The VOVK Foundation and Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Announce the Recipient of the 2024 VOVK Scholarship.

by Meggan Hoyman | Aug 26, 2024 | News

The VOVK Foundation and Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Announce the Recipient of the 2024 VOVK Scholarship.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The UNWLA is honored to continue its partnership with the VOVK Foundation in supporting students of Ukrainian heritage studying technology, engineering, arts, and humanities in the US. After a highly competitive selection process, Viktoria Scherba has been awarded this year’s $4,000 VOVK scholarship.

“We are delighted to issue the annual scholarship from the VOVK Foundation, facilitated by the UNWLA, to support an outstanding student and activist, Viktoriia Scherba. We hope this scholarship will enable her to concentrate on her studies and ultimately use her knowledge to contribute to Ukraine’s rebuilding as a prosperous and democratic society,” said Yurij F. Wowczuk, Director of the VOVK Foundation.

Viktoriia Scherba is a graduate student in public policy at the University of Chicago. Before coming to the U.S., she worked in the Ukrainian Parliament on foreign policy issues and interned in the European Parliament. Recently, Viktoriia completed a summer traineeship with the International Monetary Fund, focusing on government relations. She is currently involved in national pro-Ukrainian advocacy initiatives in the U.S.

“UNWLA’s mission in education is to empower Ukrainian youth by supporting their access to education. We were thrilled to launch this scholarship with the VOVK Foundation in 2023, expanding available assistance for Ukrainian students in the U.S.,” said Natalie Pawlenko, UNWLA President.

For more information, please visit:

VOVK Foundation scholarship https://unwla.org/projects/vovk-scholarship/

Contact:

Anna Bereznyak, UNWLA Communications Coordinator [email protected]

National Tribune: Legacy of Liberated Nations

by Meggan Hoyman | Jul 12, 2024 | Blog

National Tribune: Legacy of Liberated Nations

In National Tribune, a groundbreaking new book authored by esteemed Ukrainian historian Oleh Protsenko, the curtain is pulled back on the life of Fedir Vovk (Ivan Vovchuk), a towering figure in the saga of Ukraine’s fight for freedom and independence. This riveting book not only resurrects the legacy of Vovchuk but also dismantles decades-old Soviet fabrications that cast Ukrainian nationalists as foes of the Jewish people. Through meticulous research and compelling narrative, National Tribune illuminates Vovchuk’s unsung heroism in saving Jews during the Holocaust, and his role supporting Ukraine against Soviet aggression and forging strong U.S.-Ukraine relations. National Tribune is more than a book; it’s a bold look at history, revealing the intertwined destinies of Ukrainian and Jewish fates, and reshaping our understanding of the Cold War’s shadowy battles and their implications today as Ukraine fights for its survival.

Click HERE to order the book in Ukrainian or English.

What They’re Saying

“Oleh Protsenko has written a well-researched, multi-layered, and even-handed history of one of Ukraine’s most fascinating, though insufficiently known, figures—Ivan Vovchuk. But Protsenko has done much more than produce an eminently readable historical account of one man. He has embedded Vovchuk’s biography in detailed histories of 20th-century Ukraine, the organized nationalist movement, and the Ukrainian diaspora. As a result, we come to appreciate Vovchuk’s contribution to Ukrainian history as well as the many large and small ways in which changing contexts and unchanging complexities influenced his life and actions. That is quite an accomplishment.”
– Alexander Motyl, professor of political science, Rutgers University-Newark

“I’ve known about Fedir Vovk for a long time. In 2019, a street in Nikopol was named after him as a part of the Jewish Confederation’s project “The Righteous of My City”. However, general public hardly knows much about the activities of Fedir Ivanovych in the underground and in emigration. Being Bandera’s deputy, Shukhevych’s colleague, and a savior of Jews at the same time—is a destructive combination for the Soviet anti-Ukrainian myth. Therefore, this first biography of him is extremely valuable to us, particularly nowadays.”
– Borys Lozhkin, Vice-President of the World Jewish Congress, President of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine

