General FAQ
The MAD AF Strategy
What is the MAD AF Trifecta Strategy?
While other throw random ideas at the wall hoping something sticks, our three-part strategy is built on proven psychological principles that create real, measurable change. Each part of our strategy – Weekly Actions, Community Initiatives, and Visual Impact – works together to create a reinforcement cycle that makes our message stick and inspires action.
How do Weekly Actions create real change?
Unlike traditional awareness campaigns that bombard people with endless messages, our Weekly Actions use Social Learning Theory to make information stick. When you share our weekly message, people are 3-4 times more likely to remember and act on it because they’re hearing it from someone they trust rather than a faceless organization trying to scare them with statistics.
What makes your community initiatives more effective?
While other organizations hand out rigid scripts and expect everyone to follow them, we use Self-Determination Theory to help people create change through their natural talents and interests. Whether you’re an artist, athlete, teacher, or just love bringing people together, we help you turn your passion into powerful community action that saves lives.
How does your visual strategy work?
Our visual strategy uses the Von Restorff Effect to create lasting impact. Every piece of MAD AF gear is designed to trigger what scientists call a “pattern interruption,” making our message more likely to be noticed, remembered, and shared – creating awareness moments that actually start those important life saving conversations.
Why does combining all three parts matter?
This three-part strategy creates a multiplication effect. When Weekly Actions spread through trusted networks, community initiatives bring those messages to life, and our visual presence keeps the message visible and memorable, we create unstoppable momentum that changes how entire communities protect themselves from the fentanyl crisis.
About Our Movement
What exactly is MAD AF?
You won’t find us standing around with our hands out begging for donations, MAD AF is busy getting stuff done. We’re a movement of parents and community members who fund our mission through merchandise sales rather than donations, which means we spend our time saving lives instead of organizing endless fundraisers.
Why do you sell merchandise instead of accepting donations?
Let’s be honest – how many times have you donated to a cause only to wonder where that money really went? Every piece of MAD AF gear serves two purposes: it funds our mission directly through sales and starts conversations that save lives every time someone wears it. No mysterious administrative costs, no fancy galas – just straight action that creates real change.
Getting Involved
How can I join MAD AF and make a difference?
You don’t need to write a check to make a difference with MAD AF. Each week, we release one powerful message for our community to share – just five minutes of your time can help save lives by spreading awareness to thousands. You can also choose to support our mission by wearing our gear, which funds life-saving initiatives while creating awareness every time you wear it.
What are the Weekly Actions and how do they work?
Every Friday, we release one carefully crafted message that’s backed by science and designed to save lives. When thousands of us share the same message throughout the week, we create what scientists call a “Social learning Theory” – making people more likely to remember and act on the information. Just five minutes of sharing each week can reach up to 1,900 people monthly, creating waves of awareness that grow stronger with each person who joins in.
The Wall of Remembrance
What is the Wall of Remembrance?
The Wall of Remembrance is our eternal promise to preserve the memory of those lost to fentanyl, not just as statistics but as the vibrant, loved individuals they were. Each story shared becomes part of a living archive that will exist as long as the internet does, helping others understand the true human cost of this crisis while potentially saving lives through the power of personal connection.
How can I share my loved one’s story on the Wall?
Adding your loved one’s story to the Wall of Remembrance is a permanent tribute that can help save others. You can submit their story along with up to three photos that capture their spirit and personality through our submission form here. Once submitted, their story becomes part of our permanent archive, helping to create change while preserving their memory exactly as you tell it.
Impact Awards & Community Action
What are the Impact Awards exactly?
Starting December 2025, we’re doing something revolutionary – giving life-changing amounts of money directly to people who create real change in their communities. Unlike traditional organizations that make you jump through endless hoops just to be considered, our Impact Awards are decided by community votes and go to real people doing real work, not professional grant writers or big organizations.
How will you help me create an effective community initiative?
While others just hand you a pamphlet and wish you luck, we’re launching a comprehensive planning tool in January that walks you through every step of creating successful community initiatives. This free tool helps you plan, track, and document your impact, ensuring you have everything you need to create meaningful change in your community and potentially qualify for our Impact Awards.
Our Approach
What makes MAD AF’s strategy more effective than traditional awareness campaigns?
Traditional awareness campaigns blow their budgets on billboards and TV ads that people forget about in a week. Our three-part strategy uses proven psychological principles like Social Learning Theory and the Von Restorff Effect to create lasting change through authentic community action and consistent message reinforcement that actually sticks in people’s minds.
How do you measure success and impact?
While others count their success in dollars raised, we measure ours in lives saved and communities changed. Our metrics track real-world impact through awareness reach, behavioral changes, and actual lives affected by our initiatives. Every action, from Weekly Shares to community initiatives, is measured for its real-world impact rather than just counting social media likes or donation totals.
Free Gear Program
How does your free gear program work?
We believe money should never stop someone from helping save lives. Through our free gear program, we provide complete MAD AF gear packages to those who want to help but can’t afford to purchase items. Applications are processed as funding becomes available, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to create awareness moments that save lives.
Orders & Shipping
How does your shipping work?
Unlike companies that nickel-and-dime you with shipping fees, we offer free shipping on all orders because we believe in making it easy to join our mission. Each order is handmade with care for sustainability and to reduce waste, typically shipping within 5 business days with an additional week for delivery.
What’s your return policy?
Because every purchase directly funds our Capital Pool, which is dedicated to saving lives through specific programs and initiatives, we cannot accept returns once funds have been allocated. However, in the unlikely event you receive a damaged product (rare since each item is handmade and inspected), we’ll send you a replacement at no cost – no questions asked.
The Capital Pool
What exactly is the MAD AF Capital Pool?
Every purchase of our Mom’s and Dad’s Against Fentanyl line adds directly into this dedicated fund that powers our Impact Awards, provides free gear to those who need it, and supports community initiatives – no fuzzy math, no hidden fees, just straight action that saves lives.
How is the Capital Pool different from traditional funding models?
Unlike traditional non-profits that spend most of their time begging for donations and paying fundraising staff, our Capital Pool is self-sustaining through merchandise sales. This means we spend our time actually saving lives instead of organizing fancy galas or writing grant proposals. The Pool grows naturally with every purchase, funding real change through our Impact Awards and community initiatives.