clothing for families living in extreme poverty. Now, as the war in Ukraine continues, Hope for Ukraine strives to provide much-needed support for food supplies, education services, childcare, healthcare, and shelter. Together with his wife, Tatyana, Yuriy is committed to making a lasting impact in Ukraine’s most vulnerable communities.
