Nonprofit · EIN 03-0391561
POLARIS PROJECT
Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20035
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $11,051,294 | $13,221,347 | -$2,170,053 | $9,330,616 | $9,471,264 | -$140,648 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $10,212,332 | $14,954,213 | -$4,741,881 | $11,603,345 | $9,323,274 | $2,280,071 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $11,013,014
- of which government grants
- $5,357,207
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $38,280
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,038,581
- Other salaries and wages
- $5,848,886
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $9,251,302
- Professional fundraising fees
- $192,000
- Legal fees
- $60,448
- Accounting fees
- $75,606
- Occupancy
- $819,069
- Travel
- $57,615
- Depreciation
- $318,239
- Program services (functional)
- $9,335,985
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,483,057
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,402,305
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $11,603,345
- Total assets, end of year
- $9,330,616
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $9,471,264
- Net assets, end of year
- -$140,648
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $1,455,999
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- -$2,463,331
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $2,322,683
- Gross receipts
- $11,051,294
- Employees
- 133
- Volunteers
- 11
- Year formed
- 2002
- State of legal domicile
- DC
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATHERINE CHEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO Officer | 50 | $238,552 | $18,583 |
| PATRICK MCINTRE | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Officer | 50 | $196,701 | $17,004 |
| MICHELLE NICHOLSON | CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER Officer | 50 | $193,346 | $14,159 |
| ALFONSO WRIGHT | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 50 | $193,424 | $5,421 |
| SARA WOLDEHANNA | DIRECTOR, LIDS Highest-paid employee | 50 | $144,656 | $38,467 |
| MARGO KELLY | DIRECTOR, FOUNDATION RELATIONS Highest-paid employee | 50 | $137,024 | $26,439 |
| JENNIFER JUNKS | CHIEF STRATEGY & IMPACT OFFICER Officer | 50 | $154,455 | $6,935 |
| MEGAN CUTTER | DIRECTOR, NATIONAL HOTLINE Highest-paid employee | 50 | $138,908 | $16,246 |
| FORREST JACOBS | DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY Highest-paid employee | 50 | $128,057 | $18,064 |
| FRANS KLINKENBERGH | DIRECTOR, ACCOUNTING Highest-paid employee | 50 | $123,896 | $3,407 |
| JEAN GILBERT | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH KIEHNER | BOARD SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARIA GOLLAYAN | BOARD TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN COPPEDGE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BORIS GARTNER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
7 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TANYA GOULD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JESSICA HERRERA-FLANIGAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SANGEETA NAIK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| FREDERICK REYNOLDS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANGEL SWIFT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SARAH TAKATANI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROY AUSTIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATHERINE CHEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO Officer | 50 | $267,333 | $20,880 |
| JENNIFER JINKS | CHIEF STRATEGY & IMPACT OFFICER Officer | 50 | $189,997 | $24,467 |
| PATRICK MCINTYRE | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Officer | 50 | $191,672 | $17,854 |
| ALFONSO WRIGHT | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 50 | $195,653 | $8,940 |
| MICHELLE NICHOLSON | CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER Officer | 50 | $183,412 | $17,524 |
| CAREN BENJAMIN | CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Officer | 50 | $157,272 | $11,942 |
| DAMON GORHAM | DIRECTOR OF TECH OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 50 | $138,427 | $26,999 |
| SARA WOLDEHANNA | DIRECTOR, LEARNING INNOVATION & DATA SYSTEMS Highest-paid employee | 50 | $128,104 | $33,821 |
| MARGO KELLY | DIRECTOR OF FOUNDATION RELATIONS Highest-paid employee | 50 | $133,905 | $23,256 |
| MEGAN CUTTER | NATIONAL HOTLINE DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 50 | $137,015 | $14,135 |
| JEAN GILBERT | BOARD CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 | $0 |
| LIZ KIEHNER | BOARD SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARIA GOLLAYAN | BOARD TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ROY AUSTIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSICA HERRERA-FLANIGAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN COPPEDGE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BORIS GARTNER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TANYA GOULD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SANGEETA NAIK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANGEL NGUYEN SWIFT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FREDERICK REYNOLDS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SARAH TAKATANI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- PO BOX 65323, WASHINGTON, DC 20035-5323
- In care of
- % ALFONSO WRIGHT
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- JEAN GILBERT, PO BOX 65323, WASHINGTON, DC 20035
- Signed the 990
- JEAN GILBERT, CHAIR
- Phone
- (202) 790-6300
- Website
- POLARISPROJECT.ORG
- Return prepared by
- LANE & COMPANY CPAS
Mission
POLARIS WORKS TO END SEX AND LABOR TRAFFICKING AND RESTORE FREEDOM TO SURVIVORS.
Program accomplishments
- 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
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | Not on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 03-0391561
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2002
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- International, foreign affairs and national security (Q70)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $9,330,616
- Income (IRS master file)
- $11,051,294
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2024 | $11,051,294 | $13,221,347 | $9,330,616 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $10,212,332 | $14,954,213 | $11,603,345 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $14,769,645 | $14,482,007 | $17,393,440 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 03-0391561).
Questions about POLARIS PROJECT
- What is the EIN of POLARIS PROJECT?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of POLARIS PROJECT is 03-0391561.
- Is POLARIS PROJECT tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2002.
- Are donations to POLARIS PROJECT tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does POLARIS PROJECT file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of POLARIS PROJECT due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did POLARIS PROJECT last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
- Who is the principal officer of POLARIS PROJECT?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names JEAN GILBERT.
- Who are the officers and directors of POLARIS PROJECT?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 22 people; 10 received compensation from the organization, the highest $238,552 (CATHERINE CHEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO).
- How much revenue does POLARIS PROJECT have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $11,051,294, expenses of $13,221,347 and total assets of $9,330,616 at year end.
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