Women's Opportunities in Ukraine Foundation

What Women's Opportunities in Ukraine Foundation does

Women's Opportunities in Ukraine Foundation (Благодійний фонд «Жіночі можливості в Україні») is a Kyiv-based (operations in Kryvyi Rih) Ukrainian charitable foundation founded in spring 2022 by Vlada Nedak in response to the full-scale Russian invasion. The foundation operates as a non-commercial grantmaking and programming platform that supports Ukrainian women through three integrated vectors: women's entrepreneurship (mini-grants of 40,000-150,000 UAH, FemAgro agribusiness program, V merezhi digital-inclusion project), professional education (WOnder School English-language program serving 350 students, eCornell/Cornell University executive education for 30 women, AI literacy courses via Hillel IT School), and humanitarian assistance (348 e-bikes to paramedics across 9 oblasts, generators for hospitals, laptops to vulnerable students). Since inception it has disbursed approximately 71.8 million UAH (~$1.7-1.8M USD) to 12,000 beneficiaries including 310+ women-owned businesses.

The foundation operates a lean ~8-person team delivering nationwide programs across 19+ Ukrainian oblasts, with priority focus on frontline and border regions. Its go-to-market relies on digital channels (wo-ua.org, Instagram, Facebook), partner-network referrals via Project Kesher USA/Ukraine and JFNA, and government outreach via OVA/ODA, with applications processed through Google Forms and an expert commission review process. There is no proprietary technology platform; digital infrastructure consists of the foundation's WordPress website, social media channels, Google Forms for applications, WayForPay for donation processing, and integrations with Hillel IT School and eCornell for educational delivery. The 'Kola po vodi' (Pay it Forward) principle requiring grantees to provide community-facing services functions as the foundation's informal brand-and-outreach engine.

The revenue model is entirely non-commercial: the foundation is funded through charitable grants and donations, with its largest disclosed inflow being a $1.5M grant from The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) in 2024, plus ongoing support from Project Kesher USA, American women and families, and Jewish family foundations. No products or services are sold; all programs are free to eligible beneficiaries. The foundation joined the FinanceHER Memorandum on women's financial access and co-published the first wartime 'Women in Business' study with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, signaling an institutional shift toward policy-level convening power alongside grantmaking operations.

Name

Women's Opportunities in Ukraine Foundation

Legal name

Благодійний фонд «Жіночі можливості в Україні»

Website

https://wo-ua.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ukraine-based charitable foundation founded in 2022 supporting women entrepreneurs through mini-grants, education, and humanitarian aid across 19 oblasts, funded primarily by JFNA and Project Kesher USA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation and Women Empowerment Programs

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

Keywords

• Women entrepreneurship grants
• Charitable foundation services
• Humanitarian aid programs
• Women business training
• Nonprofit grant programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kryvyi Rih

HQ country

Ukraine

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Charitable grants and donations: The foundation is a charitable organization that operates exclusively through grant funding and charitable donations. It does not generate commercial revenue. Primary funding comes from The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) ($1.5 million grant in 2024), Project Kesher USA, American women and families, and Jewish family foundations. All programs are free for beneficiaries; the foundation provides grants, training, and humanitarian aid at no cost to recipients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Women's Opportunities in Ukraine Foundation is a charitable organization that provides mini-grants (40,000–150,000 UAH) to Ukrainian women entrepreneurs alongside free educational programs (English language via WOnder School, AI training, eCornell/Cornell University courses), mentorship (MentorMe!), and humanitarian aid (e-bikes for paramedics, energy independence support, laptops for students). All programs are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries and funded through charitable grants and donations from international donors including The Jewish Federations of North America ($1.5M in 2024), Project Kesher USA, American donors, and Jewish family foundations.

Product overview

Women's Opportunities in Ukraine Foundation is a charitable organization operating as a platform offering multiple interconnected programs supporting Ukrainian women entrepreneurs. The core offering consists of mini-grant programs (ranging from 40,000 to 150,000 UAH) providing financial support for women to start or develop businesses. These grants are complemented by educational initiatives including WOnder School (English language education), eCornell international programs, and AI training courses. Specialized programs address specific sectors: FemAgro for agro-business, V merezhi/V merezhi 2.0 for digital inclusion through laptop provision and AI education, Easy Drive for mobility, SviatKOLO for craft collaborations, and Summer Terrace grants for food service. Additional support includes MentorMe! mentorship program and Travel Grants for international exposure. The foundation also operates humanitarian projects including Velo-Forsazh (electric bicycles for paramedics) and initiatives supporting women and children.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WOnder School: English language school operated by the foundation offering General English, Business English, and specialized courses for community leaders, entrepreneurs, and medical professionals.
• FemAgro
• V merezhi (В мережі)
• Velo-Forsazh (Вело-Форсаж)
• Kola po Vodi (Кола по воді)
• MentorMe!

