A History of Philanthropy in the South

As SECF celebrates its 50 year anniversary, this timeline highlights milestones in our work while also lifting up the rich historical, political, and social context that defines so much of what makes the South unique.

Select a time period to view events from that time, ordered from earliest to latest. Read more to dive into the details of each event.

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Previous: 1969-1990

Next: 2008-present

1991-2007

  • 1993

    SECF launches Community Foundation Development Project.

    Southern Philanthropy SECF

  • 1993

    SECF launches Community Foundation Initiative with special funding from Robert W. Woodruff and other foundations.

    Southern Philanthropy SECF

  • 1994

    Martin Lehfeldt becomes director of Community Foundation Initiative.

    Southern Philanthropy SECF

  • 1994

    Southern Rural Development Initiative established in Raleigh, North Carolina, advocating for racial and economic justice in the rural South.

    Southern Philanthropy SECF

  • 1996

    Dorothy S. Ridings succeeds James Joseph as President and CEO of the Council on Foundations; at the time, COF had more than 2,000 members that collectively were disbursing $18 billion in grants annually.

    National Philanthropy

  • 1996

    Martin Lehfeldt reports identifying 92 community foundations in the Southeast region.

    Southern Philanthropy

  • 1997

    Grant from C.S. Mott Foundation enables SECF to being program to increase philanthropy in the South.

    Southern Philanthropy SECF

  • 1998

    Martin C. Lehfeldt becomes executive director of SECF.

    Former SECF President Martin Lehfeldt
    Southern Philanthropy

  • 1998

    To diversify top-level staff at SECF, Martin Lehfeldht hires Imani Burnett.

    Southern Philanthropy SECF

  • 1998

    New Ventures in Philanthropy awards SECF planning grant to establish southern-philanthropy Consortium to promote formation of new philanthropy in areas of the rural South.

    Southern Philanthropy SECF

  • 1999

    Ford Foundation awards grant for SECF work with new health care foundations in region.

    National Philanthropy

  • 2000

    Hull Fellows Program established in honor of Robert Hull's 18 years of service as SECF executive director.

    The 2010 Hull Fellows at their mid-program retreat.
    Southern Philanthropy SECF

  • 2001

    Annie E. Casey Foundation estatablishes its Atlanta Civic Site.

    National Philanthropy

  • 2001

    SECF helps launch the Georgia Rural Philanthropy Initiative with the Sapelo Foundation.

    Southern Philanthropy SECF

  • 2001

    SECF publishes first edition of southern-philanthropy: A Regional Overview.

    Cover image of southern-philanthropy: A Regional Overview
    Southern Philanthropy SECF

  • 2003

    Two separate efforts come together, with support from a planning grant from the Ford Foundation, to form the Black Belt Community Foundation in Alabama.

    Southern Philanthropy

  • 2003

    SECF develops and delivers continuing legal education courses in partnership with bar associations in nine states.

    Southern Philanthropy SECF

  • 2004

    Congress passes new regulations regarding foundation finances, following rapid growth of foundation assets in the late 1990s

    National Philanthropy

  • 2005

    SECF holds its first family foundations gathering.

    Southern Philanthropy SECF

  • 2005

    Hurricane Katrina devastates coastal communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, resulting in more than 1,800 deaths and $81 billion in damages, prompting a significant philanthropic response.

    Hurricane Katrina rescue efforts. Source: Tidewater Muse, Flickr
    Historical Background

  • 2005

    SECF leadership convenes the first family foundation retreat in Point Clear, Alabama.

    Attendees at SECF's Family Foundations Forum in Point Clear, Alabama
    Southern Philanthropy SECF

Continue to: 2008-present