Research Highlights from the Philanthropy Southeast Resource Hub

Philanthropy Southeast’s Resource Hub, our searchable collection of resources related to best practices in grantmaking, foundation management, nonprofit governance, and equitable practices in philanthropy, is regularly updated with new items – including those highlighted below. 

You can recommend content for the Resource Hub using this online form. You may also provide suggestions or share any feedback by  contacting Stephen Sherman, Philanthropy Southeast’s Senior Director of Engagement and Learning, at [email protected] or (404) 524-0911. 

Advancing Black Workers in the South: An HBCU Research Initiative
Center for Economic and Policy Research (2026)
This report from the Advancing Black Workers in the South study, an initiative of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), focuses on the challenges Black workers in the South face at work and Black workers’ experiences with and attitudes toward unions. Variable work hours, work load, and workplace safety were among the top concerns for Black workers interviewed as part of the study. The majority of the respondents report positive attitudes toward unions. The authors conclude with policy recommendations to address workplace concerns and promote employee organizing.

Investing for Impact: A Decision-Making Tool
The Annie E. Casey Foundation (2026)
This decision-making tool uses practices that the Annie E. Casey Foundation has honed over its years of impact investing to ensure each investment decision incorporates factors important to the foundation in a systematic way. The tool scores opportunities across 10 criteria, and this approach allows funders to systematically compare investments and prioritize options with the greatest potential for both financial and social returns. While Casey uses this tool to further its mission of advancing well-being for children, youth and families, other investors with different social missions also may find it useful to apply the process. Throughout this tool, short case studies illustrate how these factors led to successful foundation impact investments.