“This biography of Ivan Vovchuk provides an opportunity to learn more about one of the notable figures of the Ukrainian nationalist movement, and also to get better comprehension of the twentieth-century history. Impressively, his activity spans southeast and western regions of Ukraine, Germany, and the United States. His life story convincingly dispels numerous stereotypes about our past: “Easterner,” nationalist, Bandera’s comrade, Righteous Among the Nations, and a major force in the public life of Ukrainian in the US.”
– Volodymyr Viatrovych, Researcher of the liberation movement history

“Ivan Vovchuk is strong, energetic, intelligent, morally upright, impressive, humane and multifaceted. The book about him is similar to his character. It is a dynamic kaleidoscope of various eras and fields of endeavor, organizations and institutions, friends and fellows, opponents and foes. Therefore, we have a vivid picture of the life of Ukrainians during the 20th century summarized as follows: liberation struggle, life under occupation, repressions, and emigration.”
– Volodymyr Moroz, Historian, Researcher of the liberation movement

VOVK FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES OLEH MEDUNYTSYA VISIT

by Meggan Hoyman | Apr 5, 2024 | News

VOVK FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES OLEH MEDUNYTSYA VISIT

Ukrainian leader will visit western Pennsylvania and West Virginia in mid-April

Morgantown, WV—Oleh Medunytsya, president of the Anti-imperial Bloc of Nations (ABN) and leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), will visit western Pennsylvania and West Virginia later this month as a guest of the Vovk Foundation and the Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine, Inc., officials announced today.

A former member of the Ukrainian Parliament and Deputy Commander during the EuroMaidan/Revolution of Dignity protests, Medunytsya made significant strides in various domains. He established the Bureau of Policy Analysis (BPA), an anti-corruption
NGO endorsed by prestigious institutions. His multifaceted leadership reflects an unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s progress, integrity, and sovereignty.

Medunytsya will participate in events in Pittsburgh, PA, and Morgantown, WV, during his two-day visit.

April 17 – Meet & Greet Fundraiser*
4:00 – 6:30 PM
Crowne Plaza Suites Pittsburgh South
164 Fort Couch Road, Bethel Park, PA 15241
*Suggested/recommended donation: $40.
Free for members of the press/media and students.

April 18 – Meet & Greet
5:00 – 7:00 PM
West Virginia University, The Mountainlair
1550 University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26506

About the Vovk Foundation

Founded in 2023, The Vovk Foundation Inc. is a registered 501c(3) nonprofit corporation with full tax-exempt status. Headquartered in Morgantown, WV, it also maintains offices in Pittsburgh, PA, and New York, NY. The Foundation’s impactful work centers around five verticals in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people: a) Education: Fostering knowledge, skills, and opportunities for Ukrainian students. b) Entrepreneurship: Empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and promoting economic growth in Ukraine. c) Innovation: Encouraging forward-thinking solutions and technological advancements. d) Economic Rebuild: Contributing to Ukraine’s economic recovery and development, and e) Truth Telling: Shedding light on the Ukrainian nationalist movement and its enduring legacy. The Foundation has commissioned the writing of a significant book on the noted OUN leader and civic figure Ivan Vovchuk, which will be available in June 2024. For more information, visit the Vovk Foundation website at www.vovkfoundation.org

About the Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms of Ukraine Inc.

Founded in 1946, ODFFU is a national organization dedicated to supporting the Ukrainian community in the United States. Its mission revolves around upholding and promulgating the four fundamental societal freedoms initially presented by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941. These include: a) Freedom of Speech: Advocating for the right to express ideas and opinions without censorship or repression. b) Freedom of Conscience: Safeguarding the freedom to hold and practice one’s beliefs and values. c) Freedom from Want: Striving to alleviate poverty and ensure basic necessities for all. d) Freedom from Fear: Working to create a secure environment where individuals are free from intimidation and oppression. The organization experienced rapid growth following the passage of the Captive Nations Resolution by Congress in 1959, a significant milestone that garnered full support from then-President Eisenhower.

