What Walk Free does

Walk Free is an international human rights nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating modern slavery in all its forms, founded in 2013 by Grace Forrest and Andrew Forrest and operating as an initiative of the Minderoo Foundation, a Western Australia–incorporated private foundation. The organization produces research, datasets, assessment tools, and advocacy resources to drive systems-level change across governments, businesses, faith communities, and civil society. Headquartered in Nedlands, Western Australia, Walk Free runs an international team of approximately 20–25 staff spanning statisticians, criminologists, lawyers, and international development experts.

The organization's core technology is not commercial software but a portfolio of proprietary research platforms, assessment tools, and a mobile application, all provided free of charge. The flagship is the Global Slavery Index, the world's most comprehensive dataset on modern slavery covering 160 countries, built from thousands of survivor interviews and produced in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Complementary products include the Promising Practices Database (262 anti-slavery program evaluations), the Modern Slavery Benchmarking Tool (an anonymous self-assessment for organizations), the Faith For Freedom mobile app (for faith leaders, available in English and Twi), the Business & Investor Toolkit, and the Modern Slavery Response & Remedy Framework. The organization is exploring AI/ML applications through a partnership with The Future Society to accelerate assessment of Modern Slavery Act statements.

Walk Free is funded entirely through donations and grants channeled via the Minderoo Foundation, with no commercial pricing model — all resources, reports, datasets, and tools are provided free of charge to maximize reach. The go-to-market motion is community-led advocacy rather than sales: Walk Free mobilizes governments, businesses, faith leaders, and civil society through the Bali Process Government and Business Forum (45 member states), the Global Freedom Network (faith-based arm), the Women and Girls Initiative, and an extensive coalition of 30+ strategic partners including ILO, IOM, WikiRate, Gallup, PRI, and FAST. The organization convenes frontline action through The Freedom Fund (co-founded in 2013), which has reportedly liberated over 31,000 people and enrolled over 192,000 at-risk children in school since inception.

Name

Walk Free

Legal name

Minderoo Foundation Pty Ltd

Website

https://walkfree.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Walk Free is an international human rights nonprofit that produces research, datasets, and assessment tools — most notably the Global Slavery Index covering 160 countries — to drive systems-level change against modern slavery, serving governments, businesses, faith communities, and NGOs globally under the Minderoo Foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Rights Advocacy and Modern Slavery Research

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311)

akta.pro primary industry

Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC)

Keywords

• Modern slavery research
• Human rights advocacy
• Supply chain transparency
• Anti-trafficking initiatives
• Global slavery index

Headquarters

HQ city

Nedlands

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Walk Free operates as an international human rights group funded through donations and grants. The organization was co-founded by Andrew Forrest and operates under the Minderoo Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Walk Free is an international human rights organization that produces research, datasets, and digital tools to eradicate modern slavery. Its core offerings include the Global Slavery Index (prevalence estimates for 160 countries), the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery (jointly with ILO and IOM), the Promising Practices Database of anti-slavery program evaluations, the Modern Slavery Benchmarking Tool for organizations, the Faith For Freedom mobile app for faith leaders, and the Business & Investor Toolkit for supply chain transparency.

Product overview

Walk Free is an international human rights organization dedicated to eradicating modern slavery in all its forms. The organization offers a portfolio of research platforms, assessment tools, mobile applications, and advocacy resources. Core offerings include the Global Slavery Index (the world's most comprehensive dataset on modern slavery for 160 countries), the Modern Slavery Benchmarking Tool (an online self-assessment for organizations), the Faith For Freedom mobile app (for faith leaders), the Promising Practices Database (evaluations of anti-slavery programs), the Modern Slavery Business & Investor Toolkit, and the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery report (produced with ILO and IOM). Walk Free also operates the Global Freedom Network (faith-based arm), the Bali Process Government and Business Forum (regional collaboration), and the Women and Girls Initiative. The organization leverages partnerships with organizations like WikiRate for research assessment and is exploring AI and machine learning to accelerate statement assessment processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Freedom Fund: A leader in the global effort to eradicate modern slavery, co-founded by Walk Free in 2013, working with state and non-state actors to tackle many forms of modern slavery.
• Global Freedom Network

