A Message From Our Founder
Dear Friends, Supporters, and Fellow Advocates,
Three years ago, I worked from a small apartment in Brussels, helping one person at a time navigate an impossible asylum system. I had no funding, no team, and no blueprint. All I had was a burning conviction that the traditional system was failing the people who needed it most.
In 2022, that apartment operation became a global movement.
This year marked our official registration as a non-governmental organization. What began as informal support for a handful of desperate individuals evolved into a structured, professional operation spanning 38 countries. We didn't just help people—we built a sustainable system for doing so.
The numbers tell part of the story: 487 individuals assisted, 167 successful asylum approvals, $850,000 raised and deployed strategically. But numbers alone don't capture the reality of what we achieved.
We proved that a different approach is possible. We demonstrated that when you refuse to accept "no" as an answer, when you operate outside traditional constraints, when you treat each person as a human being rather than a case number—you can achieve what others say is impossible.
Our 85% asylum approval rate wasn't luck. It was the result of meticulous case preparation, expert legal representation, and an unwavering commitment to fighting for people the system had given up on.
2022 wasn't perfect. We made mistakes. We faced setbacks. We learned painful lessons about scaling rapidly while maintaining quality. But we never lost sight of why we exist: to ensure that every person has the fundamental right to live freely and authentically.
This report is our promise to you: radical transparency, honest accounting of both successes and failures, and a clear vision for where we're headed. You deserve to know exactly how your support was used and what impact it created.
Thank you for believing in this mission when it was just an idea. Thank you for supporting us as we built something real. And thank you for standing with us as we fight for a world where borders and laws don't determine who gets to be free.
With gratitude and determination,
Dr. Matthew McEvoy
Founder & Chief Advocate
2022 At A Glance
How We Went From Grassroots to Global
Early 2022: Operating in the Shadows
At the start of 2022, we existed as an informal network—myself and three dedicated volunteers working late nights from our homes across Europe. We helped people through word of mouth, encrypted messages, and sheer determination. We had no legal status, no steady funding, and no official recognition.
But we had something traditional organizations lacked: speed, flexibility, and a willingness to take risks.
Q1 2022 - Building the Foundation
- Incorporated as official NGO in Belgium (March 2022)
- Secured initial seed funding of $125,000 from private donors
- Hired our first two full-time staff members
- Established secure communication infrastructure
- Created standardized case management system
Mid-2022: Rapid Growth Phase
By summer, demand for our services had exploded. Word was spreading through underground networks—we were the organization that actually got results. We faced a critical decision: stay small and manageable, or scale rapidly to meet the need.
We chose growth. It was messy, chaotic, and sometimes overwhelming. But turning away people who needed help wasn't an option.
Team Expansion
From 4 volunteers to 12 paid staff plus 25 regular volunteers across 15 countries
Geographic Reach
Expanded from 8 countries to 38 countries across all continents
Case Volume
Increased from ~10 cases/month to 50+ cases/month by year-end
Late 2022: Establishing Systems
The final quarter of 2022 focused on building sustainable infrastructure. We learned that passion alone wasn't enough—we needed professional systems, clear protocols, and financial sustainability.
- Implemented comprehensive case tracking database
- Established partnerships with immigration law firms in 12 countries
- Created standardized vetting and intake procedures
- Developed digital security training program
- Built emergency response fund for urgent cases
- Launched our first major fundraising campaign
Our Programs & Services in 2022
Safe Passage Program (Launched June 2022)
Our flagship program formalized the support services we had been providing informally. We created a structured pathway from first contact to settlement in a new country.
327 Active Cases
Individuals receiving comprehensive support through Safe Passage
167 Successful Outcomes
Asylum applications approved (85% success rate vs. 35% global average)
9.5 Months Average
Processing time from initial contact to decision (faster than 16-month average)
What Safe Passage Includes:
- Initial Risk Assessment: Comprehensive evaluation of danger level and legal options
- Legal Coordination: Connection with specialized asylum attorneys
- Documentation Support: Help gathering evidence and preparing comprehensive applications
- Travel Logistics: Safe route planning and emergency relocation when necessary
- Interim Support: Housing, food, and safety while awaiting decisions
- Post-Approval Integration: Community connections and settlement support
Legal Advocacy Initiative
We recognized that individual case work wasn't enough—we needed to challenge bad policies and create systemic change.
