The Freedom Fund Uk

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £3.7 million (UK entity, 2023); US $92.8 million total invested globally
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Approximately 3 months (based on similar programs)
• Grant Range: Up to US $20,000 (Survivor Leadership Fund); hotspot partnerships vary
• Geographic Focus: International - Brazil, Nepal, Ethiopia, Myanmar, India (multiple states), Thailand

Contact Details

Website: www.freedomfund.org

Email: info@freedomfund.org

Phone: +44 20 3777 2200

Partner Hub: freedomfund.org/resources/partner-hub/

Charity Number: 1158838 (England & Wales)

Overview

The Freedom Fund was founded in 2014 as a collaborative philanthropic initiative to bring strategic focus and financial resources to the fight against modern slavery. The organization operates as a “meta-charity,” identifying and investing in the most effective frontline efforts to end slavery in countries and sectors where it is most prevalent. Since inception, the Fund has partnered with 288 frontline organizations, impacting the lives of over 1.6 million people directly and creating greater resistance to slavery and trafficking for over 10 million people. In 2021, the organization received a transformative $35 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, recognizing their decentralized-partnering style of operations. The UK entity (charity 1158838) had income of £3.7 million and expenditure of £3.8 million in 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Survivor Leadership Fund: Up to US $20,000 - Unrestricted grants to survivor-led organizations where one or more people in leadership positions have lived experience of exploitation. Flexible funding can be used for programs, staff, and office costs. Trust-based approach with minimal reporting. Currently not accepting applications - check website for reopening.

Hotspot Projects: Varies by program - Multi-year partnerships in geographically defined “hotspots” with high concentrations of modern slavery. The Fund proactively identifies and convenes networks of local grassroots organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications. Hotspot partnerships typically run for 5 years with the goal of measurable reduction in slavery.

Convening Fund: Supports regional and international convenings with clear objectives supporting the anti-slavery movement. Priority given to convenings in the Global South and countries where Freedom Fund programs operate. Not currently accepting applications.

Partner Support Grants: Unrestricted grants for current partners meeting specific criteria to support organizational development and resilience.

Priority Areas

• Community-based interventions to combat modern slavery and human trafficking
• Survivor leadership and survivor-led organizations
• Frontline grassroots organizations in high-prevalence regions
• Systems change initiatives influencing government, media, and business
• Anti-slavery movement building at local, regional, and global levels
• Organizations addressing forced labor, bonded labor, child labor, and commercial sexual exploitation
• Organizations led by women, marginalized communities, and individuals with lived experience

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside their strategic geographic hotspots (for hotspot programs)
• Current Freedom Fund partners (for Survivor Leadership Fund)
• Individual research projects without direct frontline impact
• Organizations without anti-discrimination policies
• Programs not focused on modern slavery and trafficking

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Governance and Leadership

CEO: Nick Grono (appointed inaugural CEO in January 2014) - Previously CEO of Walk Free Foundation and Deputy President/COO of International Crisis Group. On his burden as CEO, Grono stated: "For me, the heaviest burden is the recognition that if I fail, those we serve—for the Freedom Fund, some of the world's most vulnerable people—will likely not get the support they desperately need."

Chair: Molly Gochman (appointed 2024) - Founder of the Stardust Fund, previously recommended a $6 million multi-year grant to the Freedom Fund. Succeeded Alan McCormick of Legatum, who served as inaugural chair for ten years.

Vice Chairs: Andrew Doust and Mahendra Pandey

Founding Organizations: Governance includes representation from Walk Free (Grace Forrest), Legatum (Alan McCormick), and Humanity United (Srik Gopal).

On the organization's objectives, Grono stated at appointment: “My objective is to leverage private donor funds to significantly increase the impact of new and existing anti-slavery initiatives around the world. Our goal is to work with others to free a significant proportion of the estimated 30 million people in slavery today, and prevent millions of others from being enslaved.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Survivor Leadership Fund: Simple online application form followed by a discussion with a Freedom Fund staff panel for applicants meeting criteria. Application can be submitted by anyone in the organization. Resources available include application guide and FAQ. Currently not accepting applications - check freedomfund.org/work/movement-building/survivor-leadership-fund/ for updates.

