Southern Economic Advancement Project

Together, Progress is Possible

We partner with policy thinkers and doers to amplify their efforts and bridge gaps in policy infrastructure. Our goal is to advance policies that improve economic security, access to healthcare, and environmental justice for all Southerners.

Our Story

WHAT WE DO

Areas of Focus

cracked earth in a dry land

Environmental Justice

As climate change and extreme weather adversely impact the South, now is the time for action.

aerial shot of a farm

Economic Security

All Southerners deserve security in basic needs like food, housing, and transportation.

mother and daughter cook together in a kitchen

Access to Healthcare

We work towards policies that promote healthy living and access to quality care.

“Across the South, we have local leaders dedicated to improving the lives of those around us, and our goal is to call upon that common bond and support this transformative work through the Southern Economic Advancement Project.”

STACEY ABRAMS
SEAP Founder and Board Advisor

How We Do It

Initiatives

  • Our Dollars, Our Dreams
  • SouthStrong Policy Entrepreneur Program
  • Pathways to Prosperity
  • Medicaid Unwinding
  • Economic Recovery Corps

Our Dollars, Our Dreams

We’re working to expand equity and engagement practices in budgeting and empower Southern communities to take ownership of public dollars.

Get Involved
woman and man talk about something on a paper

SouthStrong Policy Entrepreneur Program

SEAP has launched a new Policy Entrepreneur Program to strengthen the policy ecosystem. It is designed to empower leaders with policy creation and advocacy skills through a comprehensive year-long curriculum.

Learn More
statuette of blondfolded Lady Justice holding scales and a sword

Pathways to Prosperity

SEAP, Fair Count, and the National Conference on Citizenship have assembled and analyzed this unique set of metrics to provide a state-by-state overview of climate shocks, climate adaptation activities, and civic health.

Learn More
nurse in protective gear gives patient a nasal swab

Medicaid Unwinding

Millions of Southern families are losing healthcare coverage due to the unwinding of Medicaid. SEAP has partnered with federal healthcare agencies, state navigators, and community-based organizations to help spread awareness and advocate for better communication on available resources.

Learn More
two seniors talk to each other

Economic Recovery Corps

SEAP is thrilled to announce our selection as a host community for the first Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) cohort. This groundbreaking initiative will connect 65 Fellows with Host Sites across 44 states and U.S. territories, fostering a nationwide network of diverse practitioners and leaders. We are honored to welcome Fenika Miller to our team.

Learn More

Our Dollars, Our Dreams

We’re working to expand equity and engagement practices in budgeting and empower Southern communities to take ownership of public dollars.

Get Involved
woman and man talk about something on a paper

SouthStrong Policy Entrepreneur Program

SEAP has launched a new Policy Entrepreneur Program to strengthen the policy ecosystem. It is designed to empower leaders with policy creation and advocacy skills through a comprehensive year-long curriculum.

Learn More
statuette of blondfolded Lady Justice holding scales and a sword

Pathways to Prosperity

SEAP, Fair Count, and the National Conference on Citizenship have assembled and analyzed this unique set of metrics to provide a state-by-state overview of climate shocks, climate adaptation activities, and civic health.

Learn More
nurse in protective gear gives patient a nasal swab

Medicaid Unwinding

Millions of Southern families are losing healthcare coverage due to the unwinding of Medicaid. SEAP has partnered with federal healthcare agencies, state navigators, and community-based organizations to help spread awareness and advocate for better communication on available resources.

Learn More
two seniors talk to each other

Economic Recovery Corps

SEAP is thrilled to announce our selection as a host community for the first Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) cohort. This groundbreaking initiative will connect 65 Fellows with Host Sites across 44 states and U.S. territories, fostering a nationwide network of diverse practitioners and leaders. We are honored to welcome Fenika Miller to our team.

Learn More

Contact Us

We Want to Hear From You

Connect with SEAP about potential partnerships, requests for assistance, and more.

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The South We Serve

SEAP seeks out, develops, and maintains strong partnerships with hundreds of leaders and organizations throughout the South. From technical assistance to microgrants, we help implement policies that improve the quality of life for vulnerable Southern communities and families.

