FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQS for SPONSORs
Are you a non-profit organization?
No we are not. We are not eligible for non-profit status as the support we provide goes beyond what a traditional non-profit can do. All aid provided is non-lethal.
What is a donor matching/fundraising platform?
We are not a traditional NGO as our primary purpose is fundraising for existing NGOs and military teams in Ukraine. Our goal is to find the very best small programs doing fantastic work and be a collective fundraising force for them. It is far more efficient and effective to collaborate together for fundraising to support each team do what they do best. Most military teams and small volunteer projects in Ukraine are too busy to create fundraising material and consistently update social media platforms and donors; that is where we come in!
Is my financial gift tax-deductible?
No it is not. However if you are American and need to donate through a 501(c)3 organization, we are partnered with Ukraine Frontline which is a registered 501(c)3. Please see the section on Medical aid for more information on that partnership and email gro.eniltnorfeniarku%40ofni if you would like to donate through that method. Receipts are automatically issued for donations over $100.
What are your operating costs?
Our operating costs are around $200/month and most often entirely covered by sales from our merch store. This includes costs for maintaining a website, email addresses, tracking software, and shipping costs. We do not have vehicles or pay rent for an office. Delivery of equipment is via Nova Poshta. Travel to meet with different teams supported by PAV is done using public transport, usually trains.
Are any staff paid?
This is an all volunteer organization. No staff are paid salaries. One Ukrainian volunteer receives a $350/month stipend.
How do I donate airline miles? Do I transfer them?
You can donate airline miles, hotel points, or credit card points by signing up on the form here.
There is no need to transfer points and most programs don’t allow that. You will instead make the booking directly for a volunteer. Our volunteer who is an expert on rewards programs will assist you.I would like to ship supplies instead of making a donation. Can I do that?
Sometimes yes! If you are in Europe and can ship via Nova Poshta then we can easily accept a physical donation. If that is not an option with you, please discuss your intended donation with a volunteer from PAV before sending anything. In most cases it is far more cost-efficient to purchase within Ukraine.
How do I know my donations are going to their intended target?
Great question! If you have doubts, we recommend directly matching with a volunteer. For updates on our fundraising drives, please follow our Instagram account or our account on Reddit in the r/Ukraine subreddit. We regularly post updates on all our activities. We are verified to fundraise on this subreddit which means the moderators have checked our financial records and testimonials from volunteers we have assisted. The process was extensive and took months to receive verification.
I’m matched with a volunteer and they are not responding to me. What happened?
Keep in mind volunteers are in a war zone and often extremely busy. They may not always have access to a phone. It is also very common for people to lose or break a phone. If you have not heard from them in over one month, please mention this to the PAV volunteer in your Signal chat and we will check to see if they are okay. We have had volunteers who have been killed or seriously injured. If this is the case, we will update you when we learn of the news and have permission to release the information.
I’m matched with a volunteer but cannot afford to keep supporting them. What should I do?
You can stop your financial support at any time for any reason. You can also resume it at any time. You are under no obligation to continue donating if you cannot do so or don’t wish to.
I would like to help a volunteer from my own country. Can I do this?
Absolutely! We regularly match Kiwis with Kiwis, Canadians with Canadians, etc. We can accommodate any reasonable request for a person from your own country or to match female donors with female volunteers, etc. We cannot always accommodate requests for a specific person. Please keep in mind that some volunteers are featured in social media or in interviews and some are not. All are equally deserving of support however some are not able to be as publicly open as others. Most of the people in the most need are people with no social media or media presence.
FAQS for VOLUNTEERS
I need a flight for a specific day or need to leave right now. Can you help me?
No. Because most flights are donated with airline miles, some dates may not be possible to book. You might not leave on the exact date you want or have the route you want. We need some time (ideally one month) to respond to your request, match you with a donor, and book your flight.
I need a flight but I’m injured. Can you help me?
It depends on your injury. We are only able to book commercial flights and cannot arrange medical evacuation flights. We regularly assist injured volunteers. Please tell the PAV volunteers handling your flight about any accommodations you may need such as wheelchair assistance.
Can I get help with transportation costs other than a flight?
In general no. You are responsible for all other costs such as bus or train tickets, meals, luggage costs, hotel, etc. If you are headed home following an injury please tell the volunteers working with you and in those cases we will do our best to ensure you have accommodation appropriate for you.
I am going to Ukraine for the first time. Can I get help with gear or a flight?
You are not eligible for assistance with gear until you are in Ukraine and active in your volunteer role. We have many volunteers who have been in Ukraine for years who need help; it is not appropriate to ask for help before you have even been to Ukraine. For flights, in rare cases we will assist with flights for first-time volunteers. You must be a military veteran in your home country and have secured a placement with a military team in Ukraine. In general flights are limited to returning volunteers due to the high demand.
Do I have to be a member of the Ukrainian military to get support?
No. We have assisted volunteers with NGOs or with training organizations as well. Due to limited resources we prioritize applications from those working in frontline areas, either in a military or medical capacity.
How do I apply for help with gear?
The gear application is not on our website. To access it you need a referral from someone that PAV has previously worked with successfully. Several hundred volunteers in Ukraine are able to refer people. They have a google form that they can share with you. DO NOT EMAIL OR MESSAGE TO ASK FOR GEAR; you must apply through the referral system only. The person referring you doesn’t need to be your friend; they are a professional reference attesting to your character, work ethic, and abilities.
I don’t know anyone PAV has assisted. How do I apply for gear then?
You do not need to personally know them or be best friends. However, it is impossible for you to have volunteered in Ukraine on a team with foreigners and not be able to find someone who is eligible to refer you and be a professional reference.
I applied and did not hear back yet. Why?
We respond to applications as quickly as we can however we are a small team and there are thousands of volunteers in need of assistance.
What is the vetting procedure?
Following your application a current or former member of the Ukrainian military will reach out to you to discuss your application. They will ensure you are currently active and that what you have requested is necessary for your role. More modest requests are much more likely to be assisted than large requests given resources are limited.
I need assistance but I cannot disclose all of the information required on the form. Can I still apply?
Yes absolutely. Do not disclose anything you are prohibited from disclosing or for which you are unsure. Submit your application and when the vetting team reaches out you can discuss with them. Do keep in mind it will be impossible for us to book you a flight if you cannot disclose the information required for the booking.
My entire team needs help with NVGs, vehicles, scopes etc. and it will cost a lot of money. Can you help us?
Please keep requests reasonable. Asking for 10 NVGs for one team is not possible. One or two is a far more achievable goal.