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Nova Ukraine is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that delivers humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and services to communities in Ukraine.[1][4] Its name translates as "New Ukraine". As of 2025, Nova Ukraine delivered over 130 million dollars worth of aid.[3][5][6] Nova Ukraine co-founders and co-chairs were awarded the Order of Merit (Ukraine) 3rd class in 2022 and 2023 by President Volodymyr Zelensky.[7][8] In August 2025, Focus magazine included Nova Ukraine among 'most impactful Ukrainians' as the #5 volunteer organization.[5]
Euromaidan solidarity rally in San Francisco with Nick Bilogorskiy and Sergey Kishchenko, 2013
In March 2014, in the aftermath of the Euromaidan movement, a coalition of Ukrainian-American volunteers established Nova Ukraine in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea, aiming to coordinate grassroots relief efforts.[9][10]
The organization expanded its operations following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.[3] Nova Ukraine hosts cultural events and advocacy rallies in the San Francisco Bay Area,[11] coordinates multimodal aid shipments to Ukraine, and partners with relief organizations such as UNICEF and local volunteer networks.[12][13][14] In 2022, Nova Ukraine became a founding member of the American Coalition for Ukraine to participate in Ukraine advocacy initiatives.[15]
The founding years
Iryna Bilokin' and Sergey Kishchenko speaking at a Euromaidan solidarity rally in San Francisco in 2014.
In 2014, Nova Ukraine co-organized concerts in San Francisco that raised nearly $100,000 in humanitarian aid for Ukraine, supporting internally displaced persons and families from conflict zones.[16] Ticket sales from a performance by Okean Elzy funded $23,000 worth of medical equipment for hospitals in Ukraine.[17][18][19] A performance by Skryabin (band) in San Francisco raised funds for Nova Ukraine's charitable projects,[20] and a fundraiser with Eurovision winner Ruslana funded support for displaced people.[21][22]
The Heart2Heart program
Launched in 2015, Heart2Heart is a long-term initiative where volunteers in California collect and ship donations, such as clothing and food, to vulnerable populations in Ukraine, including disadvantaged families, orphans, and disabled individuals.[23] In 2018, the Heart2Heart program[23] delivered 80,000 pounds of humanitarian aid (donations from ordinary people) in Ukraine, spending over $40K on warehousing and transportation.[23] In 2019, over 55,000 pounds of humanitarian aid was delivered to Ukraine, with $54.5K spent. Each year, some 600 pounds of Christmas and New Year presents were delivered to children across Ukraine that remained under control of the Kyiv government.[24]
COVID years
In 2020, Nova Ukraine, focused on countering the coronavirus pandemic. Nova Ukraine raised funds to buy personal protective equipment for doctors.[25] Over 4200 FPP2 respirators were purchased and distributed to 14 hospitals in throughout Ukraine. 2,000 bio-costumes to protect doctors and nurses were purchased. Nova Ukraine also purchased and distributed 17 oxygen concentrators to hospitals across Ukraine.[26]
In 2021, Nova Ukraine provided 46 oxygen concentrators to hospitals[27] and continued the Heart2Heart program, supplying essential goods to children and adults with disabilities.[23] Nova Ukraine also supported Ukrainian veterans and soldiers, contributed to the ENGin project for youth language skills[28] and promoted Ukrainian cinema.
