Which Human Trafficking Charity to Support - Our List of Trustworthy Charities

A Human Trafficking Charity is a nonprofit organization that works to stop human trafficking and help victims by supporting survivors, advocating for legislative changes, and raising awareness to prevent further exploitation. Human trafficking is a broad term that refers to the illegal trade of humans for various purposes, primarily for exploitation such as sexual enslavement, forced labor, domestic servitude, and child soldiering, the recruitment and use of children under the age of 18 in armed conflicts.

It is estimated there are over fifty million people being trafficked somewhere in the world right now. To give a realistic reference, this means This means approximately 1 out of 160 people globally are being trafficked. And one in four of these human beings are children.

And although this exploitation is a global problem, you’d probably be surprised to know it’s possibly happening right in your own neighborhood at this very moment right here in America. In fact, smaller American towns in the U.S. are often some of the easiest places for traffickers to hide ‘in plain sight’ as there is often no specialized task force or education on trafficking awareness, so these crimes can continue to go on undetected almost indefinitely.

There are also fewer resources for victims to turn to in smaller rural areas, and many have limited funds and can often not afford to seek help due to a lack of transportation or the understanding of where to turn for help.

As an example of what charities are up against as far as legal routes to end trafficking, here’s a quote from a Tennessee Rural Law Enforcement Representative, “I am a detective for a small department in a small town of about 4,000. We hear rumors of people in our jurisdiction that operate prostitution rings, but due to our small town it is hard to get information to prosecute because the ring is so small (i.e., they know who to sell to and who not to). Plus, with limited resources we focus our efforts in other areas.”

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), Pub. L. No. 106- 386, in 2000, equipped the U.S. Government with new tools and resources to mount a comprehensive and coordinated campaign to eliminate modern forms of slavery domestically and internationally. Yet other research has shown it isn’t just the traffickers that are the problem. It’s society as a whole.

‘In the United States, the glamorization of pimping and prostitution and the sexualization of adolescent girls in popular culture may further contribute to a climate of risk and human sex trafficking.’ (APA, Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls, 2010; Kotrla, 2010). This quote, clearly demonstrates for human trafficking to end, it’s not just about catching the bad guys and putting them in jail. It’s about societies views on all facets that make it possible for trafficking to happen in the first place.

It’s easy to see why these charities are so crucial in many parts of the world. Their mission is clear, to protect vulnerable individuals, support victims, and fight exploitation. Yet the odds are set against them and this heinous crime continues on a daily basis for many. Victims of trafficking often face physical, emotional, and psychological harm. Without the help of these organizations, many survivors would have nowhere to turn for support or recovery. Human trafficking charities provide essential services like shelter, counseling, and legal assistance, giving victims a chance to rebuild their lives.

It’s a huge commitment, but one worth making. And without supporters to donate monetarily or volunteer, many of these victims would continue to live unbearable lives day after day. So if you’re looking to help stop the suffering on any level, we’re her to help you choose a solid charity to back. Any charity is worth supporting, but some are more effective than others. That’s why we’ve carefully chosen six of the best human trafficking charities to give to.

Top Trustworthy Human Trafficking Charities to Support

Your time or donations can make a massive difference when it comes to supporting these types of charities. Many of these organizations are tirelessly working to combat trafficking in all forms and are the only lifeline for many victims to reach out to. So if your looking for a trustworthy charity to support, we’ve created a list of the best human trafficking charities that make meaningful changes.

Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Cast)

Although CAST operates out of LA County in California, it is a country wide nonprofit aiming to stop all forms of slavery in the United States. Cast was founded by community activists in response to the discovery of 72 Thai workers that had been kept for seven years in slavery and debt bondage in Los Angeles County. For the twenty years since, this organization has worked to help thousands of victims of trafficking from counseling and mentorship, to legal resources and housing, to education and leadership training. There main goal is to, ‘ultimately put an end to the fastest growing criminal enterprise of the 21st century.’

Polaris Project

Polaris is a charitable organization that relies on donations and volunteers to offer the National Human Trafficking Hotline in the USA established in 2007. This hotline is often a lifeline for victims and connects them with the services and resources they need to escape their captivity and through their work has built the largest known dataset on human trafficking in North America. NHTH reported 50,123 signals were received by the Hotline in 2021 alone. Polaris also works to expose the hidden issue of human trafficking in the U.S and advocates for policy changes to bring this situation to an end. Through awareness campaigns and data collection, they help shape policies on a governmental level while sanctimoniously fighting trafficking on a national level.

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888

International Justice Mission (IJM)

The IJM is a global nonprofit and focuses on the rescue of trafficking victims and the prosecution of traffickers around the world. They have been successful in many areas by working closely with local authorities to dismantle trafficking networks and bring traffickers to justice. Once dismantled, the victims of these networks receive legal and psychological support through IJM and are often assisted in other areas such as housing or job placement. IJM's work spans across more than 20 countries, impacting the lives of thousands of individuals trapped in forced labor and sexual exploitation. Here’s a great write up on how IJM helped the Dominican Republic reduce child sex trafficking by 78% that may inspire you to support this trustworthy organization.