SEAP has a direct focus on the following states:
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia

Alabama

As a recipient of the SEAP, Fair Count, and Levi 2022 Children Vaccine Outreach Grant, the Alabama Latino AIDS Coalition increased the region’s child and adult vaccination rates. Through its efforts, dozens of children and adults received COVID-19 vaccines and over 150 at-home tests were given out.

“Using the grant, we boosted our promotion, made care packages, and provided vaccine information to Spanish-speaking communities.”

Arkansas

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s deep impact in the South, Arkansas Community OrganizationsRock AR Vote, and the University of Central AR Center for Community and Economic Development have joined the SouthStrong initiative by SEAP. This partnership aims to drive an equity-centered, people-first approach to the pandemic’s challenges, focusing on the region’s historical issues of limited worker protection and structural racism.

Florida

Engage Miami, a nonprofit engaging in year-round community organizing, issue advocacy, and voter turnout, received SEAP’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) Community Outreach grant. The organization used the funds to help community members understand the impact of ARP dollars in Miami-Dade and advocate for increased housing and economic relief.

“We were able to build on the budget advocacy and education efforts that we’ve led at the county-level since 2018.”

Georgia

SEAP partnered with Deep Center to assist in story collection about the impact of youth fines and fees on families across Georgia. We also connected Deep Center and Berkeley Law Policy Advocacy Clinic to advance this effort. Through these efforts, fines and fees were abolished in Chatham County.

With SEAP’s microgrant and toolkit, SOWEGA Rising and Georgia ACT won $5 million for housing and energy and secured funds for summer and after school programming in Southwest Georgia. Acres of Ancestry used a SEAP microgrant to support a series of events that highlighted the work of BIPOC artists.

Kentucky

The University of LouisvilleKentucky Equal Justice CenterKentucky Center for Economic Policy, and Centre College have united with the SouthStrong initiative by the SEAP. This collaboration aims to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact in Kentucky, focusing on an equity-centered response. Their commitment is crucial in addressing the state’s socioeconomic disparities and ensuring equitable access to public resources for Kentucky’s most affected communities.

Louisiana

SEAP partnered with the Committee for a Better New Orleans to commit local leaders to spending American Rescue Plan funding equitably. As a result, the New Orleans City Council unanimously passed the ARP Model Resolution, drafted by SEAP.

Mississippi

One Voice Mississippi and the Mississippi NAACP partnered with SEAP to ensure state leaders’ American Rescue Plan spending reflected the needs of Mississippi families. To help organizations in this work, SEAP co-produced a toolkit specific to Mississippi.

North Carolina

Families First in Cabarrus County used a COVID-19 Vaccine Community Outreach grant from SEAP to help fully vaccinate more than 200 Hispanic parents. It is now helping youth to receive the vaccine.

SEAP partnered with the NC Budget and Tax Center to survey households in Rocky Mount on priorities for American Rescue Plan funding. Legal Aid and other local partners used survey results to communicate these priorities to city leaders.

South Carolina

The Lowcountry Rural Housing Task Force invested a SEAP microgrant to study its five counties’ housing needs. The group engaged with housing providers, nonprofits, and local governments at community fairs and organized five housing data walks.

Tennessee

SEAP provided the Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) with a grant to expand its chapter network and advance its agenda of ensuring all students have an equitable college experience that leads to graduation. With the grant, students from the SBNC met with elected officials in Nashville and got policy passed to reduce food insecurity at public universities.

Virginia

Virginia OrganizingPiedmont Housing AllianceReEstablish Richmond, and The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis joined the SouthStrong initiative by the SEAP. This collaboration addresses the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact in West Virginia with an equity-centered approach, focusing on overcoming the region’s socioeconomic disparities and structural challenges. Their involvement ensures equitable access to public resources and supports the state’s most vulnerable communities during these challenging times.

West Virginia

In 2022, the West Virginia Student Basic Needs Coalition achieved a significant milestone. The coalition successfully introduced a bill proposing the establishment of a basic needs office within student services at colleges. This initiative is crucial, aiming to provide essential resources and guidance for students navigating their college experience.

“We’re so proud of our amazing student leaders and all they have accomplished this year. Thank you all again for your support of their work. This opportunity has allowed us to amplify students’ voices and help them make their visions a reality.”