Throughout the year, the organization delivered over 1 million meals and 100,000 batches of supplies, mobilized over 3,500 volunteers, and provided assistance to over a million internally displaced persons and refugees globally.[29]
In March 2022, Nova Ukraine partnered with several Ukrainian organizations, including the Ukrainian Student Association at Stanford, to deliver $3.5 million worth of medical supplies, such as bandages, surgery kits, and pediatric medicines, to Ukraine. The supplies were flown from Seattle to Poland and then transported to Ukraine for distribution by the Ministry of Health.[30][31][32][33]
The organization also worked with Unite with Ukraine and the Ukrainian World Congress to purchase 9,000 medical tourniquets.[34] Nova Ukraine raised funds jointly with UNICEF USA[35]. It quickly established a team to support Ukrainian refugees in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe.[36] Volunteers provided aid at refugee camps, helped families apply for humanitarian parole, and offered legal assistance, particularly at border crossings like San Ysidro.[37][38][39][40][41][42]
Additionally, Nova Ukraine, in collaboration with Firefighter Aid Ukraine, collected over $3 million worth of rescue equipment and medical supplies from Canadian fire stations, which were delivered to State Emergency Service of Ukraine.[43] To enhance aid delivery, the organization implemented a grants management platform on Salesforce, improving the efficiency of its operations.[44]
2023
In 2023, Nova Ukraine responded to emergencies in Ukraine and modernized healthcare facilities in the region. The organization upgraded outdated Soviet-era equipment at over 50 neonatal hospitals and clinics. With support from partners like Zdorovi and funding from Pioneer Natural Resources, Nova Ukraine provided modern equipment such as portable incubators and electric generators to hospitals.[45] With funding from Pioneer Natural Resources, Nova Ukraine purchased six ambulances and had them delivered through Enkidu.[46]
Following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in 2023, Nova Ukraine delivered over 35 tons of food and water to 12,000 flooding victims. The organization also facilitated the evacuation of over 3,700 people and animals and provided essential equipment for first responders.[47][48]
Children at a Zmistovno after-school center supported by Nova Ukraine, 2023
Nova Ukraine collaborated with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation to establish 30 after-school centers under the "Zmistovno" brand, offering educational resources to children facing challenges due to the war and the COVID-19 pandemic.[49] The organization also partnered with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to provide the Okhmatdyt Pediatric Clinic in Kyiv with a pediatric mobility rehabilitation system.[50]
Working with Nevados, Nova Ukraine helped install solar panels in schools in Chernihiv, helping them remain operational during power outages caused by the 2022 invasion.[51] The organization also partnered with the Ministry of Education to enhance digital education and promote STEM programs across Ukraine.[52][53]
According to its 2023 annual report, Nova Ukraine has provided direct assistance to over 65,000 beneficiaries and distributed more than $50 million in humanitarian relief goods since 2014.[58][59]
2024
The organization signed a two-year Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, committing to providing medical equipment, prosthetics, medications, and rehabilitation programs.[60] Delivered equipment included iventilators, X-ray devices, ultrasound systems, and chemotherapy medicine, in response to numerous hospital requests.[61][62][63]
In partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and Ukrainian Railways, Nova Ukraine established 111 Points of Invincibility that provided shelter, charging stations, and Wi-Fi routers to 1.3 million people in Ukraine.The organization also restored essential infrastructure, including installing a water treatment plant in Kherson and delivering generators to hospitals.[64]
Nova Ukraine supported evacuation efforts[65][66] and played a role in advocacy efforts for Ukraine,[67] co-organizing Ukraine Action Summits in Washington, DC.[15]
Structure and governance
The Board of Directors, chaired by Nick Bilogorskiy as of 2025, oversees Nova Ukraine's strategic direction and executive recruitment.[68] The Board of Directors is supported by the Advisory Board and an executive leadership team comprising the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Development Officer (CDO), along with Vice Presidents and Director for Ukraine who report to the Board.[69] The leadership also includes team leads, and supports a diverse volunteer base representing a range of cultural and professional backgrounds.[70][71] The organization primarily conducts its official business in English, while also incorporating the Ukrainian language. Nova Ukraine provides aid both directly and through collaborations with hospitals, local volunteer groups, state services, local authorities, and Ukrainian manufacturing and distribution firms.[4] Additionally, the organization actively engages in political and cultural advocacy in the United States and is a founding member of the American Coalition for Ukraine.[15]
Charitable and philanthropic objectives
Nova Ukraine focuses on delivering aid to refugees and internally displaced persons, supporting children and families affected by the conflict, and funding medical care for injured defenders. It provides healthcare, education, and essential aid. The organization contributes to Ukraine’s recovery from economic and social disruptions while supporting the civil society. Additionally, it organizes Ukrainian culture events in the United States.[4][72] Nova Ukraine selectively funds initiatives with measurable outcomes and impact. It prioritizes projects that build resilience, foster self-sufficiency, and support the long-term goal of cultivating a robust civil society in Ukraine. Such efforts include resources for cultural development, social mobility, and creating conditions for future stability.[73]
Geographic presence
Californian members of the Nova Ukraine Board of Directors and Advisory Board at the 2025 Annual Picnic in San Francisco.
