GSP Special Bulletin: The South is ready. Is philanthropy?
Right now, the South is a blaze of fire. But as with every fire before, Southern movements are already in formation—working overtime to turn this moment into a controlled burn. Allowing the systems that have placed our communities in grave danger to burn away while safeguarding the resources we will need to reseed, rebuild, and reimagine what comes next.
Now ask yourself this question: would you show up to a wildfire and simply start dumping water? No. You would trust the firefighters and their battalion to instruct you on what is needed, where resources should go, and how to strategically place them. Because they are best positioned to put the fire out.
That is where we are in this moment.
We must organize the resources we have and listen to the guidance Southern movements have already given us. They already have the strategies. They already know the terrain. They already know what it will take to win. What they need now are investments of capital—in all its forms—to move their tactics forward and help bring this fire to rest.
And if we are being honest, Southern communities have been warning us for years. They have asked us to pay attention to the warning signs, and too often we did not listen. We cannot afford to make that mistake again.
Democracy is under attack, and Southern movements are on the front lines. Winning this fight requires more than statements of solidarity, conference panels, or public commitments. It requires resources moving at the speed of the crisis.
This crisis is not just about the current moment, though. It is an opportunity to build infrastructure that truly resources Southern movements in ways that avoids the pattern that leads us into crisis after crisis. Philanthropy has consistently funded in election and crisis cycles. Now, we require something more — investment strategies that fuels movement’s ability to be proactive, not responsive.
Southern movements need a significant influx of resources—not symbolic support, not delayed commitments, but real money moving now. If philanthropy wants movements to fight and win against the attacks on our democracy, this is the moment to give like it.
I have no doubt that we can win. Even in the face of voter suppression, gerrymandering, attacks on civil rights, and efforts to silence communities, we can win. But we cannot win with our hands tied behind our backs.
Movement leaders are asking me directly: What is philanthropy going to do? Are they going to move the money or not?
And in my most Southern voice, I am asking the same question:
What you gon’ do?
It is July. Organizers are waiting to be hired across every Southern state. Physical and digital security systems need to be strengthened. Data infrastructure must be coordinated. Campaigns need to be launched. Transportation must be fueled. Communities must be mobilized.
The strategy is clear. The leadership is ready. The communities are prepared.
What is missing is the investment.
History will remember what philanthropy did in this moment. Whether it chose caution or courage. Whether it protected institutions or invested in people. Whether it watched from the sidelines or stood shoulder to shoulder with the communities fighting for our collective future.
The South is ready.
The question is: Is philanthropy?
Grantmakers for Southern Progress is here to help you figure out how to align your strategies with the strategies of movements across the South. Let’s build this infrastructure together.
Move the money.