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Mutual Aid Societies are organizations formed to provide mutual aid, benefit, or insurance among members. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Mexican Americans living in rural areas formed sociedades mutualistas to provide each other a financial safety net in response to their exclusion from Anglo-owned insurance companies. These groups were locally organized and not run for profit like mainstream insurance companies—instead, members received equal benefits (both monetary and non-monetary) for medical emergencies, funerals, unemployment, and other causes of financial hardship.
Although private corporations and the government have subsumed many features of mutual aid societies, many communities that have been shut out of mainstream institutions still use mutual aid societies today with the central purpose of fostering community and helping those in need.
Lending Circles are a prevalent financing model around the world known as tandas, hui, and susus. Many immigrant communities organize informal lending circles whereby individuals pool money and democratically select a member to receive a zero-fee, zero-interest loan, and/or rotate the loan until each member benefits.
Giving Circles often take the form of a group of people who gather regularly, pool their funds and resources, and decide collectively to support a cause by donating money.
Gift Circles operate under the same premise of mutual aid, but generally do not involve money. Instead, members come together to share their needs and services. Most importantly, they share their services with no expectation of anything in return. Services may include anything from a haircut to help making business cards.
Discussion
Our discussion will begin with a historical background of mutual aid societies, lending circles and gift circles. Next, organizations and members of the community, including Mission Asset Fund, will present examples of how these models are currently being utilized to benefit the community. Finally, SELC specialists and attorneys will discuss the legal issues and legal frameworks (including the benefits of 501(c)(8) and 501(c)(10) status) in establishing and formalizing different forms of mutual aid societies, lending circles and gift circles.
The Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC) cultivates a new legal landscape that supports community resilience and grassroots economic empowerment. SELC provides essential legal tools — education, research, advice, and advocacy — to support this transition to localized, resilient economies. Our work focuses on practices that promote justice and sharing, including Cooperatives, Community Currencies, Community Enterprises, Local Investing, Cohousing, Urban Agriculture, Community Renewable Energy, and other innovative economic strategies.
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