Learning to Give: How Education in Grantmaking Shapes a Better Future

In today’s world, business success is increasingly measured not only by profit but also by contribution to society. More and more entrepreneurs recognize that philanthropy requires no less competence than commerce. To make charitable efforts truly effective, one must know how to attract resources efficiently, build partnerships, and develop long-term initiatives.

This principle guides Emil Arutyunyan, an entrepreneur and philanthropist from Dnipro, Ukraine, who in July 2025 completed an international professional training course titled “Fundamentals of Grantmaking and Fundraising: International Experience.” The course took place in Lublin, Poland, and was organized by the International Educational and Scientific Foundation (IESF) in cooperation with the Institute of Public Administration (ISAP).

The program included 45 academic hours and combined lectures, practical workshops, and independent study. Participants explored administrative and financial law as well as administrative procedures — disciplines essential for building a transparent and effective system for managing grants and foundations.

For Emil Arutyunyan, the topic was particularly meaningful. For many years, he has been actively involved in charitable initiatives. Thanks to the work of the international foundation “Solidarity,” founded by entrepreneur Oleksandr Petrovskyi, with whom Arutyunyan collaborates, dozens of projects receive funding and opportunities for development. The organization’s main activities focus on supporting children and youth, healthcare, the armed forces, and the Ukrainian church.

As Emil Arutyunyan notes, the knowledge he gained about international fundraising mechanisms helps him and his team improve the foundation’s operations, find new partners, and expand the scope of their assistance. According to his business partners, philanthropy is not a one-time action but a systematic effort that requires knowledge, responsibility, and a big heart.