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Nathan Cummings Foundation
Place Based Initiative |

U.S. South

In November of 2024, NCF finalized its commitment to bring 40% of our assets — both financial and non-financial — to support racial, economic, and environmental solutions across the U.S. South in concert with stakeholders in the public and private sectors

NCF is focusing its work at the regional level on the 13 target states of AL, AR, GA, KY, MO, OK, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV with an emphasis on work in LA, AL, and MS. NCF staff is working to distribute financial resources (grants and program-related investments) along with other assets (people and relationships, capital, knowledge, and voice) to advance catalytic opportunities in the region and source partnerships to provide support at the local, regional, and national level.

Farmers at the Farmer Stakeholder Meeting 2024

Our Approach

Why NCF is Investing in the U.S. South

For over a century, the U.S. South has endured disinvestment and systemic inequity—yet it receives less than 3% of national philanthropic funding. We focus on amplifying the region’s community-led solutions that are advancing innovative, justice-driven solutions.

Facilitating, Not Imposing

The strongest solutions are born locally. We partner with communities to support their priorities—not impose our own. By backing local leadership, we help build the conditions for strategic collaboration, sustainable resourcing, and lasting change.

Community-Centered Power

Lasting change is built when communities have the power, resources, and trust to lead. We invest in local leadership, honor lived experience, and support the infrastructure that enables Southern changemakers to organize, collaborate, and thrive.

Southern Innovation, National Impact

The U.S. South is a proving ground for justice-centered solutions with relevance far beyond the region. We uplift local efforts that offer powerful models for resilience, equity, and collaboration—solutions that can inform and inspire nationwide change.

“So goes the South, so goes the nation. NCF humbly supports community-driven justice solutions through a humble and relational approach.”

Isaac Luria, Senior Director of Place-Based Initiatives

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