What Free the Slaves does
Free the Slaves is a Washington, DC–based nonprofit working to end modern slavery — forced labor, debt bondage, trafficking and related abuses. Founded in 2000, following sociologist Kevin Bales's research on contemporary slavery, it works with local partner organizations in countries across Africa, South Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas, from Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Nepal, India and Haiti.
Rather than focusing only on individual rescues, the group aims to change the conditions that let slavery persist in a community. Its Community Liberation Model, which it also offers as a training toolkit to other NGOs, combines four strands: educating at-risk communities about their rights and safe migration, supporting survivors' recovery and reintegration, training police and courts to recognize slavery and deliver justice, and linking anti-slavery work with development and relief services. Work described on its donate page includes support for paralegals in Mauritania, research projects and survivor advocates.
Free the Slaves reported that more than 10,000 people had been freed through its work by the end of 2014, and its Charity Navigator profile now cites 14,000. Charity Navigator currently gives it a Two-Star rating (71%). It is a mid-sized organization, with about $2 million in revenue in its most recent IRS filing.
Key facts
- Reported 10,890 people freed from slavery from its 2000 founding through the end of 2014 (Free the Slaves, April 2015); its Charity Navigator profile now cites 14,000 freed
- Lists program countries across Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, including DR Congo, Ghana, Mauritania, Senegal, India, Nepal, Haiti and Brazil (About page)
- Its Community Liberation Model toolkit has four modules: empowering at-risk communities, survivor care and reintegration, strengthening the rule of law, and securing essential services
- Revenue about $2.06 million and expenses about $2.30 million in FY2024 (IRS filing via ProPublica)
Before you give
- Besides online card gifts, accepts checks by mail, stock, bequests, workplace giving and the Combined Federal Campaign; contact info@freetheslaves.net for non-card gifts (donate page).
Common questions
Is Free the Slaves a legitimate charity?
Tax status: US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. It files with the IRS under EIN 56-2189635, and its annual returns are public on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer. Worth knowing — Charity Navigator: 2 of 4 stars · score 71%. As with any charity, check its latest filings before a large gift.
Are donations to Free the Slaves tax-deductible?
US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers.
Where does Free the Slaves work?
Free the Slaves works in Africa, South Asia, Latin America. It is based in Washington, DC.
How do I donate to Free the Slaves?
Use the Donate button on this page — it goes straight to Free the Slaves's own donation page on freetheslaves.net. randomcharity.com doesn't process payments, doesn't see your card details and takes no cut.
Sources
- freetheslaves.net/donate/
- freetheslaves.net/about-us/
- freetheslaves.net/our-work/community-liberation-initiative/
- freetheslaves.net/free-the-slaves-makes-history-10000-slaves-freed/
- charitynavigator.org/ein/562189635
- projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/562189635
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_the_Slaves
Profile researched and last reviewed September 2026. Ratings and figures change — the linked evaluator pages always show the current version.