THE AHLA FOUNDATION granted $1 million to the 2024-2025 No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund grantees, eight community-based organizations aiding human trafficking survivors. The grantees were announced at the third annual NRFT Summit on July 30, coinciding with United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a global campaign to end child trafficking.
“The No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund is a first for our industry, and already, it’s a powerful example of collective impact and what we can achieve when the industry comes together,” said Anna Blue, AHLA Foundation’s president. “This year, we were able to double the total awarded funds from $500,000 in 2023 to $1 million in 2024 and invite more than 40 community-based organizations to apply.”
The 2024-2025 Survivor Fund grantees include:
- 3 Strands Global: Supports survivors with workforce development, training and career placement services.
- Empowered Network: Addresses societal barriers through advocacy and funding to help survivors achieve economic freedom.
- New Friends New Life: Provides trauma-informed counseling, case management, economic empowerment and emergency services.
- Rebecca Bender Initiative: Trains law enforcement, community leaders, professionals and families to identify and support trafficking victims.
- Restore, NYC Inc.: Offers job placement, entrepreneurship and career development services.
- University of Maryland SAFE Center: Provides survivor-centered and trauma-informed services to help trafficking survivors heal and reclaim their lives.
The foundation’s total award also includes transitional support for 2023-2024 grantees Safe House Project and Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking, AHLA Foundation said in a statement.
In addition to the Survivor Fund awards, the AHLA Foundation provided microgrants to 10 organizations for specific material purchases, supporting the development, empowerment and economic independence of survivors.
The AHLA Foundation recently shared data showing the impact of the inaugural NRFT Survivor Fund grantees in 2023-2024. In one year, the NRFT Survivor Fund supported nearly 650 survivors with workforce training, employment preparedness, and emergency exit services.
NRFT Advisory Council co-chairs Joan Bottarini, CFO of Hyatt, and Farah Bhayani, general counsel/chief compliance officer of G6 Hospitality, spotlighted the grantees at the summit.
The NRFT Advisory Council and Survivor Fund are supported by companies including Aimbridge Hospitality, Choice Hotels International, Extended Stay America, G6 Hospitality, Hilton Global Foundation, Hyatt Hotels Foundation, IHG Hotels & Resorts, The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, Marriott International, Real Hospitality Group, Red Roof, Sonesta International, Summit Foundation, Vision Hospitality Group and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
Marriott International also launched HotelHelp, a pilot room donation program for human trafficking survivors, at the summit, partnering with care providers to offer short-term stays at Marriott properties.
