A quarter of Americans who are aware of the Russian invasion of Ukraine have taken action to support Ukraine, including making donations to charity or other forms of economic support, a survey from Fidelity Charitable finds.

Based on a survey of 1,006 adults conducted on March 9, 2022, the brief, All eyes on Ukraine (3 pages, PDF), found that, of the 25 percent who have given support, 54 percent have donated to a nonprofit, 26 percent have given directly to affected individuals or families, and 79 percent have engaged in another form of economic support (e.g., supporting a Ukrainian business). According to the study, donors cite both a sense of action (32 percent)—that their donation will make a difference—and feelings of helplessness (31 percent) as a motivation to give.

According to the survey, donors are primarily concerned about immediate humanitarian needs related to the crisis, with respondents indicating medical support (60 percent), children’s issues (58 percent), and short-term humanitarian aid (52 percent) as primary interest areas. Long-term needs are currently a secondary concern, with 33 percent of respondents indicating rebuilding Ukraine was a priority, followed by economic opportunity for refugees (30 percent), mental health (28 percent), and strengthening democracy (19 percent). Of those who haven’t donated, two-thirds indicate they will or may make a donation in the next few weeks, with primary concerns regarding donations including that it might not reach intended recipients (29 percent), wanting to know how the donation will be used (26 percent), and wanting to know it will be used right away (21 percent).

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