2022 Legal Achievements:
- Successfully appealed 34 rejected asylum cases, with 27 overturned
- Filed 5 amicus briefs in significant LGBTQ+ asylum cases
- Provided expert testimony in 8 court proceedings across 4 countries
- Published 3 legal analysis reports on discriminatory asylum policies
Digital Security Training (Launched September 2022)
After several clients faced surveillance and harassment, we realized digital security was a critical gap. We launched intensive training programs to protect vulnerable individuals.
- Conducted 18 online workshops on encrypted communications (450+ participants)
- Distributed 800+ security guides in 5 languages
- Provided direct security consultations for 76 high-risk individuals
- Developed secure communication platform for client-advocate contact
Research & Documentation
We began systematically documenting asylum rights violations and publishing research to inform policy debates.
23 Reports Published
Including country-specific asylum guides and policy analyses
45,000+ Downloads
Our reports reached advocates and asylum seekers worldwide
7 Media Citations
Our research cited in international human rights publications
Measuring Our Impact in 2022
Who We Served
LGBTQ+ Individuals
72% (351 individuals) - Fleeing persecution based on sexual orientation or gender identity
Political Dissidents
16% (78 individuals) - Activists, journalists, and human rights defenders
Religious Minorities
8% (39 individuals) - Facing persecution for religious beliefs
Healthcare Access Seekers
4% (19 individuals) - Denied essential medical care in home countries
Geographic Reach
In 2022, we served individuals from 38 countries across 5 continents:
Destination Countries
We successfully helped individuals relocate to safe countries with strong asylum protections:
Early Outcomes Tracking
We began tracking long-term outcomes for our earliest cases:
91% Successfully Settled
Of early 2022 approvals, 91% have stable housing and are employed or in education
84% Report Safety
Overwhelming majority feel safe and secure in their new countries
67% Connected to Community
Active participation in local support networks and community organizations
Stories That Define 2022
Every number represents a real person who showed incredible courage. Here are three stories that capture what we accomplished in our breakthrough year.
"They Didn't Give Up On Me" - Viktor's Story
From Ukraine to CanadaViktor, a 32-year-old gay man from Kyiv, contacted us in March 2022 as the war intensified. His situation was desperate—he faced danger from the conflict and discrimination from those around him who blamed LGBTQ+ people for "moral decay."
"I had been rejected by three other organizations who said my case was too complicated," Viktor explained. "The war made everything harder. But your team said, 'We'll figure it out together.'"
His case required creative legal arguments—proving persecution as an LGBTQ+ person in a war zone. Our team worked with a Toronto immigration lawyer to build a compelling case that addressed both the conflict and discrimination.
"I arrived in Toronto in September 2022. My asylum was approved in November. I'm rebuilding my life. I have a job, I have friends, and I don't have to hide who I am. You gave me a future when everyone else said I had none."
Viktor now works in IT in Toronto and volunteers with Ukrainian LGBTQ+ refugee organizations.
"A Chance at Being Myself" - Safiya's Journey
From Saudi Arabia to GermanySafiya, a 26-year-old transgender woman, reached out through our encrypted helpline in June 2022. She faced arrest, violence from family members, and had nowhere safe to go.
"I was sleeping in different places every few days," Safiya shared. "I knew if I stayed, I would either be killed by my family or arrested. The Freedom Frontier Fighters responded to my message within hours."
We activated our emergency protocol. Within 10 days, Safiya had crossed the border to a neighboring country. Within three months, she was in Germany awaiting her asylum hearing with temporary housing and medical support.
"They moved so fast. Other organizations told me it would take years, if they could help at all. The Freedom Frontier Fighters made me feel like I mattered, like my life was worth saving. I can finally be myself."
Safiya's asylum was approved in late 2022. She is now learning German and beginning hormone therapy.
"Hope for Our Children" - The Ahmed Family
From Afghanistan to NetherlandsJamil Ahmed, a 38-year-old journalist, fled Afghanistan with his wife and two young children after Taliban threats escalated. His reporting on women's rights and government corruption made his family targets.
"We left with almost nothing," Jamil explained. "We had contacts in several countries, but no one could tell us how to actually get our family to safety legally."
