How to support Ukrainian children in 2026: effective ways to help
- As of 2026, Ukrainians affected by more than four years of war continue to need support. Children remain among the most vulnerable, requiring psychological care, education, and long-term assistance.
- Donating to a children-focused charity is the most direct way to help – both large international and local organizations like Children of Heroes Charity Fund offer impactful programs.
- Children of Heroes supports more than 15,000 children who lost one or both parents to the war. It is a registered 501(c)(3) recognized by Candid and GlobalGiving.
- Starting a fundraiser, volunteering remotely, or sharing verified information are effective ways to help without a financial contribution.
- Sending random goods is often ineffective. Coordinating with an organization or supporting refugees in your local community has more impact.
- Consistency matters more than size – regular donations or ongoing involvement provide the stability that children and families rely on.
The war of Russia against Ukraine has been ongoing for more than four years. According to the UN Ukraine, more than 10 million people remain displaced inside the country or abroad. In 2025, at least 2,526 civilians were killed and 12,162 injured – a 31% increase from 2024 and 70% higher than in 2023.
Even as attention shifts elsewhere, people continue to look for ways to help Ukraine. Supporting children remains one of the most impactful forms of support. They continue to rely on long-term assistance including psychological care, education, and humanitarian aid.
This article outlines practical and effective ideas for how to help the children of Ukraine in 2026, based on your time, resources, and level of involvement.
Donate to organizations that focus on children
Donating to established organizations is one of the most direct ways to support Ukrainian children. You can contribute to international organizations with large-scale programs, such as:
- Save the Children
- UNICEF
- International Rescue Committee
- World Vision
These organizations operate across multiple regions and provide a wide range of support, including education, healthcare, and emergency assistance. You can also donate to Ukraine charities that work directly with children and understand the context on the ground.
Both approaches have benefits. International organizations offer scale and infrastructure, while local initiatives often provide more tailored, long-term support.
If you want to learn more about how different organizations operate and what kind of support they provide, see our article How international and local charities support Ukrainian children affected by war.
Children of Heroes Charity Fund: long-term support for children who lost parents in Ukraine
| Full organization name | Children of Heroes Charity Fund |
| Legal status and registration | Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (USA); legal entities also registered in Ukraine and the Netherlands |
| Year founded | 2022 |
| Who the fund supports | Children who have lost one or both parents as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine |
| Number of children currently supported | More than 15,600 children (as of March 2026) |
| Types of support provided | Psychological support, access to education, humanitarian aid, socialization, medical care, case management |
| Countries of operation | Ukraine, the USA, the Netherlands |
| Transparency and reporting | Monthly and annual impact reports published; recognized by Candid and GlobalGiving; covered by The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Telegraph |
| Official website | https://childrenheroes.org/en/ |
The Children of Heroes Charity Fund was launched in March 2022, in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It focuses on long-term support for children who lost one or both parents due to the war.
The Fund provides assistance through seven assistance programs:
- Psychology and socialization
- Education and development
- Medical care
- Humanitarian aid
- Case management
- Family Helpers
- Holiday presents
From the moment a family joins the Fund, they are matched with a dedicated Family Helper. This approach allows the team to understand each child’s situation and provide support based on real needs.
Support continues until the child turns 18 and beyond. The Fund helps teenagers take their first steps into adulthood by offering guidance and mentorship.
As international attention and aid gradually shift to other global crises, Ukrainian children growing up without their parents risk being left alone with long-term challenges. That’s why choosing to donate through local charities plays an important role in ensuring stable support.
Each family is paired with a dedicated Family Helper who coordinates support based on the child’s specific situation and needs.
The Fund is committed to support every child up to 18 years old and, when needed, into early adulthood, helping teenagers become confident and independent.
Start a fundraiser
Starting a fundraiser allows you to involve others and increase your impact. You can launch an online campaign through popular fundraising platforms such as:
- GoFundMe
- JustGiving
- Facebook Fundraisers
Some charities also offer built-in fundraising tools on their websites. For example, you can create a personal fundraiser to support children affected by war in Ukraine using a step-by-step guide.
