Vlada Polishchuk, Canadian Development Manager: Dignitas Fund
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/01/13
Vlada Polishchuk, Canadian Development Manager for Dignitas Fund, talked about her mission and efforts. Dignitas operates in Ukraine and the U.S., focusing on training, supplying drones, and providing humanitarian aid like mobile laundry units. Polishchuk’s role involves fostering collaborations, raising awareness, and exploring Canadian expansion. She highlighted the challenges of declining donations after years of conflict and the need for innovative approaches to fundraising. Despite political shifts, established donor trust has been key. Polishchuk expressed concerns over worsening conditions in Ukraine and emphasized the urgency of global support to counter aggression and safeguard broader regional stability.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What is your role?
Vlada Polishchuk: I volunteer with Dignitas Fund as the Canadian Development Manager.
Jacobsen: What does that role involve, and what is the scope of Dignitas?
Polishchuk: Currently, Dignitas operates through two charitable organizations: in the United States as Dignitas Ukraine, and in Ukraine as Dignitas Fund. Essentially, we are one team of motivated people. We are now taking steps to explore the potential for establishing operations and collaborations in Canada.
My role involves
- fostering potential collaborations,
- facilitating the exchange of experiences and
- raising awareness about the work of Dignitas.
Jacobsen: When it comes to Dignitas Canada, is Canada the home base or an extension of Dignitas?
Polishchuk: We currently operate primarily in Ukraine and the U.S. In Canada, we would function as an extension of the organization. However, we are actively exploring developing a stronger presence here.
I would love to see a fully established Dignitas Canada one day.
Jacobsen: What about products? What kind of products do you provide, what do they do, and how is this funded?
Polishchuk: Our product management efforts are focused on supporting Ukrainians. We supply drones, and we have launched initiatives to enhance training efforts. For example, our Flight to Recovery program empowers veterans through simulation and FPV drone training.
Additionally, we have implemented projects like providing mobile laundry units to aid those in need. Our work is focused on the first responders and defenders of Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian veterans, with an overall focus on helping Ukraine win this war through technological advancements. These efforts aim to save lives, strengthen defences, and protect people, with the ultimate goal of achieving victory for Ukraine and safeguarding its sovereignty.
Jacobsen: Are the operations in Ukraine different from those in the U.S.?
Polishchuk: Yes, the operations differ significantly. Dignitas conducts training programs in Ukraine, particularly in the eastern regions and other key locations. Most of our operations are centred in Ukraine, focusing on direct support and on-the-ground initiatives.
Our primary focus in the U.S. is fundraising. We are now expanding these efforts to Canada and seeking investors and collaborators.
Jacobsen: How is the search for investors going in Canada?
Polishchuk: The search has been progressing well. I joined Dignitas about a month ago, and it has been an active and productive start. I’ve met many interesting individuals—some from Canada, others from Europe or Ukraine.
Even though my primary focus is on Canada, I’ve found myself connecting with a global network of people. It’s fascinating to see how interconnected this work is. Many of my contacts have ties to Ukraine or other parts of the world. I’m optimistic that we will see positive outcomes from these efforts within the next month or so.
I can’t disclose more than that, but it’s exciting. I’m confident that, by doing so, we will raise awareness about what we are doing and make a significant difference in the direction of things.
Jacobsen: What are the struggles that come up in fundraising? Every organization with someone trying to make contacts for investors will probably get more “no’s” than “yeses.” So, how do you pursue this?
Polishchuk: Absolutely. Overall, Maria Berlinska, one of our cofounders, has been working on raising awareness about drones since around 2014 or 2015.
At that time, people were like, “What are you talking about?” because discussing drones felt like something new and unfamiliar. I wouldn’t say people took it seriously back then. It was challenging to move in that direction.
Dignitas is well-established in Ukraine and known in the U.S. In terms of fundraising, we have many established investors who trust us. We ensure transparency and inform them about our progress and plans to maintain engagement.
However, after three years of the full-scale invasion, we have observed a decline in donations and support. This motivates us to be even more creative and push harder to meet our goals.
Jacobsen: Does the political context of various Western countries influence your strategies for outreach to funders? For instance, if a new prime minister or president exists in one of the major funding countries, does that factor into your planning?
Polishchuk: With our currently established network, I don’t think it significantly affects our context. We have built trust with our donors and prioritize transparency about our costs, plans, and ongoing efforts.
Polishchuk: Our focus is on deepening and expanding our work. The people who donate to us are already on our side, supporting what we do regardless of political shifts in their countries.
Jacobsen: Does the leadership in countries, such as new presidents or prime ministers, influence your efforts?
Polishchuk: It doesn’t make that big of a difference for our trusted donors, but influences how we target large scales in terms of people. Our cause can be positioned relative to different leaders and so influences support.
If the leadership takes an approach that does not prioritize Ukraine’s fight for resources and strength to push back against aggression, it impacts public opinion, actions, and even digital donations on a larger scale.
We’ve also observed a decline in the frequency of conversations about Ukraine. People are becoming desensitized to what’s happening. However, the intensity of the attacks or the frontline situation has remained the same. The situation has worsened.
For example, last year, in 2023, when I was in Ukraine, the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka regions were relatively safer. You could still travel there, breathe, and feel a moment of normalcy despite the chaos. Now, these areas are at the center of the conflict, frequently appearing in the news. The scale of destruction is insane, and Russian forces are progressing at an alarming speed.
It’s heartbreaking to see places I have warm memories of—charming towns and villages—now devastated. The scale of the destruction is staggering. It’s clear that if we slow down our efforts, things will only worsen.
I’m curious about what 2025 might look like if we don’t push as hard as we can and take this situation seriously. From my point of view, this isn’t just a threat to Ukraine—it’s a threat to other countries as well.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Vlada.
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