The Utah for Ukraine Fund has surpassed its $2 million goal by raising a total of $4 million to support more than 7 million displaced Ukrainians, according to the Community Foundation of Utah. The fund, created to address the refugee crisis resulting from the war in Ukraine, has already distributed $3.9 million to international humanitarian organizations.
Fundraising and Matching Efforts
The fundraising initiative was part of the Driven to Assist community fundraiser, which paired individual donations with a matching program from the Larry H. Miller & Gail Miller Family Foundation. For every dollar raised, the foundation pledged a match up to $2 million. The fund received over 3,600 donations, with 90% of those contributions being $100 or less.
Community Response and Unity
The Utah for Ukraine Fund was officially announced during a press conference held at the Utah State Capitol on March 3. Philanthropic leader Gail Miller stated that the initiative was a way for Utahns to support their approximately 1,500 Ukrainian neighbors living in the state. Miller noted that the community's goal was to show unity and support to those facing desperate situations in Ukraine.
Targeted Humanitarian Aid
The fund's advisory committee, which included philanthropic experts and state government representatives, decided to prioritize aid for unaccompanied children and displaced female-headed households. To ensure effective distribution, the committee reviewed partnership proposals and selected three 501(c)3 organizations: Catholic Relief Services, The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and The International Rescue Committee (IRC).
International Aid Distribution
The distributed funds are being utilized for specific regional needs. Catholic Relief Services is providing housing for hundreds of households in Moldova and Bulgaria, as well as educational and psychosocial assistance for 1,500 children. UNICEF is operating Blue Dot Hubs across seven European countries to provide families with critical information, while the International Rescue Committee is working to support rural communities in Moldova, which has seen a 17% increase in its population.
Logistics and Material Aid
In addition to monetary donations, the state organized physical aid drives. Committee member Abby Cox hosted donation drives at six locations through her initiative, Show Up. The items collected during these drives were organized by volunteers and airlifted to countries bordering Ukraine by Intermountain Healthcare.
Church Presence in Ukraine
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains a presence in Ukraine, documenting the chronology of its history and operations within the country.
