“Grassroots mutual aid trusts those most impacted by disasters to know what they need and provides the ability to self-advocate, rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all solution.”
~Miriam Belblidia and Chenier Kliebert
Mutual aid transforms how communities respond to disasters. Unlike traditional charity models, mutual aid promotes solidarity, co-governance and collective care. It is not simply the exchange of goods or services, but a practice rooted in self-organization, direct action and social transformation. It recognizes that everyone has needs and something to offer.
Professor Dean Spade writes, “Mutual aid describes the work we do in social movements to directly support each other’s survival needs, based on a shared understanding that the crises we are facing are caused by the system that we’re living under.” His framing challenges funders to rethink their role, not as saviors or leaders, but as partners in community-led recovery.
Join CDP for a webinar exploring how mutual aid operates in disaster contexts, what distinguishes it from charity, and how funders can support these models without co-opting or diluting the power of those closest to the need and solutions for equitable recovery.
By the end of this webinar, donors will:
- Understand the principles and practices of mutual aid in disaster contexts, including how it differs from charity.
- Learn why supporting mutual aid is a high-impact approach to disaster giving.
- Explore funding strategies that support community-led recovery and long-term resilience.
Who should attend?
- Philanthropic organizations, advisors, individual donors and funders
- Disaster response and recovery professionals
- Community leaders and policymakers
- Anyone interested in learning about mutual aid in disasters
CDP Director of Coalition Building Taylor Dudley will moderate the discussion.
Panelists: (Additional panelists will be added as they are confirmed.)
- Stacie Fugate, Executive Director, Appalachians for Appalachia
- Chenier “Klie” Kliebert, Co-founder and Executive Director, Imagine Water Works
This webinar is co-sponsored by the Council on Foundations, Giving Compass, PEAK Grantmaking, Philanthropy New York, The Funders Network and United Philanthropy Forum.
Accessibility information
Automated captioning in multiple languages will be available via Zoom during the webinar. CDP desires to provide accessible webinars. Please email Katie Huang by Oct. 3 with any accommodation requests.