OUR VISION
Helping Ukraine Claim it's
Rightful Place In The History Books
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OUR MISSION
Building Ukraine's National Brand
Through Powerful StoryTelling
Ukraine deserves it's rightful place in the history books. For over 300 years, Russia occupied Ukraine and stole it's rich history for it's own imperial ambitions.
While the Russian Emptire and then the Soviet Union ruled Ukraine, they divided the country through its weaponization of it's history. They suppressed Ukraine's rich history and culture.
Russia's attack on Ukraine's history created divisions that haunted Ukraine's political and civic society even after it gained it's indepence in 1991.
Russia continued to sew these divisions inside Ukraine, and counted on these divisions to cause Ukraine to quickly collapse when they first invaded in 2014. Unfortunately, the world barely noticed this violation of Ukraine's sovereignty.
But in early 2022, Ukraine finally grabbed the world's attention when it courageously repelled Russia's full scale invasion aiming to topple Kyiv's government and conquer Ukraine. Everyone now sees that it's one of the world's bravest and beautiful countries.
We believe that history is not some dusty academic subject. History is thebrand of a country. And Ukraine deserves the best possible History now so that it can secure victory in this war, and win the peace after the war.
We have setup the World's Premier Global Ukrainian History research institute to help Ukraine create this global brand for it's country with our experience as marketing experts, storytellers, historians, and military combat veterans.
"He who controls the present, controls the past.
He who controls the past, controls the future."
~George Orwell
OUR JOURNEY
The Borderlands Story
Our Founding
Preparing for War
On 12 February, 2022 our Founder Samuel P.N. Cook evacuated his tech and media company team to Western Ukraine. After the war started, on 26 February he founded the Borderlands Foundation to help refugees and support Ukraine.
Our Founding
Preparing for War
On 12 February, 2022 our Founder Samuel P.N. Cook evacuated his tech and media company team to Western Ukraine. After the war started, on 26 February he founded the Borderlands Foundation to help refugees and support Ukraine.
Borderlands Ukraine
Telling the Story of the War
Because of his social media posts during the leadup to the war, Sam's friends asked him to continue educating them on the situation inside Ukraine, so he started doing a daily podcast during the Battle of Kyiv with people inside Ukraine.
Washington D.C.
Building Bridges for Ukraine
While he was educating his friends on Social Media on the war, Sam took his fiance home to the U.S to get married,
and then they went to Washington D.C. to forge connections with policymakers
and Ukraine-focused nonprofits.
Washington D.C.
Building Bridges for Ukraine
While he was educating his friends on Social Media on the war, Sam took his fiance home to the U.S to get married,
and then they went to Washington D.C. to forge connections with policymakers
and Ukraine-focused nonprofits.
Borderlands Ukraine
Moving back to Kyiv
After his wedding in the U.S., and establishing the Borderlands Foundation in Washington D.C., Sam moved back to Ukraine and started building connections inside Ukraine to host a number of delegations coming to study the war.
Teaching in Kyiv
War & StoryTelling in Ukraine
After returning to Ukraine, Sam joined the faculty of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, the oldest University in Ukraine, at the school of Journalism, to teach his course on War & StoryTelling in Ukraine. This recorded lecture series is now available online.
Teaching in Kyiv
War & StoryTelling in Ukraine
After returning to Ukraine, Sam joined the faculty of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, the oldest University in Ukraine, at the school of Journalism, to teach his course on War & StoryTelling in Ukraine. This recorded lecture series is now available online.
Historical Center
Launching our History Podcast
After hosting two VIP visits with General (Retired) David Petraeus to Kyiv, we interviewed him on his most recent trip to Kyiv for the First Episode of the Ukraine History Podcast, which features the people making and writing the history of the war.
Ukraine Veterans
U.S.-Ukraine Veterans' Golf Tournament
The ultimate beneficiary of our work is the Heroes of Ukraine's Military creating the history of this war with their heroism and sacrifice. That is why we decided to launch the fundraiser for our center in their honor, and to help build awareness for them.
Ukraine Veterans
U.S.-Ukraine Veterans' Golf Tournament
The ultimate beneficiary of our work is the Heroes of Ukraine's Military creating the history of this war with their heroism and sacrifice. That is why we decided to launch the fundraiser for our center in their honor, and to help build awareness for them.
Our Partners
What People Are Saying
General (Retired) David Petraeus
The Borderlands Foundation team has been very helpful during my visits to Ukraine and in my efforts to understand the situation there. Sam Cook knows the country, its leaders, and the reality on the ground. And his relationships, knowledge, and expertise have been invaluable – especially given that he is a combat veteran who commanded in Iraq, taught Russian history at the US Military Academy, is a marketing expert, and has assembled a superb team. The overall combination is very powerful.
Suzanne Kelly, CEO of the Cipher Brief
The Cipher Brief has had a great experience working with Sam and The Borderlands Foundation team on our visits to Ukraine as we work to better understand this war from all perspectives. Sam and his team were very helpful in coordinating impactful meetings that led to deeper understanding of what is happening on the ground, not just what’s being reported in the headlines. Sam is a great communicator, is incredibly well-connected and has been a trusted partner for us in Ukraine.
