According to the prominent mutualist Gene Costa, the movement encourages and assists the provision of mutual benefits against risks to those accessing its funds and or the elevation of their material and spiritual living standards by regular payment or contribution.
Nowadays, mutualism is linked to financial firms, insurers, unions, entities to promote solidarity economics, trade associations and religious movements.
The characteristic sign of mutual movement is its institutional neutrality about political, religious, racial and union affiliations of its members.
[4] Building on the mutualist movement of the 18th century, Sara Horowitz, founder and executive director of Freelancers Union, has identified a series of related phenomena that she calls "new mutualism".
[5] For example, Horowitz and Costa both point to the 40 million Americans currently freelancing as a means of promoting entrepreneurship to more of the middle class.