as of February 2023, 20% of all sales by OPTICTUNA go to direct mutual aid to both individual and community causes in the twin cities, MN. You can find the distribution of these funds here.

What is mutual aid?

to me, it’s the direct, person-to-person support, especially when structural support has failed or never existed in the first place. I think everyone should do it in any way they can.

honestly the wikipedia page on this is pretty good if you want more details.

Why local mutual aid groups? Why not non-profits?

I think that many (not all) non-profits can be out of touch with the needs of a community and often cannot protect or provide for the most vulnerable people in our society because of bureaucratic red tape—or choose to not help due to fear of optics and Neo-lib handwringing about who “deserves help.” needless to say, this means most of the money dispersed by OPTICTUNA goes to radical, anarchist, and often direct-action mutual aid groups in the TCs.

How do you choose where to send money?

I don’t vet recipients, I will never vet recipients. The twin cities has a flourishing mutual aid network, and I know many of these orgs personally or through folks in my life who I love and trust. I tend to disperse funds most regularly towards food justice, harm reduction and safe drug access, supplies for unhoused neighbors, and land-back movements.

Can I recommend a place to send funds to?

yes! email OPTICTUNA directly at or fill out the contact me form :)