- AHLA Foundation raised $10M for its NRFT fund.
- Grant-making rose nearly 30 percent.
- The event featured panels on prevention.
AHLA FOUNDATION’S 2026 No Room for Trafficking Summit in Arlington, Virginia, convened survivor advocates, government experts and hotel industry leaders to advance efforts to prevent human trafficking. The summit marked the raising of $10 million for the NRFT Survivor Fund.
The summit coincided with the United Nations’ World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the foundation said in a statement. The AHLA Foundation provided $5 million in matching funds to expand grants for organizations that support survivors. Grant-making for 2026 rose nearly 30 percent from last year and reached more organizations across more regions.
“The No Room for Trafficking initiative continues to expand its reach and impact, further uniting the hotel industry and partner organizations across the country to combat human trafficking,” said Kevin Carey, AHLA Foundation president and CEO. “Reaching this significant fundraising milestone strengthens our ability to work together with these organizations and build on the progress we have made.”
The event featured keynote addresses and panel discussions on prevention, survivor support and employment, the statement said. Experts with lived experience discussed survivor employment challenges, while sessions included vendors and industry stakeholders. The summit also introduced its first Technology Showcase, where nonprofit groups presented tools to support survivors and communities.
2026 grantees
Since 2023, the Survivor Fund has awarded more than $3 million to community-based anti-trafficking organizations and initiatives across the U.S. The 2026 grantees include nine survivor-founded organizations and others supporting prevention and survivor services.
The recipients include 3Strands Global in Northern California; ALIGHT in Los Angeles, Colorado and Utah; AnnieCannons, which operates virtually nationwide; FAIR Girls in the Washington, D.C., area; Ho’ola Na Pua in Hawaii; Love Never Fails in Northern California; My Life My Choice in Eastern Massachusetts; and the Rebecca Bender Initiative, which operates virtually nationwide.
Other grantees are Restore NYC in New York City; Safety Compass in northwest Oregon; Salt and Light Coalition in Illinois and Indiana; Scarlet Road in northwest Washington; Survivor Alliance, which operates virtually nationwide; The Dragonfly Home in central Oklahoma; Wellspring Living in greater Atlanta; and WillowBend Farms, which serves Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia and North Carolina.
The grants are supported by new and renewed commitments from Accor S.E., Aimbridge Hospitality, Choice Hotels International, Extended Stay America, G6 Hospitality, Hilton Global Foundation, Hyatt Hotels Foundation, ISHP, KSL Resorts, Marriott International and Red Roof Inn. Encore Global and LAZ also contributed to the fund.
Joan Bottarini, NRFT Advisory Council co-chair and chief financial officer at Hyatt, said the summit brings survivor advocates, experts and hospitality leaders together to prevent human trafficking.
“We’re grateful for the partners and supporters who are true champions of this movement and whose commitment continues to expand our collective impact for survivors and communities,” she said.
Separately, AHLA Foundation will work with Hotels Canada to expand its No Room for Trafficking initiative. The groups will align anti-trafficking efforts, increase industry participation and coordinate cross-border action.
