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Human Trafficking Legal Center

EIN 46-1349584 · Washington, DC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING LEGAL CENTER FIGHTS TO SHIFT THE BALANCE OF POWER FROM TRAFFICKERS TO SURVIVORS. WE ENSURE SURVIVORS HAVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM TRAFFICKERS, GOVERNMENTS AND CORPORATIONS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
11.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
15
Volunteers
54
Highest pay
$145,567, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (6)
  1. $600,543 spent. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: IN 2025, HTLC CONTINUED ITS WORK ON STRATEGIC LITIGATION AND TRADE REMEDIES TO COMBAT FORCED LABOR IN SUPPLY CHAINS. HTLC CONTINUED TO LEAD THE COALITION AGAINST FORCED LABOUR IN TRADE, AN INTERNATIONAL COALITION OF 18 MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS IN 8 COUNTRIES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION JOINTLY ADVOCATING FOR THE ADOPTION OF IMPORT BANS AS A TOOL TO COMBAT FORCED LABOR. HTLC CONTINUED TO CHAIR THE TARIFF ACT ADVOCATES GROUP, A COALITION OF U.S. ORGANIZATIONS PRESSING FOR ENFORCEMENT OF SECTION 307 OF THE U.S. TARIFF ACT. HTLC PUBLISHED A REPORT ON CIVIL TRAFFICKING CASES FILED IN 2024, USING CIVIL LITIGATION TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING: 2024 DATA UPDATE. THE REPORT IDENTIFIED KEY LITIGATION TRENDS AND TRACKED CIVIL CASE DATA. HTLC CONTINUED TO FIGHT FOR MANDATORY RESTITUTION FOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS, PRESSING FEDERAL COURTS TO ORDER - AND COLLECT - MANDATORY COMPENSATION IN FEDERAL CRIMINAL CASES. HTLC ALSO COLLABORATED CLOSELY WITH TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR-LEADERS, INCLUDING THE HARRIET TUBMAN FELLOWS, TO BRING TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS' VOICES INTO HIGH-LEVEL POLICY DISCUSSIONS.
  2. $215,558 spent. CASE MANAGEMENT AND REFERRAL TO PRO BONO ATTORNEYS: IN 2025, HTLC REFERRED 36 MATTERS TO PRO BONO PARTNERS. PRO BONO REFERRALS INCLUDED CRIMINAL VICTIM-WITNESS MATTERS, CIVIL CASES, TAX CASES, IMMIGRATION CASES, AND LEGAL SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SERVICES TO SURVIVORS. THESE PRO BONO REFERRALS CONNECTED CLIENTS WITH HIGHLY-SKILLED PRO BONO ADVOCATES, LEVERAGING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FREE LEGAL SERVICES FOR TRAFFICKING VICTIMS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD LEGAL REPRESENTATION. IN ADDITION TO THESE REFERRALS, HTLC CONTINUED TO GROW ITS IN-HOUSE REPRESENTATION FOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS IN IMMIGRATION AND CRIMINAL VICTIM-WITNESS CASES, PROVIDING PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 30 TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS IN 2025. HTLC ALSO HELD A CLINIC FOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS SEEKING COMPENSATION UNDER THE BACKPAGE REMISSION PROGRAM, CONNECTING TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS WITH PRO BONO COUNSEL TO FILE COMPENSATION PETITIONS.THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED $1,551,315 IN DONATED SERVICES IN 2025. PRO BONO LEGAL WORK FOR THE ORGANIZATION CONSTITUTED THE VAST MAJORITY OF THIS AMOUNT. PRO BONO LAWYERS DRAFTED AMICUS BRIEFS, CONDUCTED LEGAL RESEARCH, AND CO-AUTHORED PUBLICATIONS WITH HTLC. PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES NEARLY DOUBLED HTLC'S CAPACITY, WITH 82 PERCENT OF THE ORGANIZATION'S RESOURCES DEVOTED DIRECTLY TO PROGRAMS.
  3. $67,930 spent. DATABASE MANAGEMENT: HTLC MAINTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE DATABASE OF EVERY FEDERAL CIVIL TRAFFICKING CASE FILED UNDER THE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT, 18 USC 1595. THE ORGANIZATION USES THE DATABASE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PRO BONO ATTORNEYS HANDLING TRAFFICKING CASES IN THE FEDERAL COURTS. THE DATABASE IS AVAILABLE TO PRO BONO COUNSEL FOR FREE. THE CENTER ALSO USES THE DATABASE TO CONDUCT IN DEPTH RESEARCH ON TRENDS IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING CIVIL LITIGATION, PUBLISHING ANALYTICAL REPORTS ON CIVIL CASES ANNUALLY. THE DATABASE CURRENTLY HOUSES MORE THAN 1,770 CASES.
