On June 9, Kyiv hosted the 19th awards ceremony of the main annual event in the philanthropic sector — the National Competition "Charitable Ukraine-2025."
The National Competition "Charitable Ukraine" annually recognizes the best philanthropists, volunteers, and most effective charitable initiatives. This year, 1,698 applications were submitted, and nearly 90 laureates received awards — three prize-winners in each of the 26 categories.
The Future for Ukraine Charitable Foundation took second place in the "Charitable Event of the Year" category for organizing the third edition of the Go to the Future run, an event supporting veterans with limb loss. For the project, this is the highest recognition, reflecting its real impact on building an inclusive, barrier-free environment in society. Read more about the Go to the Future 2026 run, which drew nearly 2,000 people to VDNG despite heavy rain, in our feature article.
Distinguished guests attended the 19th awards ceremony. First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska delivered welcoming remarks, thanking charitable givers for their resilience and dedication even amid a prolonged war. "Personally, I would give an award to each of you simply for the fact that you are not governed by fatigue — that you are greater and stronger than it," the First Lady said.
The event was attended by Denys Uliutin, Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, who personally presented awards to laureates in several categories — civil society organizations and volunteers implementing systematic support for the defense sector, providing humanitarian aid to residents and animals in frontline territories, and creating opportunities for education and online learning for Ukrainians during wartime.
Also, Minister Uliutin visited the LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB in Mykolaiv during a working visit to the Mykolaiv region a month ago. LEVCHYK was among the social facilities the delegation toured while getting acquainted with the city's social protection system. The center opened in November 2025 in partnership with Mykolaiv City Council, thanks to grants from Nova Ukraine and Ecolab, and the ongoing support of project patron Vadym Stolar.
A Chronicle of Ukrainian Philanthropy's Development
Oleksandr Maksymchuk, President of the Association of Charities of Ukraine, Chairman of the contest committee, emphasized that over the years, "Charitable Ukraine" has become a true chronicle of the development of Ukrainian philanthropy and an important contribution to building an ecosystem of volunteerism and charity in Ukraine.
Olena Nikolaienko, President of Future for Ukraine (USA) and the foundation's strategist and head of international fundraising, noted that the Go to the Future run is now in its third year in a row and each time unites thousands of Ukrainians in support of veterans on their path to recovery and adaptation after limb loss.
"We believe that a veteran's true recovery begins not in a prosthetics workshop, but in the moment they return to an active life and feel like a full member of society. That is why Go to the Future brings thousands of people together around the idea of inclusivity, mutual support, and respect for those who defended Ukraine. It is a great honor for us to receive such recognition from the professional philanthropic community. This award belongs to all our veterans, partners, volunteers, and run participants who are building a barrier-free future alongside us," stated Olena Nikolaienko.
For reference
The National Competition "Charitable Ukraine" is the main national award in the field of philanthropy and volunteering, held for 19 consecutive years by the Association of Charities of Ukraine. Winners traditionally receive the honorary "Angel of Goodness" award — the charitable Oscar of Ukraine's third sector.
