The Sustainable Economies Law Center has put together a thoughtful and rich toolkit for anyone interested in mutual aid networks as an approach to address community issues.
Here is a taste of the preface and a link below to download the guide…
“Mutual aid groups can form in at least a couple ways.
The first category of mutual aid groups are those that are completely volunteer-run and grassroots-led. These groups typically start off with a couple of volunteer organizers who coordinate the collection of food, money, and other resources, for redistribution to local neighbors in need. These groups tend to be unincorporated.
A second category are grassroots mutual aid groups that have evolved and grown to a point where they are now thinking of establishing an entity. These groups may be handling cash in the tens of thousands of dollars range, or starting to receive grants in large sums, or branching out to launch large-scale efforts to coordinate food delivery, etc.
Meanwhile, a third category of mutual aid efforts stem out as an activity of a pre-established nonprofit organization or cooperative. In these instances, the pre-existing organization has other activities in place, and the mutual aid isn’t their sole focus.
This toolkit was drafted with the first and second type of mutual aid groups in mind. That said, we welcome all readers and mutual aid groups to dig in. This is an evolving document and we hope to adapt it as we receive feedback and learn from you.
GET THE MUTUAL AID TOOLKIT:
https://www.theselc.org/mutual_aid_toolkit
SUPPORT THE LOWCOUNTRY MUTUAL AID FUND
which “is organized by a multi-racial and intergenerational coalition including members from the SC Housing Justice Network, Fresh Future Farm, Charleston Immigrant Coalition, Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities, people working to support migrant farmworkers, the SC Indian Affairs Commission, #ProtectSCPrisoners, Community First Land Trust and Charleston Area Justice Ministry.:
https://donorbox.org/lowcountry-mutual-aid-fund