Products and services

• Global Slavery Index Walk Free's flagship report providing national estimates of modern slavery for 160 countries. The Index draws on thousands of interviews with survivors collected through nationally representative household surveys and assessments of national-level vulnerability, answering how many people are living in modern slavery, what makes people vulnerable, and what governments are doing to address it.
• Global Estimates of Modern Slavery A collaborative effort between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Walk Free, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), providing a global picture of the scale and depth of modern slavery focused on forced labour and forced marriage with breakdowns by region, age group and gender.
• Modern Slavery Benchmarking Tool An online self-assessment tool that allows organizations to anonymously assess and benchmark how they are managing modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains. Results include a score, list of improvement steps, suggested disclosures, and personalized risk information.
• Faith For Freedom App A free mobile app for faith leaders to help identify and address modern slavery and keep their congregations and communities safe. Explains what modern slavery is, how to detect it, how to respond to people affected by it, and how and where to find help. Available in multiple languages including English and Twi.
• Promising Practices Database A searchable database housing 262 evaluations of anti-slavery and counter trafficking programs covering all forms of modern slavery including human trafficking, forced labour, and forced marriage. Enables policy makers, donors, and program designers to identify what works through search by country, target population, type or sector of slavery, or type of intervention.
• Modern Slavery Business & Investor Toolkit A collection of resources to guide organizations' approach to addressing modern slavery, containing links to case studies, research, legal frameworks, and tools produced by Walk Free and other civil society organizations. Includes sections on understanding the problem, supply chain due diligence, legal obligations, and financial sector guidance.
• Global Freedom Network The faith-based arm of Walk Free, empowering faith leaders against modern slavery. Partners with religious leaders and communities to accelerate the end of all forms of modern slavery through advocacy, resources, and the Faith For Freedom app.
• Bali Process Government and Business Forum A regional forum bringing together government ministers and senior business leaders from 45 member states to develop practical solutions to address modern slavery in the Asia Pacific region. Endorsed the AAA (Acknowledge, Act, Advance) Recommendations as the first regional policy document tackling modern slavery. Walk Free serves as secretariat.
• Women and Girls Initiative An initiative addressing the disproportionate impact of modern slavery on women and girls, who account for 54% of the 49.6 million people living in modern slavery. Includes advocacy for legal reforms and the 'Subscribed to Slavery' campaign created with Leo Burnett.
• The Freedom Fund A frontline initiative co-founded by Walk Free in 2013 that partners with organizations to combat slavery in regions where it is most highly concentrated. Hot-spot projects address geographical regions with high levels of slavery, while global initiatives include mental health support schemes for survivors. Has liberated 31,078 people and put 192,318 at-risk children in school since 2014.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50 million people in modern slavery estimated and tracked globally (2021 data)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• International Labour Organization (ILO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint producer of the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, providing the authoritative global baseline for modern slavery data used to inform UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.7. This partnership provides unique legitimacy and international recognition to Walk Free's data methodology.
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in producing the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, contributing administrative data and expertise on migration-related exploitation. The partnership strengthens the global evidence base on forced labour and forced marriage.
• Bali Process Government and Business ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWalk Free serves as secretariat for this forum that brings together government ministers and senior business leaders from 45 member states and 4 international organizations to address human trafficking, forced labour, and modern slavery in the Asia Pacific region.
• The Freedom FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by Walk Free in 2013, The Freedom Fund is a leader in the global effort to eradicate modern slavery. Walk Free continues to partner with them on frontline efforts to end modern slavery in countries where it is most prevalent.
• WikiRatemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to assess Modern Slavery Act statements produced by companies, using a citizen-science approach. Walk Free develops sector-specific metrics and assessments in partnership with WikiRate.
• GallupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership contributing to research on modern slavery. Gallup provides polling expertise and data collection capabilities that complement Walk Free's research methodology.
• The Future SocietymajorTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on the AI Against Modern Slavery project, exploring the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to speed up assessment of Modern Slavery Act statements.
• 60+ Organizations in Women and Girls Call to ActionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition including ACRATH, Anti-Slavery Australia, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, Human Rights Watch, International Justice Mission, UNICEF Australia, and many others calling on governments to address structural disadvantages facing women and girls.
• Stock Exchange of ThailandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop Guidance on Modern Slavery Risks for Thai Businesses and the Modern Slavery Benchmarking Tool, helping Thai businesses understand and address modern slavery risks.
• Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAST)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide businesses and investors with tools to manage modern slavery risks in supply chains, including implementation toolkit and sector-specific guidance.
• First Sentier MUFG Sustainable Investment InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authored Modern Slavery & Remediation – An Investor's Guide, examining the role investors can play in providing or enabling remediation to workers who have experienced modern slavery.
• AllianceBernsteinmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Bridging ESG Silos report examining the intersection of climate change and modern slavery, helping investors understand and act on financially material modern slavery risks.
• Human Rights Resources and Energy CollaborativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Modern Slavery Response & Remedy Framework and resources for understanding child labour and supply chain risks in the energy sector.
