by, Dena Chadwick, President & CEO at Philanthropy Southeast

For those of us who work in the charitable sector, it's understandable to see the world defined by the problems we seek to solve and the challenges we face – and recently, there’s been no shortage of either.

In just the past two years, communities have been rocked by significant cuts and lapses in government funding. Natural disasters like Hurricane Helene have redefined the landscape, both literally and figuratively, requiring both immediate support and years of long-term response. Philanthropy has also faced increased scrutiny from policymakers whose actions – including investigations, legislation and public statements – amount to an effort to restrict the right of organizations to give in accordance with their mission, vision and values.

Yet despite all of the above – and maybe because of it – philanthropy in the Southeast seems to have entered a period defined by bold thinking, creativity and a determination to not only support communities, but also rally together on behalf of our entire sector.

When last year’s government shutdown led to a lapse in critical SNAP benefits, foundations throughout the region took action, partnering with local organizations and governments. The shutdown also led the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta to step in with a crucial bridge loan that kept area Head Start programs operating. In response to federal spending cuts, particularly to Medicaid and SNAP, some foundations have boosted their payout – for example, the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust in North Carolina, which recently announced it would continue to boost giving for the second year in a row. In Mississippi, the Woodward Hines Education Foundation rose to the occasion when a state budget shortfall threatened access to a key scholarship program.

These are just a few examples of how foundations in the Southeast have leveraged their financial capital to meet this moment – and they’re only part of a broader transformation in how philanthropy operates in our region.

As an organization with around 300 members across 11 states, Philanthropy Southeast has been able to observe sweeping changes taking place throughout our footprint. Our 2026 Member Survey revealed that foundations have made significant shifts in response to increased community need:

• 72 percent have provided emergency or rapid response funding

• 70 percent have provided non-monetary support to grantees

• 65 percent have provided more flexible or unrestricted funding

• 63 percent have convened local nonprofits and grantees

• 61 percent have streamlined their grant application process

• 57 percent have joined in pooled funds or collaborations

Findings like these make it clear that philanthropic leaders in our region understand the enormity of the challenges their communities face, are willing to tap into multiple forms of capital to provide support and understand the importance of collaboration and partnership – with grantee partners, government and other funders – to maximizing their impact.

This burst of innovation and creativity has taken place amid a spike in threats to philanthropic freedom – the First Amendment right of organizations to direct their efforts toward the charitable causes and communities they choose without fear of political or legal consequences. These threats have taken many forms – attempts to tax philanthropic assets, proposed regulations, legislative investigations and a broad opposition to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion – but collectively share the goal of placing a chilling effect on our sector’s work.

Philanthropy Southeast and our members, along with philanthropic leaders across the country, have responded directly to this environment by sharing information, working together and meeting with lawmakers to uphold our sector’s freedom and help them understand its importance.

Our defense of philanthropic freedom is about more than our members. It’s also about preserving an environment where we can respond to challenges in inspiring and meaningful ways – and support our communities when they need it the most.

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