Our Rescue (formerly known as Operation Underground Railroad) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with an office in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded in 2013, the organization operates globally to combat human trafficking and child sexual exploitation through field operations, survivor support, and training and prevention programs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$59.0M
-14.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
-3.5% YoY
Grant Count
182
+11.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-13.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To end sex trafficking and child exploitation while empowering survivors to reclaim their lives and thrive on their healing journey.
Primary Purpose: A world free from sex trafficking and exploitation.
Core Program Areas:
- Rescuing children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation
- Training and mentoring law enforcement agencies on investigation techniques, evidence gathering, and rescue execution
- Survivor support and rehabilitation services
- Prevention and education programs
- Collaboration with U.S. foreign embassies and Homeland Security on anti-trafficking initiatives
The organization operates with principles of integrity, humility, and accountability, working exclusively with government consent in partner countries.
Grantmaking
Our Rescue functions as both a recipient and provider of grants. The organization made grants totaling at least $260,000 to nonprofits across the United States focused on fighting sex trafficking and child exploitation.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Our Rescue operates globally across 14 countries, including:
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Spain
- Greenland
- Norway
- Costa Rica
- Peru
- United States (primary focus for domestic operations)
The organization maintains a significant U.S. presence with 87 of its 127 employees based in the United States, while also deploying staff internationally to support field operations and training initiatives.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Summary:
- Total Revenue: $32,364,134
- Total Expenses: $38,974,750
- Total Assets: $59,012,856
- Total Liabilities: $9,520,000
Staffing: 127 employees as of 2024
Ratings:
- Charity Navigator: 96% overall score, Four-Star rating (based on 60% Accountability & Finance, 25% Impact & Measurement, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 5% Culture & Community)
- Tax-exempt status: Designated 501(c)(3) since March 2015
- Donations are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $59,012,856 | $68,974,653 | $71,484,414 |
| Revenue | $32,364,134 | $50,417,913 | $29,362,724 |
| Expenses | $38,974,750 | $48,980,751 | $44,481,219 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $472,918 | $3,222,429 | $154,424 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
208 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- CEO: Derek Benner
- Chairman: Sean Vassilaros
- Founder: Tim Ballard (founded October 2013)
- Board Size: 7 members
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KELLY CROUCH | BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 2 | — |
| JEFF FRAZIER | BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 2 | — |
| MATTHEW MILLHOLIN | BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 2 | — |
| SEAN VASSILAROS | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD | 2 | — |
| DEREK BENNER | BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 2 | — |
| JAMES SWEENEY | BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 2 | — |
| LINDY BORCHARDT | BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 2 | — |
| ABIGAIL CASAS MUNOZ | BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 2 | — |
| TAMMY LEE | CEO | 40 | $402,103 |
| MITCH ABRAHAMSEN | CHIEF MISSION SUPPORT OFFICER | 40 | $197,935 |
| MATTHEW OSBORNE | VICE PRESIDENT, ADVANCEMENT & EDUCATION | 40 | $199,500 |
| JEFF CARTER | VICE PRESIDENT, CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT | 40 | $210,661 |
| TERESA HARLAND | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ADVANCEMENT | 40 | $200,530 |
| KRISTI BRANGLE | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PEOPLE/HQ CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $197,265 |
| CARLOS BAUER | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE | 40 | $214,444 |
| MARK BLAKE | FORMER GENERAL COUNSEL/BOARD MEMBER | 20 | $192,600 |
| SIMON BREWER | FORMER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $366,991 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Our Rescue awarded $260,000 in grants to nonprofits across the United States focused on fighting sex trafficking and child exploitation
2021 John H. Prescott Marine Animal Rescue Assistance Grants Announced |Announced establishment of a "Center of Excellence" in Dallas-Fort Worth with a $100,000 matching grant program for Texas nonprofits
2021 John H. Prescott Marine Animal Rescue Assistance Grants Announced |Supported a child sexual abuse material (CSAM) investigation in Peru that resulted in three children rescued and one suspect arrested
Three Children Rescued, 1 Suspect Arrested in Peru During Our Rescue-Supported\The organization's early work was dramatized in the 2023 film "Sound of Freedom," inspired by founder Tim Ballard's efforts
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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