Operation Underground Railroad 
The information on this page was last updated 7/11/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
We exist to rescue children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Contact information
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 57338
Salt Lake City, UT 84157
Website: ourrescue.org
Phone: (818)850-6146
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 463614979
CEO/President: Brad Damon
Chairman: Tim Ballard
Board size: 7
Founder: Tim Ballard
Ruling year: 2015
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
We lead the fight against child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation around the globe. Our work has no boundaries- we go to the darkest corners of the world to assist law enforcement in rescuing children and ensure ongoing aftercare. We provide critical resources to law enforcement and preventative efforts that benefit at-risk children worldwide.
Our resolve never falters, and we will faithfully persevere until every child is safe.
Mission statement
To shine a light worldwide on the global epidemic of child sex trafficking, and in so doing, rescue more children from slavery and assist law enforcement to seek justice for those who violate children. While our focus remains on children, we assist survivors of all ages to bring them safety and healing. We place survivors on a path to recovery by partnering with vetted aftercare providers or by placing them with families.
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Advocacy
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 1104 of 1106 | 42 of 42 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 1042 of 1107 | 41 of 42 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1055 of 1107 | 41 of 42 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1087 of 1106 | 42 of 42 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 9% | 23% | 9% | 4% | 4% | 7% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 7% | 21% | 8% | 4% | 4% | 7% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 96% | 94% | 94% | 97% | 95% | 100% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 7% | 14% | 11% | 13% | 10% | 10% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 4% | 6% | 6% | 3% | 5% | 0% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 81% | 72% | 73% | 76% | 85% | 85% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 94% | 151% | 74% | 29% | 43% | 64% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 76% | 109% | 54% | 22% | 36% | 55% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 6% | -51% | 26% | 71% | 57% | 36% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 9% | -25% | 13% | 50% | 42% | 37% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 10% | 14% | 16% | 10% | 5% | 4% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.10 | 0.62 | 0.38 | 0.20 | 0.31 | 0.66 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.43 | 8.66 | 2.66 | 4.11 | 7.87 | 4.50 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.06 | 5.39 | 1.02 | 0.82 | 2.42 | 2.96 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 12.54 | 4.85 | 26.29 | 25.66 | 39.85 | 23.71 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.08 | 0.21 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.04 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.89 | 1.77 | 11.31 | 14.09 | 4.82 | 3.89 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 16% | 15% | 2% | 1% | 0% | 1% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 10% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 65% | 136% | 257% | 497% | 323% | 151% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $4,952,087 | $26,534,426 | $15,232,749 | $3,023,076 | $3,062,277 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $3,298,716 | $4,294,709 | $1,328,361 | $907,671 | $744,786 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $8,250,803 | $30,829,135 | $16,561,110 | $3,930,747 | $3,807,063 |
| Long-term investments | $43,711,745 | $39,914,760 | $50,998,603 | $25,767,207 | $12,597,159 |
| Fixed assets | $14,137,825 | $9,232,049 | $483,626 | $486,214 | $499,334 |
| Other long-term assets | $5,384,041 | $2,162,869 | $32,973 | $733,212 | $235,939 |
| Total long-term assets | $63,233,611 | $51,309,678 | $51,515,202 | $26,986,633 | $13,332,432 |
| Total assets | $71,484,414 | $82,138,813 | $68,076,312 | $30,917,380 | $17,139,495 |
| Liabilities | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $1,702,898 | $1,172,483 | $645,469 | $98,627 | $160,599 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $1,702,898 | $1,172,483 | $645,469 | $98,627 | $160,599 |
| Debt | $7,249,978 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $1,899,469 | $207,169 | $21,862 | $7,882 | $7,090 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $9,149,447 | $207,169 | $21,862 | $7,882 | $7,090 |
| Total liabilities | $10,852,345 | $1,379,652 | $667,331 | $106,509 | $167,689 |
| Net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $60,022,537 | $80,611,761 | $67,126,948 | $30,789,887 | $16,801,471 |
| With donor restrictions | $609,532 | $147,400 | $282,033 | $20,984 | $170,335 |
| Net assets | $60,632,069 | $80,759,161 | $67,408,981 | $30,810,871 | $16,971,806 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $27,637,158 | $39,658,518 | $45,943,117 | $21,193,139 | $17,505,241 |
| Program service revenue | $1,340,239 | $890,559 | $973,455 | $353,883 | $245,819 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $154,424 | $1,426,574 | $571,370 | $671,725 | ($105,565) |
| Other revenue | $230,903 | $334,418 | $61,071 | $166,755 | ($113,298) |
| Total other revenue | $1,725,566 | $2,651,551 | $1,605,896 | $1,192,363 | $26,956 |
| Total revenue | $29,362,724 | $42,310,069 | $47,549,013 | $22,385,502 | $17,532,197 |
| Expenses | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $31,910,480 | $22,891,485 | $10,360,983 | $8,108,870 | $9,624,186 |
| Management and general | $6,349,474 | $5,045,971 | $1,384,879 | $499,849 | $465,006 |
| Fundraising | $6,221,265 | $3,535,118 | $1,813,312 | $921,963 | $1,171,681 |
| Total expenses | $44,481,219 | $31,472,574 | $13,559,174 | $9,530,682 | $11,260,873 |
| Change in net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($15,118,495) | $10,837,495 | $33,989,839 | $12,854,820 | $6,271,324 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($15,118,495) | $10,837,495 | $33,989,839 | $12,854,820 | $6,271,324 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Brad Damon | President | $566,550 |
| Tim Ballard | Founder and CEO | $546,458 |
| Simon Brewer | Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer | $400,350 |
| Nathon Lewis | Chief Development Officer | $309,083 |
| Emily Evans | Chief Communications Officer | $290,167 |
| Jerry Gowen | Chief Experience Officer | $281,706 |
| Alessandra Serano | Chief Legal Officer | $281,400 |
| Jeff Carter | Chief E-Commerce Officer | $268,258 |
| Marc Reynolds | Board of Directors | $4,800 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2022
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 7/11/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Tim Ballard spent more than a decade working as a Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security, where he was assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and deployed as an undercover operative for the U.S. Child Sex Tourism Jump Team.
He has worked in that role and has seen every type of case in the fight to dismantle child trafficking rings. He's worked in the United States and in multiple foreign countries to infiltrate child trafficking organizations. He has successfully dismantled dozens of these organizations and rescued children from slavery and exploitation.
While working for the government, Ballard saw how much more is needed in the fight against child trafficking and exploitation across the world. In 2013, he and a team of former government operatives left the security of their careers to accomplish the work of rescuing children as a private foundation - Operation Underground Railroad. At O.U.R., Tim has created a team that can work in any jurisdiction and in conjunction with law enforcement to rescue children directly. That team exists today and operates all over the world.