• UN Global Compact Network AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on effective modern slavery grievance mechanisms guidance and case studies for business, helping companies implement proper remediation processes.
• Australian Human Rights CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on guidance for businesses including Property, Construction and Modern Slavery report and Financial Services and Modern Slavery guidance.
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on ethical recruitment tools including e-courses, guidelines for employers, migration process mapping guides, and operational guidelines for remediation of migrant worker grievances.
• World Benchmarking AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark, enabling comparison of company performance on human rights issues including modern slavery.
• Institute for Human Rights and BusinessmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Dhaka Principles for Migration with Dignity, fees and IDs research on recruitment practices, and Six Steps to Responsible Recruitment guidelines.
• Leadership Group for Responsible RecruitmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on responsible recruitment tools and guidelines to prevent exploitation of migrant workers throughout the recruitment process.
• Sheffield Hallam UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on research identifying Products Made with Uyghur Forced Labour and guidance on knowing supply chains to identify Uyghur region exposure.
• Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on investor guidance including portfolio analysis for forced labour risks and RI Review Tool for assessing human rights performance.
• Investor Alliance for Human RightsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on investor toolkit for human rights due diligence and practical guidance for investors on Xinjiang human rights risks.
• Engage the ChainmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing investor primer on grievance mechanisms, helping investors understand how to enable remedy for modern slavery victims in supply chains.
• CCLAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Modern Slavery Engagement Expectations for investors, providing guidance on engagement approaches with companies on modern slavery issues.
• Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Modern Slavery Reporting Guide for Investors and analysis of ASX company compliance with Australia's Modern Slavery Act.
• Responsible Investment Association AustralasiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on modern slavery reporting guidance for investors and resources to help institutional investors engage on modern slavery risks.
• Ethical Trading InitiativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on managing risks of modern slavery good practice guidance, access to remedy practical guidance for companies, and resources for ethical supply chains.
• UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Human Rights Guidance Tool for Financial Sector and Principles for Responsible Banking and Insurance, integrating human rights into financial sector standards.
• Responsible Business Alliance (RBA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on responsible business practices and standards that address labour and human rights issues in global supply chains.
• University of Nottingham Rights LabmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership contributing research expertise on modern slavery, particularly in understanding and addressing forced labour risks.
• RegenesysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness process outsourcing partner contributing to the ecosystem of organizations working to address modern slavery.
• ICFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational consulting firm partnership contributing expertise in research, evaluation, and program implementation.
• Educate GirlsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on increasing access to education for girls, recognizing education as a critical circuit breaker to vulnerability to modern slavery.
• ThornmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on combating child sexual exploitation, a form of modern slavery that disproportionately affects girls and women.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Polaris Project: US-based anti-trafficking organization operating the National Human Trafficking Hotline and the Global Modern Slavery Directory. Comparable to Walk Free as a data- and hotline-driven anti-slavery organization with research and policy advocacy at its core.
• Thorn: Nonprofit that builds technology to combat child sexual exploitation and trafficking. Comparable as a tech-enabled anti-slavery nonprofit and confirmed Walk Free partner, with overlapping child-protection mission.
• International Justice Mission: Global human rights organization that rescues victims of slavery, human trafficking and other violent oppression. Highly comparable to Walk Free in mission, advocacy-led GTM, and global footprint, with overlapping focus on frontline liberation and government accountability.
• ECPAT International: Global network focused on ending the sexual exploitation of children, including trafficking. Comparable to Walk Free on child protection, survivor support, and coalition building with NGOs and faith groups.
• Anti-Slavery International: The world's oldest international human rights organization focused on slavery, working through advocacy, research and partnerships with grassroots organizations. Closely comparable to Walk Free in mission, advocacy-led model, and donor-funded structure.
• Verité: International nonprofit focused on research, advocacy and consulting to address labour rights and human trafficking in global supply chains. Directly comparable to Walk Free's Business & Human Rights work and benchmarking tools.

Broad incumbents

• Human Rights Watch: Large established international human rights organization conducting research and advocacy across all human rights issues including modern slavery. Comparable as a broader human rights advocacy and research-driven NGO with overlapping policy engagement.
• World Benchmarking Alliance: Produces the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark and other corporate rankings including modern slavery performance. Directly comparable to Walk Free's benchmarking work and a confirmed Walk Free partner.
• International Labour Organization (ILO): UN agency setting labour standards and producing global forced labour statistics. Walk Free is a strategic co-producer with ILO on the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, making it both a peer and a partner at the intergovernmental level.

Emerging players

• Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX): UK-based charity focused on labour trafficking, modern slavery and worker exploitation. Comparable as a research and policy advocacy peer focused specifically on forced labour, a narrower but adjacent scope to Walk Free.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/walkfree
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/walkfree
• Xx.com/WalkFree
• Instagraminstagram.com/walkfree

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Walk Free