Philanthropy vs. Mutual Aid
Y'all, we can do better...
Yesterday was National Philanthropy Day in the US, an opportunity to uplift philanthropic efforts to support anti-genocide efforts or support community care. And you know? It was pretty quiet. I’m so sick of quiet.
Truly, our systems and institutions are resourced enough to meaningfully change thing— they just won't. Don't. Philanthropy as a model and as a mechanism, has enormous amounts money to give away but it won't — either because it's outside their funding strategy or doesn't quite fit into an existing portfolio or doesn't give them the tax breaks they need.
Fuck your tax breaks.
Do you know how many poor and under-resourced people around the country and the world are giving money they don't even have to keep their neighbors fed, without any sort of tax break! It's called mutual aid, and its how marginalized communities stay alive. Mutual aid has legacy in Black Panther organizing, rent parties, indigenous community care, and people of color— as per usual— are the pioneers.
With New Moon Network, I help fund sex worker and survivor-led organizations that do, quite often, mutual aid. What this looks like is we regrant our money to a 501 (c) 3 who then holds those funds for mutual aid purposes, disbursing to individuals in need of rapid response care— a hotel stay, a bill paid, food for the week, medical care, or help to escape an abusive domestic partnership. Most of the organizers AND recipients of the mutual aid in this way are sex workers or survivors. We (sex working communities and people of color) often give more than the 5% required by Private Foundations, all with budgets under half a million (and sometimes dramatically less).
This money isn't yours to begin with. Give it away.
If you don't know how, or to whom, reach out to me! I am well connected to mutual aid networks across the country providing cash to individuals in need.
If you need the tax break, I get it! I can also help make that happen.
If you have trouble processing any of this— please feel free to let me know and we can set up a call.
In solidarity.
Melodie