the name "vrije groepen" ("free groups") indicated that the resistance groups did not want to join the national resistance organisation "landelijke organisatie voor hulp aan onderduikers" (lo) but preferred to remain independent. the choice to remain independent was often related to the fact that the lo reported all families hiding jews and others from the nazis to the "nationaal steun fonds" (nsf), an organisation which coordinated the financial support of the dutch resistance activities. this reporting was considered too risky by the "vrije groepen", who therefore chose not to be affiliated with the lo. another reason why these groups preferred to remain independent of the national organisations was that many of the groups represented specific minorities such as jews or socialists.