Why is the “FUNdraiser” web platform a unique helper for changemakers?

In today's world, bringing any idea or project to life takes resources. How do you find those resources and keep drawing them in continuously? The answer is both simple and complex at once: run effective fundraising. For young people who want to see positive change in their communities, who have ideas and projects but not enough knowledge to attract resources, the FUNdraiser platform is an invaluable find.

Who is the FUNdraiser platform for?

The platform is a faithful helper, teacher and friend to youth activists, volunteer organizations and institutions that work with young people, as well as to community representatives interested in attracting resources and building cooperation around social cohesion and community safety.

What is FUNdraiser? Let's take a closer look.

FUNdraiser is not just a website but a comprehensive platform offering interactive learning modules, engaging fundraising challenges, useful resources and networking opportunities, which turns fundraising not only into a possibility but into a genuinely engaging process. This powerful project was created by the NGO "International Agency for Change" with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). And in 2023, ownership and intellectual property rights to the platform were fully transferred from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to the NGO "International Agency for Change." The key advantages of the FUNdraiser platform:

1. Interactive learning modules

A chance to master the tools of fundraising and resource management, learn to write grant applications, build partnerships, draw up a project budget, use modern online fundraising tools and much more.

2. Fundraising challenges

This is a team competition during which participants get to bring their ideas to life, gain valuable knowledge and skills, and acquire hands-on experience working on a project. As they complete the tasks, participants learn more about community safety and social cohesion in their community, sharpen the goal of their project, build a logical framework matrix, put together a transparent budget, develop a fundraising strategy, look for ways to attract funding and other resources, write a fundraising plan, explore options for securing grant support, seek ways to attract funding from the local budget, learn to crowdfund and much more. And the winners of the game traditionally receive mentoring support and additional funding for their project.

3. Networking

This is a chance to connect with like-minded people from all over Ukraine, find partners, expand your network of contacts, receive support and advice from experienced professionals, and join forces to strengthen your efforts.

The platform also offers a wealth of resources that will always come in handy: forms, templates, guides, study manuals, a glossary of terms, success stories, current grant opportunities and much more.

FUNdraiser's achievements

Thanks to FUNdraiser, hundreds of young people in Ukraine have had the chance to carry out their social projects, contribute to the development of their communities and improve people's lives.

In 2021, FUNdraiser brought together the efforts of 41 organizations from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions (territories under Ukrainian control). 154 people registered on the platform to share their ideas and gain the knowledge and support to put them into practice. Through joint work and a creative approach, participants managed to raise around UAH 125,000, a significant contribution to supporting and developing local communities. 25 fundraising-challenge teams received valuable "impact boxes," 25 projects were published on the platform, and the 5 best teams won and received additional funding of USD 5,000 from UNDP. This success was made possible by the dedicated work of the participants, active public support and fruitful cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). FUNdraiser 2021 demonstrated the powerful force of unity and joint action aimed at positive change.

In 2023, FUNdraiser expanded its horizons, and the fundraising challenge now involves young people from 12 target communities in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Zakarpattia, Chernivtsi and Poltava regions. 902 participants registered through the Google form. And thanks to the joint efforts of the 78 organizations that took part in the challenge, they were able to raise UAH 128,134 through crowdfunding. This sum was collected by the teams in just 3 weeks and will grow considerably over time. In total, the sum raised by the project participants amounts to UAH 1,500,000. All the funds go toward carrying out projects in recovery, reconstruction, social cohesion and community safety.

As a result of the 2023 fundraising challenge, 109 social projects were published on the platform, 25 teams received "impact boxes," and 15 winning teams won additional funding for their projects totaling USD 6,000 (13 teams from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and two teams from the United States Agency for International Development, USAID). These grants will help the teams carry out their projects and make even more positive change in their communities.

Such achievements show that Ukraine has many active, enterprising and talented people who want to grow and change the world for the better. FUNdraiser gives them the opportunity and the tools to move from dreams to action and make the contribution they want to the wellbeing of our country.

FUNdraiser's achievements are the result of a drive toward growth and positive change. Through our joint work with international partners and youth organizations, we are managing to build a better future for Ukraine.

We invite you to the FUNdraiser platform for the chance to:

- join a community of like-minded people, find partners, and get advice and support;

- register for upcoming fundraising challenges (to do so, follow our social media and read the latest news on the platform);

- download useful resources, document templates and study manuals, and find current grant programs, and more.

The NGO "International Agency for Change" is always glad to be of use to you! And remember: together we are a great force and we can do more!