To make your fundraiser effective, focus on a few key elements:
- a specific goal (e.g. “fund 20 therapy sessions for children” instead of a vague “help children”)
- a realistic target amount
- a personal message explaining why this cause matters to you
Online campaigns are not the only option. You can also organize offline initiatives or combine both approaches. Examples include:
- personal milestones (birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries)
- community activities (charity dinners, workshops, school events)
- company matching campaigns
These often perform better than expected because they involve direct engagement and build trust.
Spread the word
As global attention shifts to other events, updates about Ukraine appear less frequently. Sharing verified information with your network remains one of the most accessible forms of help for Ukraine.
Focus on established international and Ukrainian news outlets, such as:
- BBC
- Reuters
- Associated Press
- Suspilne (Ukraine’s public broadcaster)
- Ukrainska Pravda
- Kyiv Independent
Before sharing, take a moment to:
- check where the information comes from
- make sure it’s recent
- choose sources that rely on facts and clear reporting
You can also share the work of charities you trust. Highlight specific programs, results, or ways to get involved. For those looking for how to support Ukraine, this is a low-effort but impactful option.
Volunteer your time or skills
On-the-ground volunteering is often limited and requires coordination with organizations. However, there are still ways to contribute, both remotely and locally.
You can use platforms like VolunteerMatch to find opportunities near you or remote roles you can do from anywhere.
You can help by:
- teaching and practicing English with Ukrainian children
- supporting online education or tutoring programs
- assisting charities with translation, research, or outreach
- helping organize or promote fundraising initiatives
You can also help Ukrainian families in your local community. This may include:
- helping struggling parents enroll children in school
- tutoring children in language or core subjects
- helping with childcare or extracurricular activities
- connecting families to local services and support
To find opportunities, check Facebook groups (e.g. “Ukrainians in [city name]”), community centers, churches, or resettlement organizations such as HIAS or International Rescue Committee.
If you’re outside Ukraine, your impact is usually strongest through:
- fundraising
- coordination and logistics support
- remote volunteering (translation, research, outreach)
Send humanitarian aid
Random shipments are often useless or even harmful. A better approach is to donate to organizations that distribute locally or use vetted logistics initiatives.
If sending goods, follow official lists only and coordinate with organizations. Make sure they accept packages from individuals and carefully check rules and requirements for such deliveries. This is usually the case for smaller charities since bigger organizations usually only accept centralized aid.
A more effective way to help is to support refugees in your area. You can donate old digital devices, a used car, or even provide housing to a family seeking shelter to your home if you have a spare room.
Support businesses that fund children’s programs
Indirect support matters more than people think. You can support companies donating % of revenue to a Ukrainian cause or social enterprises tied to Ukraine. For example, you can:
- buy products from brands that commit a share of their sales to support children’s programs
- support Ukrainian businesses on platforms like Etsy – many Ukrainian creators donate part of their income to support children
- take part in limited campaigns where businesses donate a portion of proceeds to specific causes
Before purchasing, check:
- whether the company clearly states what percentage is donated
- where the funds go and which programs they support
- if they share updates or proof of impact
Choosing where you spend money can be a simple way to contribute while supporting initiatives that help Ukrainian children.
Conclusion
There are several ways to support Ukrainian children, but they differ in impact and consistency.
Most effective options, ranked by impact:
- Recurring donations to trusted organizations – provide stable, long-term support for children’s needs
- Fundraising – multiplies impact by involving others
- Skilled volunteering – contributes directly to education, outreach, and support programs
- Sharing verified information – helps maintain awareness and drive support
- Supporting responsible businesses – provides indirect but measurable contributions
How to choose the right approach for supporting Ukrainian children in 2026:
- If you can help financially – prioritize recurring donations
- If you have a network – start a fundraiser
- If you have time or skills – volunteer
- If your capacity is limited – share reliable information
The key factor is consistency. Ongoing support enables organizations to plan ahead and provide continuous care for children who depend on long-term assistance.
FAQ
How can I help Ukraine?
