Support Ukraine: Launching the IofC USA Solidarity Fund on April 1st
Watch the Launch of the IofC USA Solidarity Fund that took place on Friday, April 1st.
Our team at Initiatives of Change USA are uniting together with our alumni in Ukraine as they navigate daily life amidst a rapidly shifting war. We regularly receive requests for support from our community of global IofC networks, particularly in the 103 countries where we have more than 1,500 alumni. Through the Caux Scholars Program and the Global Alumni Initiative (GAIN), our team has provided virtual support, supplies and fundraising for alumni when volatile conflicts arise in Nepal, India, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Palestine as well as the U.S.
After spending much time listening and reflecting on the needs of those in conflict zones, it became abundantly clear that in addition to prayers, words, and strategies for post-war conflict, more organizing is needed. We need to embrace a larger effort to display resourceful and meaningful solidarity.
In light of the rising number of geographical conflicts in our world and the particular violence of the war in Ukraine, we are launching a new campaign, the Initiatives of Change USA Solidarity Fund.
As an organization, we are contributing $5,000
towards this fund and we are looking to match,
and ultimately exceed, this contribution.
WHAT IS THE INITIATIVES OF CHANGE USA SOLIDARITY FUND?
The Initiatives of Change USA Solidarity Fund will be an ongoing fundraising and resource mobilization engine that can provide emergency and transitional support to our alumni and their communities when crises emerge.
We begin the fund by supporting our alumni in Ukraine who are serving their country and the most vulnerable of their neighbors and have reached out to their friends in the United States for a greater level of solidarity and support. Following this launch, we will continue to raise funds to support our alumni in Ukraine as well as alumni in other global conflict zones.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
There are a wide range of needs including humanitarian and medicinal aid that have been compiled by our alumni on the humanitarian front lines in the war for Ukrainian freedom. From talking to our allies on the ground, it is clear that the top priorities include military helmets and vests for those giving humanitarian support, cleansing tablets to purify drinking water, canned foods, blankets, and medicine among many other needs.
Therefore, we are fundraising for these necessary supplies. We have direct connections to our alumni on the ground to ensure access to the funds raised, collection and distribution of necessary resources to those in need.
Here’s how you can get involved in a few ways:
Share the flyer and information about the Initiatives of Change USA Solidarity Fund with your family, community and network.
Check out the launch event that took place on Friday, April 1st at Hill City Church (2101 Maywill St, Richmond VA 23226) from 7-8pm EST. Watch it here.
Make a donation to the IofC USA Solidarity Fund through our website.
If you live in the greater Richmond, VA metropolitan area, you can join our community partners (Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine/Lift Up Ukraine), and donate supplies at any of the drop-off locations listed on the flyer below.
We truly do need your help to make this possible. We invite you to help build the Initiatives of Change USA Solidarity Fund and continue to provide purposeful routes for our global alumni and their communities while in the midst of conflict.
For more information on the Initiatives of Change USA Solidarity Fund, please email communicationsus@iofc.org.