Google donates $11.5M to fight modern slavery

Google announced Wednesday that it will be giving $11.5 million in grants to 10 organizations that fight modern-day slavery and human trafficking.

"Many people are surprised to learn there are more people trapped in slavery today than any time in history," said Jacquelline Fuller, Google's director of charitable giving. "The good news is that there are solutions. Google is supporting organizations that have a proven track record and a plan to make a difference at scale."

The grants will free more than 12,000 people from modern-day slavery and prevent millions more from victimization, the Internet company said. Recipients include International Justice Mission, BBC World Service Trust and Not For Sale. The UN pegs 12 million to 27 million modern-day slaves exist today.

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Google chose IJM, a human rights organizations based in Washington, to spearhead a coalition to fight global human trafficking. "It's hard for most Americans to believe that slavery and human trafficking are still massive problems in our world," IJM president Gary A. Haugen said. "Google's support now makes it possible for IJM to join forces with two other leading organizations so we can bring to bear our unique strengths in a united front."

The coalition will focus on three initiatives, according to the Associated Press.

$3.5 million will go into forced labor intervention in India; $4.5 million to launch an advocacy campaign in India to educate and protect the “vulnerable;” and $1.8 million to raise awareness in the US. The last $1.7 million will go to smaller organizations working to fight slavery.

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Google’s grant to fight human trafficking was part of a larger $40 million philanthropic project that also supports three other causes: the sciences, technology, engineering and math; girls’ education; and empowerment through technology.

The Internet giant said they have spent more than $100 million to organizations around the world in 2011.