Fundraising for Human Trafficking Survivors

Overview

If your organization serves human trafficking survivors, you may be eligible for funding.  There are several organizations that aim to connect providers and survivors with services and funding. 

• Polaris Project

• Human Trafficking Hotline

• Grants.gov

Funding options include foundation funding, government funding, and private fundraising.  Here are some suggestions for where to start if you are interested in fundraising for human trafficking survivors.

Foundation Grants

• NEO Philanthropy Anti-Trafficking Fund

  • This organization grants funds to organizations that support survivor-led initiatives. More information about NEO can be found here.

• Legatum Foundation 

  • The Legatum Foundation, in partnership with two other anti-slavery activists and donors, manage the Freedom Fund, a Fund designed to end modern-day slavery. This fund is available internationally and pays special attention to “hotspots,” or areas known for high rates of modern slavery. 

• The Brokell Foundation

  • The Brokell Foundation is a DC-based organization that supports local-based nonprofits whose primary focus is ending human trafficking. They support a broad range of objectives within the scope of ending human trafficking, including legal services to survivors, shelter, mental health, and several others. More information can be found here.

• United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund

  • The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund provides grants for NGOs that “provide tangible support” to HT survivors. They have two sub-programs: Immediate and Essential Direct Assistance for Vulnerable Victims of Trafficking in Persons, and Medium-Term Direct Assistance for Vulnerable Victims of Trafficking in Persons. Applicants may only apply to one of the programs. More information can be found here. 

• Change a Path

  • Change a Path provides grants to nonprofits that work on preventing trafficking, protecting and supporting women and children at risk or subject to trafficking, and prosecuting traffickers. They specifically fund organizations with budgets under $1 million. More information can be found here,

Government Funding

• US Department of Justice 🡪 Office of Justice Programs (OJP)

  • OJP manages several grants through their various offices. They offer grants to aid law enforcement efforts, grants for service providers, and a variety of other grants to aid in assisting survivors. 

• Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

  • OVC seeks to ensure that trafficking survivors receive support and access to services. They offer the Specialized Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Resource Development program to service providers who meet one or more of their designated purpose areas. More information about the criteria can be found here. 

Private Fundraising Tips

• When fundraising for HT survivor services, be wary of leveraging the stories of survivors as doing so can be further exploitation. Survivors are often asked or expected to share their stories without any consideration given to the impact that doing so might have on their mental health. 

• Consider hosting events that serve to educate the public in addition to raising money. Reach out to providers in the area who have worked with survivors and can speak to the community about it, such as law enforcement, legal professionals, and nonprofit workers.