Walk Free

Walk Free is the creator of the Global Slavery Index, the largest and most comprehensive set of data on modern world slavery. The charity works with governments, businesses, religious and community leaders to work towards ending slavery in all forms across the globe. They do this by using the data they’ve collected to change laws and enact programs. They further invest directly into frontline organizations that have the means and ability to help free those in bondage and offer services to help victims start to rebuild their lives.

A21

A21 is another global nonprofit dedicated to eradicating all forms of human trafficking in the 21^st century. Unlike Thorn, this organization is known for its commitment to strong rescue operations and aftercare programs. Through their myriad of prevention efforts, continued education campaigns, and on going rescue operations, A21 has been able to help many victims around the world reclaim their freedom. Other approaches include working with local governments to ensure sustainable changes and empowering individuals with knowledge about trafficking risks.

Thorn

Thorn is a different kind of nonprofit in the trafficking sector, and they’ve been very effective. Instead of working with other personally, they rely on technology to spot criminal trafficking activity on the web and dark web. This cutting edge organization also provides their digital tools and talents to law enforcement to track online exploitation and claims to have 21,500+law enforcement & NGO partners. They also work to increase public awareness of the issue, using technology to prevent the online exploitation of children. Thorn’s collaboration with tech giants has helped expose dark web activity and assisted in saving vulnerable children from abuse.

These organizations play an important role in the global fight against human trafficking. By donating to or volunteering with any of these trusted charities, you’re directly contributing to the end of human trafficking and supporting those in need, ending a lifetime of grave human rights violations against all of humanity.

How Human Trafficking Charities Operate

Human trafficking charities tackle an issue so dark it’s hard to believe it exists in the modern world. Charities work to fight exploitation and provide support to victims of human trafficking. These organizations dive into rescue operations, survivor support programs, advocacy, and awareness campaigns as well as changing social norms and legislation, each piece an important part of the overall puzzle.

Rescue operations are often the starting point. Some charities work behind the scenes, tracking leads, coordinating with law enforcement, and planning every step to bring someone out of harm’s way. It’s dangerous, intense, and, frankly, not for the faint of heart.

But saving someone is just step one in the process. After, survivor support programs step in and offer safety, therapy, and a chance to rebuild. Survivors might get housing, legal help, or skills training to help them find a new path forward. And it’s often charitable work rather than governmental agencies that make all of this happen.

Then there are advocacy programs. This is when charities push for better laws and policies, ensuring traffickers face justice and survivors get protection. Then, there’s awareness. Charities run campaigns to shine a light on trafficking’s signs, often partnering with schools, church groups or businesses to reach more people. The goal here is to make trafficking harder to hide and easier to spot.

Each part plays an important role in eradicating human slavery for good. But charities can’t do it alone, they need your help. So if you’re reading this and deciding on which chairty to support, just remember, no matter which one it is, what you’re doing matters to someone in the world. Whether it be someone right in your own community, or a half a world away, no human being deserves to be enslaved.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential for tracking your nonprofit's success in achieving its mission and ensuring financial health. Here are crucial KPIs your nonprofit charity should monitor, along with their importance and formulas:

1. Donor Retention Rate

Why Track It? Retaining donors is more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. This metric shows how well you're nurturing relationships.

Formula:

Donor Retention Rate=(Number of Repeat DonorsNumber of Donors in the Previous Period)×100\text{Donor Retention Rate} = \left( \frac{\text{Number of Repeat Donors}}{\text{Number of Donors in the Previous Period}} \right) \times 100Donor Retention Rate=(Number of Donors in the Previous PeriodNumber of Repeat Donors​)×100

2. Donor Acquisition Cost (DAC)

Why Track It? Knowing how much it costs to acquire a donor helps assess the efficiency of your fundraising efforts.

Formula:

DAC=Total Cost of Donor Acquisition CampaignsNumber of New Donors Acquired\text{DAC} = \frac{\text{Total Cost of Donor Acquisition Campaigns}}{\text{Number of New Donors Acquired}}DAC=Number of New Donors AcquiredTotal Cost of Donor Acquisition Campaigns​

3. Average Donation Amount

Why Track It? Understanding the average donation size can guide your fundraising strategies.

Formula:

Average Donation Amount=Total Donations ReceivedNumber of Donations\text{Average Donation Amount} = \frac{\text{Total Donations Received}}{\text{Number of Donations}}Average Donation Amount=Number of DonationsTotal Donations Received​

4. Donation Growth Rate

Why Track It? Measures your charity's financial health and growth over time.

