Institute for Southern Studies

The Institute for Southern Studies is a nonprofit research and media center that exposes injustice, strengthens democracy and builds a community for change in the South. 

Through Facing South and other research, education and outreach programs, the Institute draws attention to key trends and issues in the South, the growing national importance of the region and innovative work for lasting change. 

Since our founding in 1970 by civil rights veterans, the Institute has gained a national reputation as an essential resource for community leaders, policy makers, journalists and others concerned about lasting change in the South.

Public Interest Media

The Institute produces award-winning, in-depth journalism on important issues in the South, ranging from money in politics to environmental justice and civil rights. The Institute publishes Facing South, an online magazine, and an email newsletter covering important Southern news and trends.

Since 1973, the Institute has also published Southern Exposure, the premier journal about the region featuring hard-hitting investigations, unsentimental portraits of Southern life and resources for change. Though currently out of print, Southern Exposure's back issues are important resources for anyone interested in Southern movements for change.

Strategic Research

The Institute produces timely, credible research on important issues such as the South's changing demographics, Southern politics and trends in the Southern economy. Institute research is widely used by community leaders, policy makers, funders and other change-makers. Recent reports have been highlighted by Bloomberg News, MSNBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post and dozens of other national and local media outlets.

Education and Outreach

Each year, the Institute offers presentations and leads workshops and other outreach events across the South and country on key issues and trends in the South. In recent years, the Institute has presented at events for the AFL-CIO, Amnesty International, Council on Foundations, the Democracy Alliance, the Democracy Initiative, the Florida Philanthropic Network, the Ford Foundation , Funders Committee for Civic Participation, Funders for LGBTQ Issues, Grantmakers Concerned about Immigrants and Refugees, Justice at Stake, People For the American Way, the Piper Fund, Resource Generation and others. 

To learn about the Institute's upcoming public events, please follow the Facebook page for Facing South, the Institute's online magazine.

The Institute for Southern Studies was incorporated in Atlanta in 1970 and moved its headquarters to Durham, North Carolina, in the 1970s. The Institute focuses its research and media coverage on 13 Southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The Institute is a 501c3 nonprofit public charity. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowable by law. Please consider supporting the Institute by making a donation or becoming a Sustainer today. Checks can be mailed to the Institute for Southern Studies at PO Box 531, Durham, NC 27702. The Institute can be reached by phone at 919-419-8311. 

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