Solidarity Not Charity: FAN's Approach to Mutual Aid

At Freedom Action Now, we practice solidarity, not charity. Our mutual aid framework is rooted in the understanding that those facing systemic oppression are the experts on their own needs.

Unlike traditional charitable models that create power imbalances between givers and receivers, our approach centers:

• Direct Decision-Making: Community members decide how resources are allocated
• No Strings Attached: Resources come without behavioral conditions or moral judgments
• Political Education: Every material exchange is connected to broader political analysis
• Sustainability: Building long-term community infrastructure, not one-time donations

Since our founding, we have distributed resources directly to hundreds of families in the Madison area.