Formula:

Donation Growth Rate=(Total Donations This Period−Total Donations Last PeriodTotal Donations Last Period)×100\text{Donation Growth Rate} = \left( \frac{\text{Total Donations This Period} - \text{Total Donations Last Period}}{\text{Total Donations Last Period}} \right) \times 100Donation Growth Rate=(Total Donations Last PeriodTotal Donations This Period−Total Donations Last Period​)×100

5. Fundraising ROI

Why Track It? Indicates the efficiency of your fundraising campaigns.

Formula:

Fundraising ROI=Total Revenue from FundraisingTotal Fundraising Costs−1\text{Fundraising ROI} = \frac{\text{Total Revenue from Fundraising}}{\text{Total Fundraising Costs}} - 1Fundraising ROI=Total Fundraising CostsTotal Revenue from Fundraising​−1

6. Volunteer Retention Rate

Why Track It? Measures how well you’re maintaining engagement with volunteers, which impacts operational sustainability.

Formula:

Volunteer Retention Rate=(Number of Returning VolunteersTotal Volunteers Last Period)×100\text{Volunteer Retention Rate} = \left( \frac{\text{Number of Returning Volunteers}}{\text{Total Volunteers Last Period}} \right) \times 100Volunteer Retention Rate=(Total Volunteers Last PeriodNumber of Returning Volunteers​)×100

7. Program Efficiency Ratio

Why Track It? Shows the percentage of funds spent directly on programs versus administrative or fundraising costs.

Formula:

Program Efficiency Ratio=(Program ExpensesTotal Expenses)×100\text{Program Efficiency Ratio} = \left( \frac{\text{Program Expenses}}{\text{Total Expenses}} \right) \times 100Program Efficiency Ratio=(Total ExpensesProgram Expenses​)×100

8. Overhead Ratio

Why Track It? Helps ensure a balanced allocation of funds between operational and program costs.

Formula:

Overhead Ratio=(Administrative and Fundraising CostsTotal Revenue)×100\text{Overhead Ratio} = \left( \frac{\text{Administrative and Fundraising Costs}}{\text{Total Revenue}} \right) \times 100Overhead Ratio=(Total RevenueAdministrative and Fundraising Costs​)×100

9. Social Media Engagement Rate

Why Track It? Gauges the effectiveness of your digital outreach efforts to grow your audience and engage donors.

Formula:

Engagement Rate=Total Interactions (Likes, Shares, Comments)Total Followers×100\text{Engagement Rate} = \frac{\text{Total Interactions (Likes, Shares, Comments)}}{\text{Total Followers}} \times 100Engagement Rate=Total FollowersTotal Interactions (Likes, Shares, Comments)​×100

10. Grant Success Rate

Why Track It? Measures your efficiency in applying for and securing grants, a vital revenue source for nonprofits.

Formula:

Grant Success Rate=(Number of Successful Grant ApplicationsTotal Grant Applications Submitted)×100\text{Grant Success Rate} = \left( \frac{\text{Number of Successful Grant Applications}}{\text{Total Grant Applications Submitted}} \right) \times 100Grant Success Rate=(Total Grant Applications SubmittedNumber of Successful Grant Applications​)×100

11. Beneficiary Impact Metric

Why Track It? Demonstrates how many individuals or groups are benefiting from your programs, aligning your activities with your mission.

Formula:

Beneficiary Impact=Total Number of BeneficiariesTotal Program Expenses\text{Beneficiary Impact} = \frac{\text{Total Number of Beneficiaries}}{\text{Total Program Expenses}}Beneficiary Impact=Total Program ExpensesTotal Number of Beneficiaries​

12. Email Open Rate

Why Track It? Reflects the effectiveness of your email campaigns in reaching and engaging your audience.

Formula:

Open Rate=(Emails OpenedEmails Delivered)×100\text{Open Rate} = \left( \frac{\text{Emails Opened}}{\text{Emails Delivered}} \right) \times 100Open Rate=(Emails DeliveredEmails Opened​)×100

13. Recurring Donation Rate

Why Track It? Helps understand the stability of long-term financial support.

Formula:

Recurring Donation Rate=(Number of Recurring DonorsTotal Donors)×100\text{Recurring Donation Rate} = \left( \frac{\text{Number of Recurring Donors}}{\text{Total Donors}} \right) \times 100Recurring Donation Rate=(Total DonorsNumber of Recurring Donors​)×100

Final Tips:

1. Track KPIs Consistently: Use dashboards or nonprofit software like PayBee.com to automate calculations.
2. Set Benchmarks: Compare KPIs to industry standards to evaluate performance.
3. Analyze Trends: Focus on improvement over time rather than isolated values.

By tracking these KPIs and their formulas, your nonprofit will be better equipped to measure impact, optimize fundraising, and ensure sustainable growth.