Author:
Yuliia Didenko
Hollywood actor and co-founder of BlueCheck Ukraine, Liev Schreiber, spoke on the Voices Podcast about why he chose to support grassroots Ukrainian organizations from the very first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion and why he values the Voices of Children Foundation.
When Schreiber first came to Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale invasion, people kept asking him: how can we help? The actor, known for his roles in X-Men and Scream, didn’t yet have a clear answer himself. He only knew he wanted to do something genuinely useful for those who needed it.
Four years have passed. Schreiber has co-founded BlueCheck Ukraine, supported dozens of Ukrainian organizations, and become one of Ukraine’s most well-known international supporters and a big friend of our Foundation.
Four years have passed. Schreiber has co-founded BlueCheck Ukraine, supported dozens of Ukrainian organizations, and become one of Ukraine’s most well-known international supporters and a big friend of our Foundation.
The most effective way to deliver humanitarian aid is from within the country. In other words, through local organizations that know the language, have local knowledge, and networks. You need to identify, vet, and support them directly. In Ukraine, they are the most qualified organizations to do the kind of work that we want to do,
According to the actor, large international NGOs often face limitations due to insurance policies, bureaucracy, and logistics. Because of this, they cannot always operate directly in conflict zones and instead transfer funds through intermediaries. As a result, the actual impact of aid is reduced.
BlueCheck Ukraine operates differently: the team consists of just four people, which keeps administrative costs to a minimum.
BlueCheck Ukraine operates differently: the team consists of just four people, which keeps administrative costs to a minimum.
We try to give 95 cents on the dollar of people's money directly to those who need it,
Schreiber chose to back local organizations that can respond quickly to evolving challenges. That is why Voices of Children is among BlueCheck’s partners.
Voices of Children is an extraordinary organization, and we're very grateful for the work that you have done,
During the war, the state focuses on frontline efforts. So, children who need daily support are often left on their own. Large international organizations cannot physically reach every child. Instead, local organizations can.
Schreiber emphasizes that children with disabilities, as well as those who have experienced occupation or forced displacement, need consistent attention and psychological support to cope with the consequences of war.
In so many ways, kids are the scaffolding, the base of any culture. They are the ones who will shape our future when this is all over,
Olena Rozvadovska, co-founder of Voices of Children, noted that many Ukrainian organizations began their work when the war in the east of Ukraine broke out. By the time of Russia’s full-scale invasion, they already had deep expertise and a clear understanding of the needs of internally displaced people and refugees.
Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine is already a long story. It’s important for local organizations to be visible. Small local organizations also want to be visible in this huge humanitarian effort,
Schreiber adds that fundraising in 2026 is significantly more challenging than at the start of the invasion. U.S. support has sharply declined since December 2024, the media space is crowded with other crises, and people are growing fatigued by constant appeals. Still, he believes that real human stories, like those of the children supported by our Foundation, remain the most powerful way to engage donors.
When it comes to raising money, the things that people connect with the most are never really me, but the stories of others that I share. Stories of sacrifice and humanity. And that is like a tractor beam of humanity—something that plugs people in,
The full episode of the podcast with Liev Schreiber is available on the Voices of Children YouTube channel. Learn more about his childhood, his Ukrainian roots, and why he has never doubted Ukraine.
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