Hotspot Partnerships: No open application process. The Freedom Fund proactively identifies partners through scoping processes, speaking to practitioners, funders, and trusted experts, and working with locally-based Program Advisors. They specifically seek out organizations led by women, people from marginalized communities, and individuals with lived experience.

Partner Hub: Current and potential partners can access resources at freedomfund.org/resources/partner-hub/

Decision Timeline

Approximately 3 months from application to final decision (based on comparable programs). Applicants meeting initial criteria are invited for discussions with staff panels before final decisions.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The organization invested US $92.8 million and supported 225+ frontline organizations through 2024.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. For Survivor Leadership Fund, current Freedom Fund partners are not eligible to apply.

Application Success Factors

Partner Selection Criteria: The Freedom Fund requires all partners to have anti-discrimination policies and prioritizes organizations taking steps to advance equity in their work. They look for partners who actively hold themselves accountable to the communities they serve, both by consulting local stakeholders in program development and enabling program participants to provide feedback.

Survivor Leadership Fund Grantees' Feedback: Grantees highlighted the straightforward and accessible application process, minimal due diligence and reporting processes, and unrestricted funding as important success factors.

Strategic Approach: The organization values the hotspot model's focus on community empowerment: “Equipping communities with the practical and psychological tools to resist exploitation, and supporting civil society organisations to represent them and advance their cause, is one of the surest ways to make a truly lasting difference in the fight against slavery.”

Community-Based Focus: They work alongside civil society partners to implement community-based interventions that inform and empower communities to understand their rights, speak up about abuses, and access support services. The approach emphasizes network building, reducing competition, and creating “network capital” to build powerful coalitions.

Key Characteristics They Seek:

• Organizations closest to the problem (frontline, grassroots)
• Leadership from affected communities
• Commitment to community accountability
• Focus on sustainable, systems-level change
• Willingness to collaborate within networks

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic limitations: Unless specifically eligible for the Survivor Leadership Fund, most opportunities are in established hotspots (Brazil, Nepal, Ethiopia, Myanmar, India, Thailand) through proactive identification rather than open applications.

• Survivor leadership valued: Organizations with lived experience in leadership positions are prioritized. For the Survivor Leadership Fund, this is a core eligibility requirement.

• Unrestricted funding approach: The Freedom Fund emphasizes trust-based philanthropy with minimal reporting requirements and flexible fund usage, reflecting their belief in partner autonomy.

• Network and collaboration focus: Success in hotspot programs requires willingness to work collaboratively with other organizations, share learnings, and participate in communities of practice.

• Systems change over service delivery: Increasing emphasis on influencing government, media, and business rather than solely providing direct services.

• Community accountability matters: Demonstrating mechanisms for consulting local stakeholders and enabling participant feedback is important for partner selection.

• Long-term commitment: Hotspot programs typically run for 5 years with the goal of measurable, sustainable impact.

References

• Freedom Fund official website: www.freedomfund.org
• Charity Commission Register of Charities: The Freedom Fund UK, Charity Number 1158838
• Freedom Fund Impact Report 2023-2024: freedomfund.org/impact/impact-report-2023/
• Freedom Fund Financials page: freedomfund.org/about/financials/
• Survivor Leadership Fund page: freedomfund.org/work/movement-building/survivor-leadership-fund/
• Freedom Fund Hotspot Model: freedomfund.org/programs/hotspot-projects/
• Freedom Fund Strategic Plan 2025-2030: freedomfund.org/app/uploads/2025/01/freedomfund-strategicplan-2025-2030.pdf
• “The Freedom Fund Welcomes a New Chair and Board Members” - News release, January 2024
• “Nick Grono appointed inaugural CEO of the $100 million Freedom Fund” - Press release, freedomfund.org (2014)
• “Our thanks to MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett” - freedomfund.org/news/ (2021)
• Nick Grono quote from ACEVO article: “What are the priorities for a new nonprofit CEO?” (2024)
• Partner selection criteria from Funding Frontline Impact resource: fundingfrontlineimpact.org