  4. $49,858 spent. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PRO BONO ATTORNEYS: HTLC PROVIDED EXTENSIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND MENTORING TO ATTORNEYS HANDLING TRAFFICKING CASES PRO BONO IN 2025. IN ADDITION TO A GENERAL RESOURCE LIBRARY, HTLC PROVIDED PRO BONO COUNSEL ACCESS TO THE ORGANIZATION'S COMPREHENSIVE DATABASE OF EVERY CIVIL TRAFFICKING CASE FILED UNDER THE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT. AS OF DECEMBER 2025, THE DATABASE INCLUDED 1585 CIVIL CASES (604 LABOR TRAFFICKING, 937 SEX TRAFFICKING, 44 BOTH SEX AND LABOR TRAFFICKING). HTLC MADE ITS COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL CASE DATABASE AVAILABLE TO MORE THAN 400 PRO BONO ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES NATIONWIDE. THE ORGANIZATION HELD MONTHLY CIVIL LITIGATION CALLS TO SHARE CASE UPDATES AND BUILD A COMMUNITY OF ANTI-TRAFFICKING CIVIL LITIGATORS.IN 2025, HTLC'S ATTORNEYS PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 950 HOURS OF EXPERT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS' RIGHTS ATTORNEYS, PRO BONO LAWYERS, CIVIL LITIGATORS, AND IMMIGRATION PRACTITIONERS. PRO BONO COUNSEL, WITH TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM HTLC ATTORNEYS, WON SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES AND CRIMINAL RESTITUTION FOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS.
  5. $20,118 spent. TRAINING OF PRO BONO ATTORNEYS: SINCE ITS INCEPTION, HTLC HAS TRAINED MORE THAN 5,600 PRO BONO ATTORNEYS AT LAW FIRMS AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. HTLC PROVIDES THESE TRAINING SESSIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE CURRICULUM INCLUDES TRAINING FOR PRO BONO ATTORNEYS ON CRIMINAL RESTITUTION FOR TRAFFICKING VICTIMS, REMISSION FOR TRAFFICKING VICTIMS, CIVIL LITIGATION ON BEHALF OF TRAFFICKING VICTIMS, STRATEGIC LITIGATION, TRADE REMEDIES, AND IMMIGRATION RELIEF FOR VICTIMS. HTLC HAS REACHED THOUSANDS MORE ATTORNEYS THROUGH ONLINE TRAINING SESSIONS, NATIONAL WEBINARS, AND NATIONAL CONFERENCES. IN ADDITION TO TRAINING PROVIDED TO PRO BONO TEAMS, THE ORGANIZATION'S ATTORNEYS FREQUENTLY GUEST LECTURE AT LAW SCHOOLS, PROVIDING INSTRUCTION TO LAW STUDENTS ON STRATEGIC LITIGATION TO COMBAT FORCED LABOR, TRADE REMEDIES, AND IMMIGRATION RELIEF FOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS.
  6. $9,354 spent. ADVOCACY: IN 2025, HTLC ADVOCATED FOR PROTECTIONS FOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS, AS WELL AS ACCESS TO JUSTICE. THE ORGANIZATION ADVOCATED FOR USCIS TO APPROVE T VISAS, A FORM OF IMMIGRATION RELIEF RESERVED FOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS. HTLC LED AN ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN URGING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO APPROVE 5,000 T VISAS, THE STATUTORY ANNUAL CAP FOR T VISAS. HTLC CONDUCTED APPELLATE ADVOCACY FOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS, FILING AN AMICUS BRIEF IN THE D.C. CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS ON BEHALF OF WORKERS HELD IN FORCED LABOR. THE ORGANIZATION ADVOCATED FOR AN END TO FORCED LABOR IN GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS, LEADING THE COALITION AGAINST FORCED LABOUR IN TRADE AND THE TARIFF ACT ADVOCATES GROUP. THESE COALITIONS PRESSED FOR ROBUST ENFORCEMENT OF IMPORT BANS TO BLOCK GOODS TAINTED BY FORCED LABOR FROM ENTERING MARKETS AROUND THE GLOBE. HTLC WORKED WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO FILE PETITIONS AND ADVOCATE FOR ENFORCEMENT UNDER SECTION 307 OF THE TARIFF ACT. HTLC ALSO LED EFFORTS TO MARK THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT AND THE PALERMO PROTOCOL, HOLDING ONE ADVOCACY EVENT AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY AND PROVIDING LEADERSHIP FOR A CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM: IN 2025, HTLC CONTINUED TO ADMINISTER THE HARRIET TUBMAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM TO SUPPORT LABOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS LEADING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE HARRIET TUBMAN FELLOWS, SEVEN REMARKABLE LEADERS SELECTED FROM A COMPETITIVE FIELD OF EIGHTY-FOUR CANDIDATES, EACH RECEIVED A TWO-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP TO PURSUE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. IN 2025, THE HARRIET TUBMAN FELLOWS RETURNED TO WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR A WEEK OF ADVOCACY TRAINING AND MEETINGS WITH CONGRESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS. HTLC INCLUDED SURVIVOR-LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS OF THE ORGANIZATION: ON THE STAFF, ON THE ORGANIZATION'S LEADERSHIP TEAM, ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AS CONSULTANTS, AND ON THE ADVISORY BOARD.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2014.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.