The first five-year plan.
In the final column, the Ukrainian Aid Fund summarizes the outgoing 2015. This year was special for us - the anniversary. Ufond celebrated its fifth anniversary in the fall. During this time we managed to raise 20,475,387 hryvnias and provide comprehensive assistance to 460 children. In 2015, with the help of our readers, we collected 3,593,420, which is 50% more than in 2014. Despite the difficult economic situation in the country, you - our readers - have been generous.
Thanks to you, 54 children received treatment in 2015. Of these, diagnosed with congenital heart disease - 23 children, cerebral palsy - 14, diabetes mellitus (purchase of insulin pump and consumables) - 10, imperfect osteogenesis (course treatment) - 2, scoliosis - 2, facial defects ("wine stains") - 2, hearing aids -1.
In 2015, the Fund resumed cooperation with a longtime partner - PrivatBank. During the charity event "Immaculate Heart" managed to raise 1,142,475 hryvnias. Donations could be made through an ATM and at the cash desks of bank branches. The campaign started in March and lasted until the end of the year.
In addition, we posted the stories of our wards on the charity platform "Ukrainian Charity Exchange". This partnership brought 336,807 hryvnias.
Two months ago we opened lines for SMS donations. The short number 5541 received 38,831 hryvnias. This is a new Ufond service that allows our readers to help quickly and conveniently by sending short messages with the word "good". The cost of such a message is 20 hryvnias.
Thanks to the support of our colleagues from the partner media, the stories of sick children who need charitable help could be found on the pages of KyivVlast, Telegid, Gazeta Po-Ukrainski, Gazeta.UA, Ukrainian Philanthropists Forum, Territory of Good ", See on the TV channel" Voice ", TC" ERA ", TC" Kyiv ".
Thank you to all our partners and private donors! Your help is invaluable!
In 2015, the Ukrainian Relief Fund won the Charitable Ukraine competition and participated in the ranking of charitable foundations with public and transparent reporting. This is the first recognition of our work with you across the country, as well as a testament to the openness and transparency of the Fund.
And we are not standing still - on the eve of 2016, Ufond launched a page on the European charity platform "Justgiving". And we very much hope that the European audience will become active donors. We launched an English-language social video on the platform about the "Charity instead of New Year’s souvenirs" campaign.
As for the situation in the field of charity in general, this year the opportunity to improve the climate for the work of non-profit organizations was again missed. No law has been passed that would exempt charitable SMS donations from taxes. The bill, developed and approved by all stakeholders (mobile operators, foundations, representatives of the legislative and executive branches of government), has remained dusty in the committees of the Verkhovna Rada. There were also no changes in the current legislation that would exempt charitable assistance from income tax. These tasks remain relevant next year.
In 2015, the volunteer movement popularized philanthropy in general, but it became non-systemic and often out of control. For example, more than 63% of Ukrainians who donate to charity do so through portable piggy banks. It is very difficult to keep track of the conditions in which the funds raised were spent. Against this background, many fraudulent organizations and pseudo-volunteers appeared on the market, which undermined the credibility of charity in general. This was the reason that in 2015 there was a decline in public activity in this direction.
Therefore, one of the priorities of work for 2016 Ufond sees for itself to strengthen public communications, expand communication channels with our partners and private donors to strengthen the confidence of Ukrainians in the non-profit sector. We also expect that an important healthcare law will be passed next year, which will finally formalize business cooperation with clinics and doctors. Thanks to this, we will be able to expand the range of diagnoses, treat children in domestic clinics and, thus, help more people in need. By the way, in 2016 we will help children with orphan diseases. We invite new partners to cooperate, together we can do more! Thank you, friends, for being generous!