Hello [NAME],
On Feb 24, Russia launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine, turning upside down the lives of 44 million Ukrainian people. For the [COMPANY] employees of Ukrainian heritage, our friends and families are profoundly affected, fighting on the frontline with the Russian military forces, hiding in shelters from missile attacks, or fleeing as refugees.
Ukraine is a democratic country with free and fair elections and freedom of speech, and the United States government, together with other nations, has condemned the invasion. Global business leaders, including executives at RBC, Shell, PwC, EY, McKinsey, BCG and others, have made decisive statements denouncing Russian aggression against Ukraine. In these unprecedented times, the [COMPANY] community and its leaders can support its Ukrainian employees and uphold its commitments to justice and human rights by 1) providing support to the Ukrainian people and 2) taking a firm stance against the war.
Calling upon [COMPANY] to philanthropically support the Ukrainian people
Those in Ukraine are facing dire circumstances and need immediate financial support to sustain basic supplies and humanitarian care. Below are verified 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations directly supporting Ukrainian people today. We ask [COMPANY] to match employee donations to these funds. Additionally, companies such as Jefferies, JP Morgan, Accenture, and Mars Wrigley have announced direct donations from the firm of $1m or more to alleviate humanitarian catastrophe caused by the Russian government. We ask you to do the same. Examples of nonprofits organizations working directly to support Ukraine are listed below.
• Razom Emergency Response: a crisis response fund for the people of Ukraine established by a women-led nonprofit based in New York City. Funds are used to purchase the supplies such as tourniquets, bandages, combat gauzes, sterile pads, and satellite phones, and coordinate delivery of these items. JP Morgan is currently matching employee donations to this organization.
• World Central Kitchen: WCK is serving thousands of fresh meals to Ukrainian families fleeing home as well as those who remain in the country. Food company KIND is donating to this organization.
• Nova Ukraine: a nonprofit organization currently coordinating humanitarian aid delivery within Ukraine. Accenture is currently matching employee donations to this organization.
Calling upon [COMPANY] to issue a public statement in support of Ukraine
Knowing [COMPANY] values [LIST YOUR COMPANY’S VALUES], our executives can uphold these values by publicly condemning this war and advocating for further sanctions and support to Ukraine. Please see examples of recent statements made by Fortune 100 leaders below. We would not want [COMPANY] to stand apart from this cadre of global leaders by not publicly supporting the Ukrainian people.
• Grant F. Reid, CEO & Office of the President at Mars: “We are appalled by what is happening in Ukraine and are striving to provide our courageous Ukrainian Associates with the support they need…We join the world in supporting the innocent victims of this war and calling for a peaceful resolution immediately.”
• Dave McKay, CEO at RBC: “I condemn the invasion of Ukraine - a deplorable violation and assault on our global values of freedom, and the sanctity of the borders of a democratic state”.
• PwC UK: “The PwC UK leadership stands with the people of Ukraine and deplore Russia’s violation of international law and its aggression against Ukraine, and we urge Russia to stop its war.”
• Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner at McKinsey & Company: “Earlier today, I reached out to my colleagues to express once again how appalled our firm is by the Russian government's brutal and senseless invasion of Ukraine.”
• Jeffries: “Jefferies will conduct a Doing Good Global Trading Day to support accredited charities focused on providing humanitarian aid to the People of Ukraine. Jefferies will donate 100% of net global trading commissions on March 2nd for all trading in equities, fixed income and foreign exchange by the firm’s clients. In addition, Jefferies as a firm will donate $1 million directly, and its more than 4,500 employees worldwide will be given the opportunity to personally donate to these effort.”
• Alex Liu, Managing Partner & Chairman of the Board at Kearney: “We are all horrified by the continued brutal military aggression from the Russian government. … We stand firmly in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they bravely defend their sovereignty from Russia’s illegal military actions, which has created unnecessary suffering throughout the region and world.”
• Ben van Beurden, CEO at Shell: “The terrible events in Ukraine caused by the Russian invasion have sent shockwaves around the world. I’m as horrified by what is unfolding as everyone else. I feel deeply for those suffering as a result of this senseless act of aggression. As for Shell, we will not stand by. Decisive action is needed.”
• EY: “We denounce the war in Ukraine, and condemn the violation of international law. We are deeply concerned by the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Ukraine. The Russian military invasion in Ukraine is in direct opposition to the values that are core to our organisation. It has and will continue to cause a great deal of suffering across Ukraine, Eastern Europe, Russia, and elsewhere.”
• Christoph Schweizer, CEO at BCG: “I speak for all of BCG when I say we condemn this attack and the violence that is killing, wounding and displacing so many people.”
• JP Morgan: “To support humanitarian relief efforts, JPMorgan Chase is making an initial $1 million philanthropic contribution. Given how rapidly events are unfolding on the ground, the firm is actively considering where to deploy our resources to best meet the growing and changing needs.”
Thank you in advance for upholding [COMPANY]’s values by standing with Ukraine.
[YOUR NAME]