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,000 women received foundation assistance since founding in 2022
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability18 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• UkraineTrustChainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUkraineTrustChain is listed among the foundation's partners. The specific nature and details of the partnership are not elaborated in the available source materials.
• Top Lead (Communication Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTop Lead partnered with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and Rating Group to conduct the 'Women in Business' research — the first comprehensive analysis of women's entrepreneurship in Ukraine during wartime. The foundation served as a communication partner for this initiative.
• Rating GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRating Group served as the general survey partner for the 'Women in Business' research conducted in partnership with Top Lead and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.
• Ministry of Economy of UkraineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Economy of Ukraine partnered with Top Lead and Rating Group on the 'Women in Business' research study, with the foundation serving as a communication partner.
• Easy Drive (Driving School, Kyiv)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation partnered with Easy Drive driving school in Kyiv for the 'Easy Drive Collaboration' program, which provides women in Kyiv Oblast with free theoretical driving instruction and subsidized practical driving training. Two winners received 50% compensation for practical training (for rural entrepreneurs) or 100% compensation (for rural doctors). Three additional winners received 20% discount on practical courses.
• Hillel IT SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHillel IT School provides the AI learning course for participants in the 'V merezhi' project. The course consists of 8 modules from beginner to advanced level, covering AI tools for business and everyday life.
• Cornell University / eCornellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation partnered with eCornell (online platform of Cornell University, Ivy League) to provide 30 women from the foundation's community and Project Kesher access to international professional programs including women's leadership, team management, strategic communications, AI, entrepreneurship, finance, community development, and social impact. One of the most prestigious universities globally, Cornell was founded in 1865.
• Project Kesher (Ukrainian Jewish Women's Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject Kesher is a Ukrainian Jewish women's organization co-leading the eCornell educational initiative. Together with the foundation, 30 women from both organizations began studying international programs. This is described as part of a long-term strategy for women's leadership development.
• Dorozhnik (E-bike Supplier)minorOthersThe foundation sources Dorozhnik Retro electric bikes for the 'Velo-Forsazh' project. The e-bike model reduces travel time to patient locations from 40 minutes to 20 minutes and features a basket for carrying work equipment.
• FinanceHER MemorandumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation joined the FinanceHER Memorandum for women's access to financing for economic recovery. This initiative aims to improve women's access to financial resources for starting and growing businesses.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• International Renaissance Foundation: One of Ukraine's largest domestic philanthropic foundations (George Soros-funded), supporting civil society, education, and economic development. Comparable as a major domestic grantmaker but with broader thematic scope.
• Women for Women International: Global nonprofit operating in conflict-affected countries including Ukraine, providing vocational training, grants, and rights awareness to women survivors of war. Larger, more established, with comparable programmatic model targeting Ukrainian women.
• Global Fund for Women: International feminist foundation providing grants to women's rights organizations globally, including in Ukraine. Comparable as a women's-empowerment grantmaking platform though not region-specific.
• East Europe Foundation: Ukrainian charitable foundation supporting civil society, local development, and humanitarian response. Comparable as a domestic grantmaking platform operating in similar regions and thematic areas.
• USAID Women in Economy (Ukraine programs): U.S. government-funded programs supporting women's economic participation and entrepreneurship in Ukraine. Comparable target beneficiary (women entrepreneurs) and programmatic focus, but vastly larger budget and policy mandate.
• UN Women Ukraine: UN entity advancing gender equality and women's empowerment in Ukraine, including economic empowerment programs for women affected by war. Operates at significantly larger scale with multilateral funding base.
• Kvinna till Kvinna: Swedish foundation supporting women's rights organizations in conflict-affected regions, including Ukraine. Funds and partners with local women's NGOs through grants and capacity building — directly overlapping programmatic approach.

Direct peers

• Project Kesher: Ukrainian Jewish women's organization and the foundation's founding funder. Shares leadership (Vlada Nedak serves both) and overlapping beneficiary base. Most directly comparable peer given shared mission, geography, and operational model.
• Ukrainian Women's Fund: Domestic Ukrainian grantmaking foundation providing small grants and capacity-building support to women's rights NGOs and initiatives. Directly comparable as a national women's-grantmaking platform.

Emerging players

• WNISEF (Western NIS Enterprise Fund): Impact investment fund supporting Ukrainian SMEs and entrepreneurship, including programs targeting women-led businesses. Comparable focus on Ukrainian small-business growth with grant and investment components.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wo-ua-org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Women's Opportunities in Ukraine Foundation