Nova Ukraine is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.[74] Since 2022, Nova Ukraine has established volunteer chapters across eight U.S. states: California, Washington, Nevada, Utah, New York, Illinois, Texas, and the District of Columbia. It also opened offices in Ukraine.[75] In response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Nova Ukraine increased aid and services, establishing a subsidiary office in Kyiv and expanding operational capabilities with reporting teams and warehouses in multiple Ukrainian cities.[76] In 2022, the organization provided an estimated $55.5 million in humanitarian aid, encompassing food, medical supplies, and other critical resources for affected communities both within Ukraine and among refugees abroad.[5]
Team structure
Nova Ukraine’s volunteer teams specialize by focus area: finance, medical, logistics, ground operations, refugee support, education and culture, fundraising, donor relations, human resources, web development, social media, marketing, and special projects.[6] Each team manages its budget independently, with responsibility for financial accountability and media reporting related to specific projects. The majority of their volunteer work is unpaid.[77][73]
Medical work
Nova Ukraine’s medical programs provide emergency relief, equipment procurement, and long-term rehabilitation support to Ukrainian healthcare institutions affected by the full-scale Russian invasion. Since February 2022, the organisation has coordinated with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, regional authorities, and local hospitals to address acute shortages of medications, diagnostics, and power-independent devices, while also establishing pain treatment and rehabilitation initiatives for war-injured civilians and veterans.[78][79][80]
Nova Ukraine coordinated the shipment of 32 tons of medical supplies to Ukraine in March 2022.
In 2022, Nova Ukraine implemented a reactive model to meet critical needs for medications and consumables, filtering multidimensional requests from hundreds of hospitals into prioritized packages within budget constraints. By 2023, when Russian attacks systematically damaged medical infrastructure and caused frequent power outages, the organization expanded its remit to include generators, autonomous lighting systems, and mobile diagnostic devices such as portable ultrasound and X-ray units for frontline and field use. In total, Nova Ukraine’s HEAL initiative supported over 600 medical institutions, distributed a million dollars worth of medical packs, delivered more than 2,000 hospital beds and surgical tables, and provided over 47,000 surgical instruments and 37 prostheses for complex amputation patients.[79] In February 2023, one year after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, San Francisco Chronicle reported that Nova Ukraine had distributed a total of $55 million in humanitarian aid, more than half of which went to emergency first aid, hospital medicine, supplies, and medical equipment.”[81]
To strengthen long-term resilience, Nova Ukraine’s medical team launched the “Ukraine Without Pain” partnership with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, aiming to establish a nationwide network of pain treatment centres, train specialists in modern pain medicine protocols, and equip facilities with rehabilitation technologies for chronic pain and post-traumatic recovery. Throughout 2024, the programme distributed medical equipment and supplies valued at $6 million to over 120 specialised hospitals in collaboration with Medical Bridges and MedGlobal.[79]
The organisation’s first-aid support in 2024 included the distribution of 7,541 individual first aid kits, 199 pieces of mobile equipment (including ultrasound and defibrillators), 63 generators, 22 operating tables, 155 tactical medicine backpacks for paramedics and combat medics, 43,645 tourniquets, and 65 training mannequins across 10+ training centres. Through Project MedHub, Nova Ukraine assisted more than 13,000 wounded defenders and delivered aid worth $150,000, supporting military medics and medical evacuation units.[79]
Nova Ukraine also sources equipment through international procurement and through partnerships with Ukrainian manufacturers. Its contributions have been recognised nationally: in mid-2025, the organisation received first place in the “Charity in Healthcare” category at Charitable Ukraine 2024.[80]
Financial performance
Nova Ukraine regularly publishes its financial and impact reports online,[82] detailing expenditures by category and other key metrics. Its IRSForm 990 filings accessible through third-party platforms demonstrate its revenue sources, expenses, assets, and financial management transparency.[3]
Financial data summary (selected recent years)
Fiscal year ending Dec.
Contributions (Revenue)
Contributions as fraction of total revenue
Investment income
Other revenue
Total assets
Total liabilities
Notable expenses (Other salaries and wages)
2023
$31,261,335
99.6%
$135,360
$4,509
$16,826,932
$147,878
$114,000
2022
$75,171,152
100%
$24,969
$10,987
$19,008,324
$374,756
$29,000
2021
$365,627
100%
$0
$0
$151,012
$1
$0
2020
$363,158
100%
$0
$0
$79,884
$0
$0
The predominant source of revenue for Nova Ukraine is contributions, consistently comprising nearly all or all of the organization's income in each fiscal year.
Investment income and other revenue represent very small fractions of total revenue.
Expenses for salaries have been modest in relation to the large scale of contributions, with salaries such as $114,000 reported for the General Manager in 2023.
