Join THE RAPID RESPONSE LIST
Who can join Resource Movement’s Rapid Response List?
Resource Movement's (www.resourcemovement.org) Rapid Response List started as an opt-in email list, open to anyone who wants to support time-sensitive requests for support from social justice movements and individuals seeking survival support.
You can join the email list or start a monthly donation, or both! The need for support continues to be great, and we're eager to increase our capacity for collective redistribution. If all of us pitch in any amount, we can fund many more amazing things together!
The New Rapid Response List
At it's inception, RRL members would send funds directly to individuals by e-transfer, in the style of mutual aid. In the new system [launched September 2023], requests are referred through community partners, and the majority of asks are fulfilled through a pooled funding source, the Rapid Response Survival Fund, rather than individual donors. This new system helps provide certainty to those urgently needing funds and helps RRL fund more of the requests at 100%.
You can expect an email blast once a month outlining where funds have been redistributed, including a short description of the request, dollar amounts, and through which community partner, if applicable! We will also include links to public requests that have not been fully met.
What types of requests are supported through this list?
Requests for support generally meet the following criteria (adapted from Resource Generation’s Giving Guide & their Social Justice Philanthropy Principles):
Be from a trusted partner of RM/RRL.
Focus on systemic change, addressing root causes of colonial, racial, social, economic and environmental injustice.
Centre the leadership of people impacted by the injustices they are fighting.
Build power within marginalized communities.
Be based in Canada or have a connection with Canada.
Funds will not be used for any illegal activities.
Survival requests come from individuals or families seeking support with the basic costs of living: rent, groceries, medications, etc. Individuals seeking survival support may also be organizers/part of movements, but need not be.
At this time we do not have the ability to raise support for large capital projects as our focus is on urgent requests for support.
Is this list only for supporting protests, actions, or other “organizing” activities?
No! We recognize that, for individuals and communities directly impacted by injustice, addressing root causes and building power can look many different ways, such as supporting artistic activism or the basic needs of activists.
How can someone submit a request to this list?
Our 'Need help from the List?' page contains a bunch of useful info for anyone who’s interested in submitting a request to the Rapid Response List.
How will my personal info be used/shared, if I sign up?
The list of Rapid Response List members is stored on Resource Movement’s central database, which is accessible to about a dozen core RM organizers. Emails on this list are always sent out as “BCC”, meaning list members do not ever see each other’s email addresses. Names and contact info of list members are never shared externally.
Who manages the Rapid Response email list?
Currently, the group is managed by five RM members, all of whom are white and class-privileged. We want to expand and diversify this group - if you want to join the team and help do some incredibly rewarding work growing a grassroots redistribution mechanism, just get in touch, we would love to have you on board.
Can I share this resource with other people in my network?
Yes! Anyone can feel free to let movement groups know that this resource exists.
This list is an ongoing and evolving experiment and we welcome feedback from anyone who has been involved with this list in any way!
To sign up to join the list, please use the form below!