We helped the Ahmed family navigate the complex process of family asylum applications, coordinated with Dutch immigration authorities, and provided interim support while they waited.
"My daughter started school in Amsterdam last month. She's learning Dutch and making friends. My son doesn't have nightmares anymore. We're safe. Our children have a future. That's everything."
The Ahmed family received asylum approval in December 2022. Jamil continues his journalism remotely, documenting human rights abuses in Afghanistan.
"These three stories represent 487 unique journeys of courage, fear, hope, and ultimately freedom. This is why we built this organization."
Financial Transparency & Accountability
As a new organization, establishing financial credibility was crucial. Here's exactly where every dollar came from and where it went.
2022 Financial Overview
Total Revenue
- Individual Donations: $612,500 (72%)
- Foundation Grants: $187,250 (22%)
- Corporate Support: $54,000 (6%)
Total Expenses
- Program Services: $695,198 (85%)
- Administration: $81,788 (10%)
- Fundraising: $40,894 (5%)
Net Position
Reserve fund for early 2023 operations and emergency cases
How Every Dollar Was Spent
Program Services - 85%
$695,198- Legal assistance & attorney fees: $278,079
- Safe passage & emergency relocation: $167,348
- Case management & client services: $125,335
- Housing & settlement support: $76,420
- Medical & mental health services: $34,787
- Digital security tools & training: $13,229
Administration - 10%
$81,788- Staff salaries & benefits: $52,344
- Office operations & technology: $18,393
- Legal incorporation & compliance: $7,051
- Insurance & professional services: $4,000
Fundraising - 5%
$40,894- Donor outreach & communications: $20,447
- Campaign materials: $12,268
- Payment processing fees: $8,179
Efficiency Metrics
Cost Per Person Served
$1,679
Total expenses divided by 487 individuals assisted
Program Efficiency Ratio
85%
Met industry best-practice standard from day one
Fundraising Efficiency
$0.05
Cost to raise one dollar (Strong for a new organization)
Financial Audit & Verification
As a newly incorporated NGO, we underwent our first independent financial audit in early 2023, reviewing our 2022 operations. We received an unqualified (clean) opinion from our auditors, confirming accurate record-keeping and compliance with accounting standards.
Growing Pains: Challenges & Lessons Learned
Scaling from a volunteer operation to a formal NGO was harder than we imagined. Here are the mistakes we made and what we learned.
Challenge: Rapid Growth Without Infrastructure
In our eagerness to help everyone who reached out, we accepted more cases than we could properly manage. By mid-year, we were overwhelmed.
Impact:
- Some cases experienced delays in response time
- Staff burnout and high volunteer turnover
- Quality control issues with case documentation
- Communication gaps with clients
Our Response:
- Implemented strict case load limits per staff member
- Created waiting list system with emergency priority protocol
- Hired additional case managers in Q4
- Developed standardized case management software
- Established staff wellness program and manageable schedules
Challenge: Funding Unpredictability
As a new organization without a track record, securing consistent funding was difficult. We experienced feast-or-famine cycles that made planning nearly impossible.
Impact:
- Three months operated on less than 30 days of cash reserves
- Had to delay hiring planned positions
- Couldn't commit to long-term partnerships
- Stress and uncertainty for team members
Our Response:
- Diversified funding sources (individuals, foundations, corporate)
- Built emergency reserve fund ($35K by year-end)
- Launched monthly donor program for predictable revenue
- Improved financial forecasting and budgeting
- Established relationships with 3 major foundation funders
Challenge: Limited Geographic Expertise
We had deep expertise in European asylum systems but limited knowledge of procedures in other regions. This led to mistakes and missed opportunities.
Impact:
- Longer processing times for non-European destinations
- Several applications initially filed incorrectly
- Missed strategic opportunities in certain countries
Our Response:
- Built network of legal experts in 12 countries by year-end
- Created country-specific guides and protocols
- Hired regional specialists for Asia-Pacific and Latin America
- Established peer review system for complex cases
Critical Lessons for 2023
- Quality over quantity: Helping 100 people well is better than helping 200 people poorly
- Infrastructure first: Build systems before scaling—we did it backwards and paid the price
- Financial sustainability matters: You can't help anyone if you run out of money
- Team wellness is non-negotiable: Burnt-out staff can't provide quality service
- Know what you don't know: Build expert networks before taking on cases outside your expertise
- Document everything: Good records are essential for audits, fundraising, and program improvement
2023 Goals: Building on Our Foundation
With a solid foundation in place, we're positioned for strategic growth in 2023. Here's what we're working toward.
