THE SEAP STORY
Founded by Stacey Abrams in 2019, SEAP is your partner and resource. We amplify the efforts of existing organizations and networks that work towards broadening economic power and building a more equitable future. Broadening economic power brings attention to how race, class and gender intersect social and economic policy in the South. We explore policy ideas designed to directly address these connections. SEAP focuses on 12 Southern states and marginalized/vulnerable populations within the region and is a fiscally sponsored project of the Roosevelt Institute.
To connect with our team, please email us at SEAP@rooseveltinstitute.org.
HOW WE CAN HELP
SEAP technical assistance provides innovative and rigorous policy support for Southern organizations. Together we will create bridges and overcome barriers that broaden economic power throughout the region and build a more equitable future. We assist in gathering data; performing research; linking policy analysts, organizers, and scholars; communicating policy; and identifying best practices.
Please email us for more information: seap@rooseveltinstitute.org.
SEAP technical assistance provides innovative and rigorous policy support for Southern organizations. Together we will create bridges and overcome barriers that broaden economic power throughout the region and build a more equitable future. We assist in gathering data; performing research; linking policy analysts, organizers, and scholars; communicating policy; and identifying best practices.
Please sign-up for SEAP's newsletter to stay informed on the latest microgrants information.
At SEAP, we want to provide aid to fill the gaps in organizations that are doing great work for their community. Before we can offer you support, SEAP is devoted to learning more about your organization and community impact. Our team can visit your region to set up roundtables with similar organizations to hear concerns and challenges. Our 2-hour listening sessions help dissect the struggles and barriers within policy and leadership. SEAP’s goals are to learn about the challenges of communities and the organizations serving those communities, and policy infrastructure to meet those challenges.
Please email us for more information: seap@rooseveltinstitute.org.
SEAP strives to give students, graduates and young professionals a chance to learn about the work that we do. Through our 10-week, paid internship program, we provide local and remote interns an opportunity to build their research skills and professional experience. Ideal candidates:
- Self-starters
- Interested in economic security and sustainability
- Strong knowledge of G-Suite and Microsoft Office
- Ability to work with limited supervision
- Strong communication skills via email and phone
SEAP'S IMPACT ACROSS THE SOUTH
Aligning with its mission and vision, the Southern Economic Advancement Project seeks out, develops and maintains strong partnerships with hundreds of leaders and organizations throughout the South. From technical assistance to microgrants, SEAP has helped implement policies that improve the quality of life for some of the most vulnerable Southern communities and families.
Hover over your state to see SEAP’s latest impact near you!
In 2022, the Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) West Virginia State Coalition introduced legislation to support the development of a basic needs office within student services. The bill, HB 4705, states that “at least one-third of two-year students are housing insecure, including up to 14 percent who are homeless, whereas up to 19 percent of four-year students are housing insecure.”
SEAP provided the SBNC with a grant to expand their chapter network and advance the agenda of ensuring all students have an equitable college experience that leads to graduation.
In Louisiana, the SEAP partnered with the Committee for a Better New Orleans to commit local leaders to equitably spending American Rescue Plan funding. In October 2021, the New Orleans City Council unanimously passed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Model Resolution, drafted by the SEAP. You can find the resolution here.
Through their partnership, SEAP provided the SBNC with a grant to expand their chapter network and advance the agenda of ensuring all students have an equitable college experience that leads to graduation.
In March 2022, students with the Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) met with their elected officials in Nashville. Their meeting aimed to promote HB 1669/SB 1825, which requires the Tennessee Higher Education Commission's executive director to reduce food insecurity at public universities.
In October 2022, the Tennessee students' policy passed and was recognized for the Ten For Tennessee award.
As a recipient of the SEAP, Fair Count, and Levi 2022 Children Vaccine Outreach Grant, the Alabama Latino AIDS Coalition increased their region's child and adult vaccination rates.
“We are grateful for these funds. After the pandemic, we restarted outreach in the immigrant community by coordinating three outreach events, which resulted in 32 adults and 14 children receiving their COVID-19 vaccine in Alabama. Using the grant, we boosted our promotion, made care packages (hand sanitizer, hygiene products, etc.), and provided vaccine information to the Spanish-speaking communities. We coordinated culturally sensitive events for our community for Día de las Madres and Día del Niño. We had yummy Mexican food for the mamas, toys and backpacks for the kids receiving the vaccine, and we partnered with a clinic to give away over 150 self-test kits for COVID-19.”
In 2022, Acres of Ancestry received a micro grant from SEAP, which supported a series of community art programs and fine art exhibition throughout the month of September in Georgia. These events honored and highlighted the art and work of BIPOC artists.
The South Carolina Lowcountry Rural Housing Task Force (Rural Housing Task Force) was created in early 2021 when local housing providers and their supporters that serve Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Hampton, and Jasper counties, recognized that they share similar challenges when attempting to address the housing needs facing their communities. In 2022, the Rural Housing Task Force received a microgrant from SEAP to study these challenges. The Rural Housing Task Force engaged with other housing providers, nonprofits, and their local governments by surveying staff of for‐profit, utility and nonprofit organizations who attended community fairs. Project organizers held five housing data walks in the SC counties.