Contact
412-334-7555
[email protected]

2023 Annual Report

by Meggan Hoyman | Feb 12, 2024 | News

2023 Annual Report

Download a PDF of the Annual Report

The Vovk Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 2023 to offer assistance and support to Ukrainians and those of Ukrainian ancestry by focusing on advocacy in the following areas:

Education

Provide targeted financial support and scholarships

Entrepreneurship

Support the development
of entrepreneurialism

Innovation

Promote defense and commercial innovation activities

The Rebuild

Help restore scientific, industrial, and educational infrastructure

Truth Seeking

Amplify the facts about Ukraine and Ukrainian nationalism

The foundation has financed a series of surgeries for Ukrainian soldiers, helped a children’s hospital in Ukraine (through
a partnership with Brother’s Brother Foundation) purchase analytic equipment for the critical care of infants, and funded a university scholarship program in conjunction with the Ukrainian

National Womens’ League of America (UNWLA) for students of Ukrainian descent. In addition, the foundation has created strong
partnerships with several organizations and universities and has sponsored several nonprofit events around the world. Here are a few highlights from 2023.

Partnerships

BUDUYUA
The Vovk Foundation and Buduyua have signed a memorandum of cooperation to help with ideas and concepts to rebuild a school in Ukraine using the latest STEM teaching techniques and
instructional materials, progressive layouts, and environmentally friendly materials.

SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY
Shepherd University and the Vovk Foundation signed an agreement that will expand the existing partnership between Shepherd and Western Ukraine National University Західноукраїнський національний університет and provide new educational opportunities for students of Ukrainian descent.

UKRAINIAN VENTURE CAPITAL AND PRIVATE EQUITY ASSOCIATION
The Vovk Foundation partnered with the UVCA – Ukrainian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association and attended the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) together with Ukrainian
member start-up companies. UVCA, a member of Invest Europe, was established to spread the word about Ukraine’s achievements and opportunities and to support investors in
every aspect, from providing reliable information to establishing international connections at the industry and government levels.

UKRAINE AMERICA INITIATIVE
The Ukraine America Initiative (UA Initiative) and The Vovk Foundation entered into a partnership agreement to pursue opportunities that would support the education, physical/emotional well-being, and overall success of Ukrainian nationals displaced by Russia’s unjustified aggression. Specific areas of focus include: workforce development, education and training, and entrepreneurship.

BROTHER’S BROTHER FOUNDATION
The Vovk Foundation is working with Brother’s Brother Foundation to support wounded Ukrainian soldiers in need of prostheses and to financially support the purchase of much-needed medical equipment for pediatric hospitals in Ukraine. Brother’s Brother has provided global aid and developed sustainable projects in health care, infrastructure, disaster response, and education
since 1958.

ORGANIZATION FOR THE DEFENCE OF FOUR FREEDOMS OF UKRAINE
The Vovk Foundation and the Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms of Ukraine (ODFFU) signed a Memorandum of Agreement to collaboratively support policy research as well as
humanitarian projects in Ukraine.

Activities

The Vovk Foundation has sponsored several nonprofit events, including Pittsburgh Ukrainian Food Festival in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, and the Boston Annual Ukrainian Festival, among others.

The Vovk Foundation has sponsored a major research effort around the history of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and one of its key leaders, Ivan Vovchuk (the Vovk family patriarch). The results will lead to the writing and publication of a very significant book about the history of this period and the key role he played. Expected publication is late summer 2024, in conjunction with an international launch/speaker series.

Scholarship

The foundation partnered with the UNWLA – Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Inc., to offer a scholarship this year for students of Ukrainian descent. The scholarship was awarded to Maria Kulchycky, who is attending Harvard University’s Kennedy School.

