1. What exactly is the Grassroots Hero Foundation?
The Grassroots Hero Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides funds to small organizations and volunteers who are supporting children and people in need in Ukraine. We are incorporated under the Societies Act of British Columbia. The Societies Act sets out rules and procedures for incorporating and managing non-profit organizations. This includes required bylaws or regulations such as the role of Board members and the submission of annual financial statements. The Society Incorporation number of the Grassroots Hero Foundation is S0077975.

2. What is the mission of the this Foundation?
The mission of the Grassroots Hero Foundation is to raise and distribute funds for community organizations and volunteers in Ukraine who are helping meet unmet needs of people. In our experience, these ‘grassroots heroes’ are often overlooked by large organizations, despite being the first to respond and most directly connected with children, families and people living in need. This support includes but is not limited to basic food items, hygiene and toiletry products, medicines and other essential living items. The Foundation also provides financial support to pensioners in need of medical care. Funding also goes toward activities for children, mothers and families to help them regain a sense of safety and normalcy in their lives.

3. How did the Grassroots Hero Foundation come about? The Grassroots Hero Foundation came from the realization that it takes very little to relieve human suffering. Having seen both the human consequences of the war in Ukraine firsthand but also the spirit, volunteerism and resiliency of the Ukraine people, its founder (David Hutton) was troubled when he saw that many small Ukrainian organizations were unable to receive funds from larger international organizations, despite making real differences to the people in their communities. Beginning with donations from family and friends and then general fundraising through the Everyday Hero Fund, David quickly found that small amounts of money in the right hands could not only help relieve the suffering of the most vulnerable but also remind them that they had not been forgotten and abandoned by the world.

4. What are some differences that you make? Many of the volunteers and organizations that we support have limited access to financial support. Our funding means that they are able to reach more people in need. This means more children can participate in activities that help them to again feel safe, more elderly pensioners can receive medicine, and more families who have lost their homes can receive food and other supplies. Because the organizations we support know the people in their communities, they are able to reach many people who might otherwise remain hidden and forgotten like elderly pensioners and persons with disabilities.  

5. Why is the Foundation different from other organizations?
We are different from other humanitarian agencies in a number of ways. First, we support small grassroots organizations that are often run by volunteers. These organizations are generally overlooked by large humanitarian organizations because of their small size. Second, we do not quantify human suffering, meaning we always try to find a way to support people who are in need. Sometimes this is through a pair of shoes, other times it is helping them with medications or medical treatment. Third, we try to provide immediate support, meaning we do not wait weeks to help people who need our help now. Finally and as important, we believe that everyone has a life history and a personal story that deserves our respect. We always remember that children and people in need are also mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles. This is also how they wish to be remembered.

6. How do you identify the organizations and volunteers that you support?
We directly know all the organizations and volunteers that we support. A number of these organizations were known and supported by David while he was in Ukraine. We also have a highly committed Ukraine Coordinator in Odesa who helps identify and confirm the needs of organizations that might approach us. You can read more about Svitlana on Our Team page.

7.  How do you make sure the money I donate is being correctly spent?
All and any funding given to an organization in Ukraine is based on an identified need or activity. This means that we know exactly how much money is needed and how it will be spent. To confirm that the funds are spent for the intended purpose, we receive receipts and photographs of the all activities and purchased items.

 8. How much of my money will go towards the people of Ukraine? We are absolutely committed to ensuring your money goes to its intended purpose. For example, the financial expense of incorporating the Grassroots Hero Foundation was covered by the David himself and all board and team members volunteer their time. This means that your donations do not go towards administrative and fundraising efforts but directly to the children and people in need who you want to support.

 9. Is my donation tax-exempt? Unfortunately not. While being registered as a non-profit Society means we are governed by regulations and have greater accountability and transparency, we cannot issue tax receipts for donations. We purposefully chose this option because it allows us to support small grassroots organizations and volunteers in a timely way. Had we become a charitable organization, the regulations would not have allowed us this flexibility.  

10. How do I get involved if I have an idea or want to volunteer?
We would love to hear from you. There are different ways that you can become involved and support our work, from donating to fundraising to volunteering. Please go to our Get Involved page for further details or you can email us at info@grassrootsherofoundation.com.

11. Can I get automatic updates about what the Foundation is doing?
Absolutely. Just subscribe at the bottom of the page and you’ll receive regular updates about how we are supporting people in Ukraine. Because we believe that giving is very much about human relationships and the human spirit, we also share stories about our ‘grassroots hero’ partners and the many individuals they are supporting.