SFC Serhiy Yanchuk, 78th Air Assault
The Borderlands Foundation has created a strong community inside Ukraine that connects groups from across the world with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Security Services, and Civil Society. Sam Cook's personal connections and help have provided invaluable funding and training opportunities to the units that I have served in as part of Ukraine's Special and Regular Forces. Sam is committed to the future of Ukraine. He cares deeply about Ukraine and our ultimate victory against Russia.
Yuri Bogun Shchyrin, CEO AIM Marketing
Sam came to Ukraine in 2018, long before Ukraine was a global brand everyone admired. He believed in Ukraine, and helping its veterans long before the full scale invasion. I watched how he dropped everything he was doing, stepped away from his business, and started the Borderlands Foundation. On the Second day of the war, we both did a joint podcast together as I setup our community defense of my town of Bilohorodka.
Serhiy Kvit, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
As the President of the Kyiv Moyla Academy, I was pleasantly surprised in the summer of 2022 to meet an American history professor and marketing
media expert who told me his vision for creating the future of Ukraine's glorious history. We gave Sam a teaching spot at the Kyiv Mohyla Academy school of Journalism, where he taught an extraordinary course called War & StoryTelling in Ukraine for our students.
Evan Platt,
Co-Director,
Zero Line
The Borderlands Foundation has carved a niche for itself in Ukraine as being the place where we all know we can go to if we want to meet someone else important. Sam has been constantly meeting and understanding the nonprofits supporting Ukraine, and made it his mission to help us find connections and resources to support our mission. The Borderlands Foundation is a key part of the Ecosystem here.
About Our Founder Samuel P.N. Cook
Sam graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2000 with a degree in European History. He was then commissioned as an Officer in the U.S. Army Cavalry. During his first tour in Iraq, he served as the Regimental Adjustant for COL H.R. McMaster during battle of Tal Afar where he helped handle the media and craft their narrative that this was a turning point in the war. After serving as a Troop Commander during the surge in 2007-8 in the Tigris River Valley, Sam was selected to go back to New York University to Study Russian History, and then went on to teach Russian History at West Point. After he left the Army, he moved to Poland in 2014 and Founded James Cook Media, where he created a world-renowned marketing course for business owners on how to use StoryTelling to craft authentic, powerful marketing campaigns. In 2018, he moved to Kyiv, Ukraine, where he founded a tech startup that was selected for LA Techstars in 2021. When the war Started in 2022, he founded the Borderlands Foundation. He lives in Kyiv with his wife Kateryna.
Sign-Up for Free Lecture Series War and Storytelling in Ukraine
This 5-part lecture series was taught to the graduate students
of the Kyiv-Mohyla School of Journalism by Samuel P.N. Cook, the Founder of the Borderlands Foundation - a former U.S. Army Officer in Iraq who went on to teach Russian and Ukrainian History at West Point.
We are on a mission to give you a voice in building a better future by capturing the story of Ukraine's heroic struggle
In 2022, we raised $85K in donations
Helped 400 refugees
And conducted 30+ interviews documenting the story of the war
We Partner with Organizations Like...
Here's How You Can Contribute to the War Effort:
1. Click "Donate now" button
You can donate any amount one time or regularly.
2. Learn who we've helped
Watch videos where we tell the stories of the heroes of Ukraine
3. See your donation in action!
Get regular email updates to see how your donations made an impact.
Stand Against Russia's Evil Invasion of Ukraine
With help from people like you, the Borderlands Foundation helps Ukraine win the war by sharing stories of Ukraine's heroes and supporting their families.
1. You make a donation
2. Our foundation collects funds
3. We capture the stories of Ukraine's heroes
4. We publish and share their stories online
5. The stories of Ukraine's heroes inspire the world
Help Ukraine Win the War.
Capture stories of Ukraine's heroes
Make sure Ukrainian heroes maintain a lasting legacy
Give directly to heroes' families
Your donations will go to support Ukrainian veterans and their families
Write the history of the war
Shape the future by helping us capture the story of the war for generations to come
Choose How You Want to Make a Difference in Winning the Russia-Ukraine War.
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See how you can donate your time to help Borderlands make history
Join Our Community of Donors to Capture Stories of Ukraine's Heroes, Support Their Families, and Shape the Future of World History.
The Borderlands Foundation is a community of people who want to make their mark on history.
When you join our community of donors, you help Ukraine win the war against Russia's evil aggression. And you can feel proud about helping to shape history through the power of storytelling while supporting the families of Ukraine's heroes.
Don't let apathy stand in the way of the Ukraine war effort. You can make a difference and help Ukraine win the war against Russia.
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Thank You for Your Support!
Your contribution will help women who have sacrificed so much for peace to find moments of joy and renewal.
Together, we can give our defenders a piece of the Christmas miracle.
The Borderlands Foundation is a Delaware-registered 501c3 non-profit organization. Our registered business address is located in Texas.
Registered Business Address: The Borderlands Foundation Mailbox #506, 2401 Fountain View Drive Suite #464, Houston, TX 77057 United States
EIN: 88-1118730