The Polaris Post

Dear John, 

We appreciate you. With your partnership, we’re working to end sex and labor trafficking while walking alongside victims and survivors on their journeys to freedom. 

In this month’s stories, you’ll read exciting updates about our new leadership, progress through the Polaris Resilience Fund and Financial Intelligence Unit, and reintroduction of the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act. We hope you will forward this Polaris Post to others who share your values. 

Together, we can create a world where everyone is free to choose how and where they live and work.

​​​​As you heard last month, Megan Lundstrom has been named the new CEO of Polaris! 

Since 2023, Megan has been the inaugural director of the Polaris Resilience Fund. (See the mid-program evaluation report below.) Her appointment as the organization’s first CEO with lived experience marks a major milestone for Polaris and for the anti-trafficking field.

We’re proud to uphold our commitment to centering survivors in this movement, and we hope you’ll join us in celebrating and supporting Megan in her new role.

This reporting comes after nine months of cash assistance, resource navigation, and other support. Through longitudinal analysis of participant survey and interview data, we found that the Resilience Fund has helped survivors improve financial stability, reduce systems barriers, and reclaim their autonomy. Check out the report for full findings, insights from participants, and recommendations for program improvement and future planning.

Our Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) continues to build collaboration in the financial services industry.

We recently established a partnership with Discover Financial Services (Discover). Director of Compliance Business Intelligence Ed Doran says: “In recognition of the commitment Polaris demonstrates to fighting human trafficking, Discover has made a contribution of $50,000 for 2025. Discover neither condones nor tolerates the use of its financial products and services for human trafficking. To help combat such illicit activity, Discover leverages intelligence from organizations like Polaris.”

Thanks to Discover and our other FIU partners for their commitment to fighting trafficking as a financial crime! 

Since the 119th Congress began in January, members have already reintroduced the TSRA in the House. We’ll alert you when it’s time to take action, but in the meantime, check out this powerful piece by survivor Nissi Hamilton in our blog.

We’re so grateful you’re part of our community working to end trafficking and support survivors.

In the midst of tax prep season, we wanted to take a moment to remind you of all the ways you can give to Polaris — including non-cash, tax-smart options.

At the end of last year, we added the ability to give directly from a donor-advised fund, and we continue to accept stocks, cryptocurrency, and qualified charitable distributions from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Check out all the ways to give on our website.