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Nonprofiteer
← POLARIS PROJECT

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by POLARIS PROJECT.

Totals

Total revenue
$11,051,294
Total expenses
$13,221,347
Contributions and grants received
$11,013,014
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$38,280
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$9,330,616
Total liabilities, end of year
$9,471,264
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
-$140,648
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$9,335,985
Management and general expenses
$2,483,057
Fundraising expenses
$1,402,305
Program service expenses (Part III)
$9,335,985

Program services were 70.6% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $5,357,207

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $5,655,807

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $38,280 · excluded $38,280

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,038,581 · program services $771,740 · management and general $172,104 · fundraising $94,737

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $5,848,886 · program services $4,352,647 · management and general $961,873 · fundraising $534,366

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $76,390 · program services $55,428 · management and general $14,166 · fundraising $6,796

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,669,434 · program services $1,211,316 · management and general $309,592 · fundraising $148,526

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $618,011 · program services $448,420 · management and general $114,608 · fundraising $54,983

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $60,448 · management and general $60,448

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $75,606 · management and general $75,606

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $192,000 · fundraising $192,000

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $1,106,021 · program services $838,570 · management and general $167,185 · fundraising $100,266

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $66,115 · program services $45,197 · management and general $9,948 · fundraising $10,970

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $233,258 · program services $159,458 · management and general $35,097 · fundraising $38,703

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $647,131 · program services $442,387 · management and general $97,370 · fundraising $107,374

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $819,069 · program services $579,703 · management and general $192,751 · fundraising $46,615

  • 17 · Travel

    total $57,615 · program services $35,560 · management and general $12,772 · fundraising $9,283

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $16,671 · program services $10,289 · management and general $3,696 · fundraising $2,686

  • 20 · Interest

    total $25,819 · management and general $25,819

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $318,239 · program services $240,575 · management and general $48,129 · fundraising $29,535

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $108,154 · program services $80,486 · management and general $17,787 · fundraising $9,881

  • 24a · Other expenses: BAD DEBT EXPENSE

    total $149,973 · management and general $149,973

  • 24b · Other expenses: DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $93,926 · program services $64,209 · management and general $14,133 · fundraising $15,584

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,095,833 · end of year $773,333

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $323,740 · end of year $203,581

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,983,998 · end of year $1,107,163

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    end of year $1,161

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $148,045 · end of year $155,365

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $3,041,031

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $1,585,032

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $1,774,237 · end of year $1,455,999

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $6,277,492 · end of year $5,634,014

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $522,214 · end of year $1,087,325

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $174,447 · end of year $561,066

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $8,626,613 · end of year $7,822,873

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $174,172 · end of year -$2,463,331

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $2,105,899 · end of year $2,322,683

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

POLARIS WORKS TO END SEX AND LABOR TRAFFICKING AND RESTORE FREEDOM TO SURVIVORS.

  • NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE - POLARIS CONTINUED OPERATING THE U.S. NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE (NHTH), WITH FUNDING FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, OFFICE ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (OTIP) AND PRIVATE DONATIONS. THE NHTH PROVIDES VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACCESS TO CRITICAL SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO GET HELP AND STAY SAFE, 24-7, IN MORE THAN 200 LANGUAGES ACROSS FIVE MODES OF COMMUNICATION - PHONE, CHAT, TEXT, WEBFORM, AND EMAIL.

    Expenses $5,440,518 · Revenue $11,013,014

  • FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT - POLARIS' FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT LEVERAGES THE REACH, EXPERTISE, AND MOTIVATION OF THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL SECTOR TO IDENTIFY HUMAN TRAFFICKING OPERATIONS THROUGH THEIR FINANCIAL FOOTPRINTS. POLARIS WORKS TO IDENTIFY SUSPICIOUS FINANCIAL ACTIVITY, CONDUCT TRAININGS FOR FINANCIAL AND ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROFESSIONALS, AND SUPPORT CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST TRAFFICKERS.

