The Legatum Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai-based investment firm Legatum, has announced a new US$6 million commitment to the Freedom Fund, the world’s first private donor fund dedicated to ending modern slavery. The funding will be distributed over five years, with $1 million specifically allocated to research aimed at dismantling the structural drivers of exploitation.
As a founding donor of the Freedom Fund—alongside Walk Free and Humanity United—Legatum’s renewed support comes at a critical time for the development sector, which is facing widespread funding cuts that are increasing the vulnerability of at-risk communities.
The new funding will bolster frontline efforts in countries with high rates of exploitation, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, and Indonesia. It will also support research and advocacy initiatives to drive systemic change.
“We are deeply grateful for Legatum’s increased support and vision,” said Nick Grono, CEO of the Freedom Fund. “Their tireless support empowers frontline organisations and fuels our collective drive for systemic change. With Legatum's partnership, we continue to make significant strides toward ending modern slavery.”
Since its inception in 2014, the Freedom Fund has:
- Helped an estimated 10.4 million people build resilience against slavery.
- Enabled over 1.1 million individuals to access social and legal services.
- Supported more than 7,600 legal cases.
- Contributed to 323 policy changes in countries where modern slavery is prevalent.
“The Freedom Fund has made huge inroads in addressing the terrible problem of modern-day slavery and trafficking,” said Guy Cave, President of the Legatum Foundation, which including this latest commitment has given the foundation a total of US$24.6m.
“We are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to their impactful work with this new injection of capital," he added. "Supporting their research is also vital to understanding what truly works in ending modern slavery.”
In addition to its work with the Freedom Fund, the Legatum Foundation also supports the END Fund, which combats neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Africa, and the Luminos Fund, which helps out-of-school children return to learning.
Later this year, it is due to launch The Resilio Fund, which will provide microgrants to grassroots NGOs operating in humanitarian settings. Resilio aims to mobilize $100 million over five years to support organizations in crisis zones such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Lebanon.
