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Polaris

Works to end sex and labor trafficking in North America through data analysis, financial-intelligence reports on trafficking networks, public and business training, and policy advocacy — after running the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline from 2007 to 2025.

For 18 years Polaris ran the national trafficking hotline, which it says identified 218,000+ victims — now it uses that data to track trafficking networks and push for stronger laws.

You give directly to Polaris. randomcharity.com takes $0 and never touches your money.

What Polaris does

Polaris is a Washington, DC–based nonprofit working to end sex and labor trafficking in North America. It was founded in 2002 by Brown University students Katherine Chon and Derek Ellerman, and from 2007 until 2025 it ran the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline, a 24/7 service for victims, survivors and people reporting tips.

In September 2025, Polaris announced that the Department of Health and Human Services had awarded the hotline agreement to another organization, ending its 18-year run as operator. Polaris says it is continuing its broader work: studying the large dataset built from hotline contacts to understand how trafficking operates, producing financial-intelligence packages on trafficking networks, training businesses and the public (more than 59,800 people have completed its Human Trafficking 101 course), reaching migrant farmworkers, and pressing for policy change.

Over its years running the hotline, Polaris reports 463,000+ contacts and more than 218,000 victims identified, and it says it helped advance nine federal and more than 100 state anti-trafficking laws. Charity Navigator currently gives it a Two-Star rating. Donors should note that a gift to Polaris now supports its research, advocacy and training work rather than the hotline itself.

Key facts

  • Operated the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline from 2007 to 2025; in 2025 HHS awarded the hotline to another operator, Compass Connections (Polaris impact page; Polaris statement of Sept. 22, 2025)
  • Reports that during 2007–2025 the hotline handled 463,000+ contacts and identified 112,000+ trafficking situations and 218,000+ victims (Polaris impact page)
  • Says it has helped advance nine federal laws and more than 100 state laws on trafficking (impact page)
  • More than 59,800 people have completed its Human Trafficking 101 training (impact page)

Before you give

  • Gives online by card, PayPal, bank account or DAFpay; by check to Polaris, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 392710, Pittsburgh, PA 15251-9700; by stock transfer; and via employer matching or donated hotel points/airline miles (donate page, Donor FAQs).
  • Polaris no longer operates the National Human Trafficking Hotline; anyone needing help should use the hotline directly, which is now run by a different organization.

Common questions

Is Polaris a legitimate charity?

Tax status: US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. It files with the IRS under EIN 03-0391561, and its annual returns are public on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer. Worth knowing — Charity Navigator: 2 of 4 stars. As with any charity, check its latest filings before a large gift.

Are donations to Polaris tax-deductible?

US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers.

Where does Polaris work?

Polaris works in United States. It is based in Washington, DC.

How do I donate to Polaris?

Use the Donate button on this page — it goes straight to Polaris's own donation page on polarisproject.org. randomcharity.com doesn't process payments, doesn't see your card details and takes no cut.

Sources

  1. polarisproject.org/donate/
  2. secure.polarisproject.org/donate/give-today
  3. polarisproject.org/donor-faqs/
  4. polarisproject.org/our-impact/
  5. polarisproject.org/press-releases/polaris-issues-statement-on-the-future-of-th
  6. ndhttf.org/blog/2025/12/19/compass-connections-takes-the-lead-what-you
  7. charitynavigator.org/ein/030391561
  8. projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/30391561
  9. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaris_Project

Profile researched and last reviewed September 2026. Ratings and figures change — the linked evaluator pages always show the current version.

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