    Expenses $702,704

  • WORKERS' RIGHTS/LABOR TRAFFICKING - POLARIS ADVOCATES FOR VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT OF BASIC LABOR PROTECTIONS AFFORDED TO WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS REDUCING LABOR TRAFFICKING, AS WOULD EFFORTS TO HELP WORKERS UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS AND THE PROTECTIONS AVAILABLE TO THEM. POLARIS ALSO ADVOCATES FOR INCREASED EMPLOYER ACCOUNTABILITY OR "SKIN IN THE GAME", WHICH ARE VITAL TO REDUCING LABOR TRAFFICKING.

    Expenses $712,962

  • POLARIS' LARGEST OTHER PROGRAM IS LEARNING, INNOVATION AND DATA SYSTEMS (LIDS), WHICH DEVELOPS A DATA DRIVEN UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, GENERATES RESEARCH AND DATA PRODUCTS FOR USE BY THE ANTI-TRAFFICKING FIELD, AND SUPPORTS POLARIS' MONITORING AND EVALUATION TO ENSURE PROGRAMS HAVE THEIR INTENDED IMPACT.

    Expenses $2,479,801

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • JEAN GILBERT

    BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    10

  • ELIZABETH KIEHNER

    BOARD SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MARIA GOLLAYAN

    BOARD TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • SUSAN COPPEDGE

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BORIS GARTNER

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • TANYA GOULD

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JESSICA HERRERA-FLANIGAN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • SANGEETA NAIK

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • FREDERICK REYNOLDS

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ANGEL SWIFT

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • SARAH TAKATANI

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ROY AUSTIN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CATHERINE CHEN

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO

    Total calculated
    $257,135
    From this org
    $238,552
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,583
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $238,552
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $5,417
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,166
    Filer's total
    $257,135

  • PATRICK MCINTRE

    CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $213,705
    From this org
    $196,701
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,004
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $196,701
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,212
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,792
    Filer's total
    $213,705

  • ALFONSO WRIGHT

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $198,845
    From this org
    $193,424
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,421
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $193,424
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,304
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,117
    Filer's total
    $198,845

  • MICHELLE NICHOLSON

    CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $207,505
    From this org
    $193,346
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,159
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $193,346
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $993
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,166
    Filer's total
    $207,505

  • JENNIFER JUNKS

    CHIEF STRATEGY & IMPACT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $161,390
    From this org
    $154,455
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,935
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $154,455
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $2,317
    Nontaxable benefits
    $4,618
    Filer's total
    $161,390

  • SARA WOLDEHANNA

    DIRECTOR, LIDS

    Total calculated
    $183,123
    From this org
    $144,656
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $38,467
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $144,656
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,096
    Nontaxable benefits
    $35,371
    Filer's total
    $183,123

  • MEGAN CUTTER

    DIRECTOR, NATIONAL HOTLINE

    Total calculated
    $155,154
    From this org
    $138,908
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,246
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $138,908
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,080
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,166
    Filer's total
    $155,154

  • MARGO KELLY

    DIRECTOR, FOUNDATION RELATIONS

    Total calculated
    $163,463
    From this org
    $137,024
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,439
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $137,024
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,030
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,409
    Filer's total
    $163,463

  • FORREST JACOBS

    DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY

    Total calculated
    $146,121
    From this org
    $128,057
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,064
    Hours/week
    50

  • FRANS KLINKENBERGH

    DIRECTOR, ACCOUNTING

    Total calculated
    $127,303
    From this org
    $123,896
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $3,407
    Hours/week
    50

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 3
THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING THE COMPENSATION OF POLARIS' CEO INCLUDED A REVIEW OF REGION-SPECIFIC SALARY SURVEYS WITHIN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR AND COMPARISONS OF FORM 990 INFORMATION OF SIMILAR-SIZED ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE FIELD AND RELATED FIELDS.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
12 November 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202543189349308279

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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