The Fortress of Courage Ukraine Charitable Foundation is a registered charity under all applicable Ukrainian laws, including Ukrainian tax legislation.
The Foundation is based in the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine and operates primarily in Kharkiv and its surrounding regions, supporting citizens there, because these are the areas most affected by the ongoing war with Russia.
In addition, our founder, Crispian Hayhurst has a personal connection with Kharkiv, having lived there for two years prior to the start of the full-scale invasion.
The Fortress of Courage Ukraine Charitable Foundation represents strength, resilience, and unwavering support for those in need. For us, a fortress is a symbol of protection, courage, and steadfast commitment — values that guide our work in supporting Ukrainian defenders, communities affected by conflict, and humanitarian initiatives.
The name Fortress of Courage Ukraine reflects our mission to build a safe and strong foundation for hope, courage, and solidarity, empowering people and organizations that demonstrate bravery and determination in the face of adversity.
Is a retired international corporate lawyer and corporate finance specialist with more than 35 years experience in leading large, cross-border M&A and other corporate /commercial transactions throughout Central and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine.
Raised and educated mostly in Canada, Crispian relocated to Budapest in 1993 working and becoming a partner with two major international law firms, while also founding his own CEE regional firm, “Hayhurst & Partners” in 1998.
After retiring from his legal practice in 2010, Crispian has continued to advise private clients on structuring and implementing their investments in various CEE countries.
Crispian has overall responsibility for determining the Foundation’s main objectives and selecting and structuring its projects, in collaboration with the other team members, as well as publicizing the Foundation’s work internationally and expanding its donor base.
is a communications and public affairs professional with over 15 years of experience in journalism, strategic communications, and government relations.
He began his career in journalism, covering politics, war, and corruption for leading Ukrainian media outlets. Later, he transitioned into strategic communications, working with state institutions, international organizations, and donor-funded reform programs, with a focus on crisis communications and anti-corruption initiatives.
At the Foundation, Yaroslav leads marketing, public relations, and stakeholder engagement, strengthens the organization’s public profile, and oversees overall strategic leadership as CEO, ensuring the Foundation effectively fulfills its mission in Ukraine.
has over 15 years of professional experience in public sector reform, compliance, and donor coordination. She spent more than nine years working in Ukraine’s public sector, contributing to analytical research, corruption risk assessments, and the development of anti-corruption, compliance, and integrity strategies for government institutions across sectors such as education, infrastructure, recovery, and public service delivery.
At the Foundation, Maryna leads donor relations and partnership development, ensures compliance with international standards of governance and financial transparency, and supports the implementation of impactful programs benefiting communities across Ukraine.