Serve 750+ Individuals
Increase capacity by 54% while maintaining quality standards
Expand to 45 Countries
Deepen presence in key regions and enter new markets
Launch Healthcare Program
Formalize healthcare access support with medical partnerships
Grow Team to 18 Staff
Strategic hiring in legal, case management, and regional expertise
Publish 50+ Reports
Expand research output to become go-to resource for asylum information
Build 6-Month Reserve
Establish financial stability with proper emergency fund
Investment Needed for 2023
To achieve these goals, we need to raise $1.4 million in 2023—a 64% increase over 2022. This will fund:
- 6 new staff positions plus benefits
- Expanded legal assistance budget
- Healthcare access program launch
- Enhanced technology infrastructure
- Building proper financial reserves
- Increased emergency relocation capacity
Thank You to Our Founding Supporters
You believed in us when we were nothing but an idea and a commitment.
Every single donor who contributed in 2022 took a risk on an unproven organization. You gave us a chance to prove that a different approach was possible. You invested not just money, but faith that we could build something meaningful.
Your $50 covered digital security training for someone in danger. Your $200 helped pay for legal documents and translations. Your $1,000 funded emergency relocation for a family. Your ongoing monthly donations gave us the stability to plan and grow.
But more than the dollars, you gave us legitimacy. You showed prospective clients that we were trustworthy. You demonstrated to funders that there was community support for our mission. You validated our belief that this work matters.
Founding Supporters - Thank You
Special gratitude to those who made major commitments to help us establish operations:
Founding Champions ($25,000+)
- Anonymous Donor
- The Morrison Family Trust
Pioneer Circle ($10,000+)
- Global Rights Foundation
- Tech for Good Collective
- Anonymous Donor (2)
Builders Circle ($5,000+)
- LGBTQ+ Legal Defense Alliance
- The Chen Family Foundation
- Rainbow Forward Initiative
- Anonymous Donor (3)
We also thank our 437 individual donors whose contributions built this organization from the ground up. Space doesn't permit naming everyone, but your support was essential to our success.
Partner Organizations
Our work was strengthened through early partnerships with:
- Rainbow Railroad
- Immigration Equality
- ILGA Europe
- Human Rights First
- And 4 additional partner organizations
Questions About Our Founding Year
How did you start The Freedom Frontier Fighters?
We began as an informal network in 2019 helping individuals navigate asylum systems. In early 2022, we formally incorporated as an NGO in Belgium to scale our impact and establish financial accountability. Our founder, Dr. Matthew McEvoy, left academia to build this organization full-time.
What was your asylum approval rate in your first year?
In 2022, we achieved an 85% approval rate for asylum cases we supported through completion. This compares favorably to the 35% global average for unrepresented asylum seekers, demonstrating that expert support significantly improves outcomes.
How can I trust a new organization with my donation?
We understand the importance of trust. That's why we committed to radical transparency from day one: independent financial audits, detailed program reports, and public accountability. Our 2022 financials received an unqualified audit opinion, and 85% of every dollar went directly to programs.
What makes you different from other asylum organizations?
We focus on cases other organizations consider "too difficult" or "low priority." We move fast, take calculated risks, and operate outside traditional constraints. We don't wait for systems to change—we help people navigate systems as they exist now.
Can you help me or someone I know seeking asylum?
Yes. Visit our Get Help page to submit a confidential inquiry. We review all requests and respond within 48 hours. Emergency cases receive immediate attention. All communications are encrypted and secure.
How did you grow so quickly in your first year?
Honestly? We made mistakes trying to help everyone who reached out. We learned that sustainable growth requires strong infrastructure. In 2023, we're focusing on strategic expansion with proper systems in place.
Help Us Build on This Foundation
Our breakthrough year proved this approach works. Now we need your support to scale responsibly and help even more people in 2023.
All donations are tax-deductible. We accept all major payment methods including cryptocurrency.