Fundraising

The foundation partnered with two artists/designers from Ukraine to create a line of T-shirts. All proceeds helped the foundation to empower students, entrepreneurs, and innovators in Ukraine.

The Vovk Foundation received a significant donation from renowned American Ukrainian conductor and violinist Adrian Bryttan. The Adrian Bryttan Stringed Instrument Collection comprises outstanding 20th century violins and violas produced by Dmytro Didtschenko, Walter Kozovsky, and Zenon Petesh, in addition to other noted makers.

In the news

In 2023, several news outlets around the world featured the Vovk Foundation, including:
Forbes Ukraine
Morgantown magazine
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Shlyah Peremohy
(Шлях Перемоги) –Pathway to Victory
Times West Virginian
The Ukrainian Weekly
WBOY-TV

Honors

The foundation was recognized as TOP 100 USA Entrepreneurs with Ukrainian Origins at a star-studded event in New York City. The event was hosted by Kateryna Osadcha, host of “The Voice of Ukraine,” “The Voice Kids,” and “Search for the Missing,” and Yuriy Gorbunov, host of “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Voice of Ukraine.”

Financial Statement

The foundation raised over $110,000, inclusive of funds from its founders. Vovk Foundation spends a minimum of 90% of all proceeds on project work, scholarships, and related activities of high impact.

Social Media

In the inaugural year of our nonprofit foundation, our strategic utilization of social media emerged as a powerful catalyst in building awareness and fostering community engagement. We hired New South Media to create a new website and launch an aggressive public relations and social media campaign. Through sharing relevant content conveying messages that resonate with our followers, we witnessed substantial growth across our social media channels. On platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, our follower base experienced remarkable expansion, creating a robust network of individuals who are passionate about our cause that we can continue to build up on in coming years.

Local Company and Foundation Named to Prestigious Top 100 USA Entrepreneurs with Ukrainian Origins

by Meggan Hoyman | Jul 24, 2023 | News

Local Company and Foundation Named to Prestigious Top 100 USA Entrepreneurs with Ukrainian Origins

Zenovy, Yurij, and Borys Wowczuk, the founders of Morgantown-based Civil-Military Innovation Institute (CMI2) and the Vovk Foundation, were honored over the weekend as TOP 100 USA Entrepreneurs with Ukrainian Origins at a star-studded event in New York City. The event was hosted by Kateryna Osadcha, host of “The Voice of Ukraine”, “The Voice Kids”, and “Search for the Missing”, and Yuriy Gorbunov, host of “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Voice Ukraine”.

“We are indebted to the organizers and other sponsors of the event for making it such a tremendous success,” says Vovk Foundation Director Yurij Wowczuk. “The Gala was the perfect venue to formally announce and introduce The Vovk Foundation. We look forward to continued collaboration as we initiate the foundation’s very important work.”

The Vovk Foundation provides assistance and support to Ukrainians and those of Ukrainian ancestry. Its mission is three-pronged, just like the trident on the Ukrainian coat of arms.

Provide opportunities for students, entrepreneurs, engineers, and scientists to advance their scholarship and work in the face of the unjustified and savage invasion of Ukraine by the nation of russian terrorists.
Address enormous material losses to scientific and educational infrastructure.
Articulate the truth about Ukraine and Ukrainian Nationalism.

The foundation has financed a series of surgeries for Ukrainian soldiers, helped a children’s hospital in Ukraine (through a partnership with Brothers’ Brother) purchase analytic analysis equipment for the critical care of infants, and funded a university scholarship program, in conjunction with the Ukrainian National Womens’ League of America (UNWLA) for students of Ukrainian descent.

The TOP 100 awardees were chosen because of their unique Ukrainian heritage and the innovation and social impact of their business. For more information about Vovk Foundation or to make a donation, please visit vovkfoundation.org. All donations will help ensure the successful reconstruction of Ukraine, a solid future for its citizens and the diaspora, and the preservation and evolution of its storied culture and heritage.