Leonid Foundation: a Ukrainian public organization that combines humanitarian aid, culture, and advocacy

The Leonid Foundation charity was established in 2022, in the early months following the
start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Its founders, Anna and
Edward Murrow, created the organization in response to the real needs of Ukrainians: both
those who found themselves in the USA as refugees and those who remained in Ukraine.
The foundation is named in honor of Anna's late relative, her uncle Leonid, and since its
founding has evolved from a volunteer initiative into a stable aid platform operating at the
intersection of humanitarian, cultural, and advocacy work.

From Local Initiative to Large-Scale Assistance
Over the course of its work, the Leonid Foundation has assisted more than 3,000 people and
delivered over 80 tons of humanitarian aid. Shipments included both targeted assistance to
specific units in Ukraine and systematic support for civilians and refugees.
At the beginning of the full-scale war, the team organized free shipments through postal
companies. The initiative began with a single Facebook post, and a synagogue in Brunswick,
New Jersey, provided storage space for several thousand boxes.
“We did not plan to create a large organization. We simply could not stand aside while
people were losing everything,” says Anna, co-founder of the foundation.
“Over time, it became clear that aid is not a one-time action, but a long journey together with
people.”
The foundation also actively supported Ukrainian refugees in the United States — from
providing basic necessities (child car seats, clothing, household items) to assistance with
documents and adaptation. An important feature of this work has been maintaining long-term
contact with families.
Culture as a Space for Support and Integration
In addition to its humanitarian mission, the Leonid Foundation develops a cultural direction.
The organization hosts film screenings, concerts, and Ukrainian cultural evenings that help
refugees integrate into a new environment while maintaining a connection to their cultural
identity.
The foundation served as the official U.S. representative of the feature film Bucha and
collaborated with screenwriter Oleksandr Schur from the very beginning of the project.
Several dozen screenings were held across different states, and the funds raised were directed
to aid Ukraine.
The team is currently working on potential screenings of the documentary Second Breath, a
story about people with prosthetics who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. A screening in New
York is being considered in cooperation with Ukrainian volunteer networks.

Music as a Language of Solidarity
One of the important components of the foundation's charitable events has been musical evenings.
The DJ for one of these events was Dmytro Pavlenko, a Ukrainian musician and
former member of the band Green Grey.
“For me, this is not just a performance. It is a way to be useful here in the USA, while my heart
is constantly in Ukraine,” says Dmytro Pavlenko.
“Music helps people come together, talk, donate — and feel that
they are not alone.”
His participation added not only professional sound to the events but also a symbolic dimension —
combining the Ukrainian cultural scene of past decades with the modern
volunteer reality.
Advocacy at the Federal Level
The Leonid Foundation also participates in advocacy trips to Washington, D.C., as part of a
coalition of Ukrainian organizations. The trips take place twice a year — in April and
October — with the aim of supporting legislative initiatives and continuing American
aid to Ukraine. Participation in congressional events, including “Ukraine Day,” is discussion.

Funding and Donations
The foundation's activities are primarily funded through private donations. The only
grant that supported part of the programs ended in July, so donations
remain the key source of the organization's existence.
To donate or learn more about the foundation’s work, please visit:
https://www.leonidfoundation.org/donate
The Leonid Foundation demonstrates how the Ukrainian community in the USA can combine
humanitarian aid, culture, and civic activity, remaining
effective even in a prolonged crisis.