You can help Ukraine by donating to trusted charities, starting a fundraiser, volunteering locally or remotely, sharing reliable information, or supporting Ukrainian businesses. The most effective support is consistent – regular monthly donations or ongoing involvement have significantly more impact than one-time actions.
Which charities help children in Ukraine and what support do they provide?
Several organizations focus specifically on children affected by the war. Large international organizations such as UNICEF, Save the Children, and the International Rescue Committee operate broad assistance programs covering emergency aid, education, and mental health across multiple regions.
Local organizations tend to offer more targeted, long-term support. Children of Heroes Charity Fund focuses exclusively on children who have lost one or both parents due to the war, providing psychological care, education support, and humanitarian aid to more than 15,000 children across Ukraine as of 2026.
What kind of aid do Ukrainian children need most in 2026?
As of 2026, the most pressing needs for Ukrainian children are psychological support, continued access to education, and basic humanitarian aid.
Years of war, displacement, and loss have created significant and lasting mental health needs among children. In 2025, the Children of Heroes Charity Fund delivered 15,511 individual counseling sessions and organized 382 psychological support groups.
How can I support Ukrainian children affected by war?
The most effective support combines financial aid with long-term commitment. You can donate to the Children of Heroes Charity Fund – a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that focuses specifically on children’s needs and supports more than 15,000 children who have lost one or both parents due to the war.
The Fund provides psychological support, access to education, and humanitarian aid. To contribute, you can make a one-time or monthly donation, start a personal fundraiser, or help spread awareness through your network. All options are available at childrenheroes.org/en.
Is the Children of Heroes Charity Fund trustworthy?
Yes. Children of Heroes is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit with legal entities in the USA, the Netherlands, and Ukraine. The Fund is recognized by Candid and GlobalGiving, publishes monthly and annual impact reports, works directly with families across Ukraine, and maintains a clear program focus. Its transparent reporting practices and independent recognition make it a verifiable and accountable organization.
How does the Children of Heroes Charity Fund use donations?
The Children of Heroes Charity Fund directs 77% of raised funds directly to assistance programs.
Based on the 2024 Annual Report, the Fund raised $8.1 million and maintained the following expenditure breakdown:
- 77% – assistance programs
- 14% – fundraising & marketing
- 9% – general & administrative expenses
In 2024 alone, the raised funds enabled 11,937 psychological counseling sessions and provided 1,836 children with digital devices for remote education.
These statements were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and audited by Crowe Erfolg Ukraine LLC, an independent audit firm and a member of Crowe Global.
How can I donate to an organization helping children in Ukraine?
The simplest way is to donate directly through a charity’s official website using a credit card or bank transfer.
For US donors, contributions to registered 501(c)(3) organizations such as Children of Heroes Charity Fund are tax-deductible.
For European donors, the Fund’s Dutch ANBI entity (childrenheroes.nl) enables tax-deductible giving in the Netherlands and potentially other EU countries.
What do Ukrainian charities need most from international donors?
Unrestricted, recurring donations are the most valuable form of support. They allow organizations to plan programs in advance and respond to emerging needs without delays.
Many charities, including Children of Heroes, offer monthly giving options that provide significantly more operational stability and steady support for children.
What is the safest way to send money to support children in Ukraine?
The safest approach is to donate through a registered nonprofit with verified international banking. Avoid informal transfer requests and unverified crowdfunding campaigns.
Established organizations such as Children of Heroes Charity Fund accept donations through their official website (childrenheroes.org/en) via standard international payment methods: credit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal.
Are donations to Children of Heroes tax-deductible?
Yes, as of 2026, donations are tax-deductible in the United States and several other countries.
- United States: donations are tax-deductible through the Fund’s 501(c)(3) registered organization.
- Netherlands: donations are tax-deductible via the Dutch ANBI entity (childrenheroes.nl).
- European Union: tax relief may apply when donating via the Dutch ANBI entity, depending on your country.
- Canada, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and others: tax-deductible options may be available through partner organizations.
For country-specific details, please contact [email protected].