Total assets have grown substantially from around $151,000 in 2021 to nearly $17 million in 2023.
Liabilities remain very low relative to assets, indicating a strong financial position.
According to its finanical statements, organization’s expense ratio has remained below the average for U.S. non-profits, with overhead costs in the low single digits.[82]
Scurtiny and challenges
Nova Ukraine declined to provide lethal aid to active combatants because major corporate donation platforms require nonprofits to verify their aid does not support active combat. Internal discussions acknowledged the practical difficulty in distinguishing dual-use items like vehicles that serve both civilian and military purposes.[83] Nova Ukraine focused on distributing emergency medical supplies to Ukraine, including tourniquets and first-aid kits for civilians and first responders.
The organization partnered with both secular and religious organizations to distribute aid and coordinate advocacy in the U.S. It funded humanitarian projects through Protestant, Evangelical, Orthodox, and Greek-Catholic churches and institutions. This approach allowed the organization to deliver aid efficiently through trusted local partners regardless of religious affiliation.[84]
Awards and recognition
Organizational ratings
In 2022[85] and 2023,[86] Nova Ukraine’s Board Co-Chair Ostap Korkuna participated in recorded interviews as part of a Charity Navigator review, where he discussed the organization's operations and achievements. As a result, Charity Navigator awarded Nova Ukraine 100% score for leadership and flexibility. In 2024, Charity Navigator granted Nova Ukraine a four-star rating, citing its accountability and strong financial metrics.[72]
In 2025 GuideStar, a non-profit ranking platform managed by Candid, awarded the organization a Platinum Transparency Seal for its financial and operational transparency.[87]
Awards
In 2014, Ukrainian Chicago magazine’s annual reader survey placed Nova Ukraine second among U.S.-based Ukrainian nonprofit organizations.[88][89]
In 2022, Forbes Ukraine ranked Nova Ukraine as #5 on its list of fundraising leaders in efforts to support Ukrainians.[91]
In January 2023, the US nonprofits Nova Ukraine and Razom were jointly awarded the world record for the largest number of assembled electricity generators (1263) in the shortest time (30 days).[92]
In the San Francisco Bay Area, NPR/KQED has featured Nova Ukraine several times for a live discussion.[97][98] ABC7 News covered Nova Ukraine's support for US-bound refugees[37] and for evacuation efforts in Ukraine.[99] NBC Bay Area covered Nova Ukraine's humanitarian relief in the aftermath of Destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023.[47] In San Diego, The San Diego Union Tribune and Del Mar Times covered Nova Ukraine's support for refugees crossing in from Mexico.[40][39] In Seattle, Seattle Times[32] and NBC Right Now[30] covered the Airbus A330 that Nova Ukraine chartered from the Seattle Tacoma Airport to Lublin, Poland in March 2022 to deliver 32 tons of medical supplies to Ukraine.
Forbes Ukraine included Nova Ukraine among the top non-profits providing aid to Ukraine.[91] In 2022, Voice of America Ukrainian produced and aired a TV program that covered the history of Nova Ukraine and interviewed Nova Ukraine directors.[106][107]
Internationally, the Central News Agency (Taiwan) reported on street rallies organized by Nova Ukraine in February 2022 and interviewed co-chair Ostap Korkuna.[108]CNN International aired interviews with Director Igor Markov in May 2022, which included discussions on evacuations from besieged Mariupol[109] and updates on fundraising efforts.[110]Helsingin Sanomat in Finland highlighted how Nova Ukraine utilized technology to expand its operations and provided profiles of the organization’s directors.[111]
See also
Razom– U.S.-based Ukrainian civil society organization
↑Poznyak-Khomenko, Nataliya (2020). Volontery: syla nebaiduzhykh[Volunteers: the Power of the Concerned] (in Ukrainian). Ternopil: Dzhura. p.310. Archived from the original on 2021-11-05. Starting on page 310, the book describes the formation of the organization Nova Ukraine and names Ostap Korkuna among its co-founders.
↑"Ukraine Relief - New York Jets". New York Jets. Retrieved 24 July 2025. They rely on the work of unpaid volunteers, some of whom have taken time off work or even quit their jobs to help coordinate humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
↑Паплаускайте, Марічка (2015). "Топ-10 українських організацій США" (in Ukrainian). Ukrainian Chicago Magazine. Archived from the original on June 9, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
↑""40 Global Ukrainians"" (in Ukrainian). Forbes UA. September 1, 2020. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
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