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Frequently Asked Questions about the Southern Poverty Law Center

About the SPLC

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people. Founded in 1971 to ensure that the promise of the Civil Rights Movement became a reality for all, we continue to engage in both legal and community-based efforts to topple institutional racism and stamp out remnants of Jim Crow segregation; unmask and defeat some of the nationā€™s most violent white supremacist groups; and protect the civil rights of communities of color, children, women, the disabled, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, prisoners and many others who face discrimination, abuse or exploitation. 

Where does the SPLC operate?

The SPLC works across the Deep South, focusing on five priority states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, many of which have played historic roles in the Civil Rights Movement and continue to be important battlegrounds for racial justice. We are headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, and have offices in Miami, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; and Washington, D.C. This network of offices enables us to create people-centered programmatic work, while also developing broader strategies to tackle systemic challenges from a regional perspective and at the highest level of government. 

What issues does the SPLC work on?

The SPLCā€™s work is rooted in community in the Deep South ā€” driven by our steadfast commitment to racial justice in these core areas:

What is the SPLC known for?

The SPLC strives to force white supremacy out of the mainstream, reduce its impact on our democracy, and end racist violence against Black and Brown communities. This involves educating the public about the effects of white supremacy on the lives of Black and Brown people, particularly in the South, and partnering with communities to combat extremist ideologies. 

Through our Intelligence Project, we monitor the activities of domestic hate groups and antigovernment hard-right extremists ā€” including the Ku Klux Klan, white nationalists, the neo-Nazi movement, antigovernment militias, anti-LGBTQ+ groups and others. We have tracked more than 1,500 hard-right extremist groups operating across the country. In addition to our annual Year in Hate and Extremism report, we publish our Hate Map, pinpointing where groups are operating; our Extremist Files, profiling hate groups; and other investigative reports. We also provide expert analysis to lawmakers, the media and the public.

How does the SPLC counter hate and promote justice in communities?

The political backlash to progress in the movement for racial justice and equity in the United States has led to anti-inclusive laws and curriculums, incubated in the South and spread to multiple states. To counter these attempts to minimize the learning of accurate and inclusive history, the SPLCā€™s community education program, Learning for Justice, cultivates and nurtures dialogue, reflection and action from those closest to and harmed most by injustices in the South. Through Learning for Justice, we provide resources to teach individuals about honest history and about servant leadership as a pathway into the movement for racial and social justice. We also focus on broader learning, teaching communities how to advocate for justice through information sharing, critical consciousness raising, civic participation and strategic calls to action.

A project of the SPLC, the Civil Rights Memorial Center (CRMC), located in Montgomery, Alabama, also serves as the interpretive center for the Civil Rights Memorial, which honors the martyrs of the movement and inspires visitors to continue the march for racial equity and social justice.

What cases does the SPLC take?

The SPLC has a rich history of litigating important civil rights cases. Currently, our litigation is focused on several major areas: voting rights, childrenā€™s rights, economic justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and other civil rights issues. We have also filed amicus ā€œfriend-of-the-courtā€ briefs to support litigation from other organizations that do similar work.

What is the difference between the SPLC and SPLC Action Fund?

The Southern Poverty Law Center is a tax-exempt, charitable organization incorporated in 1971 under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we do not participate in political campaigns on behalf of candidates for elective public office.

SPLC Action Fund is the 501(c)(4) affiliate organization to the SPLC. SPLC Action Fundā€™s policy experts fight legislative battles at every level of government ā€” and through ballot initiatives ā€” to advance inclusive legislation and defend against harmful policies. SPLC Action Fund also makes endorsements in select races throughout the Southeast, supporting candidates who are committed to addressing the long-standing inequities that plague the Deep South and the nation.

How do I contact the SPLC?

Press is welcome to submit an inquiry form.