Southern Echo - Events, House Parties, & Base Building

Founded in 1989, Southern Echo has established itself as a vital grassroots organization in Jackson, Mississippi, dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through community organizing, expanding democracy, public education, and health equity initiatives. Southern Echo focuses on improving the quality of life for low-wealth and marginalized people in Mississippi and the Southern Region of the United States.

Overview

With support from Progressive Multiplier, Southern Echo developed a multifaceted individual giving program to generate independent revenue while advancing their mission. By designing a three-pronged approach that included community events, board-led fundraising, and digital outreach, Southern Echo built a foundation for financial independence while strengthening their movement-building capacity. The project initiated a shift in their approach to fundraising and created pathways for deeper community engagement.

Key Strategies & Tactics

Southern Echo's individual giving initiative consisted of three integrated components designed to diversify revenue while engaging different segments of their supporter base:

Board-Led Fundraising: Engaging board members to make personal solicitations to their networks with specific fundraising targets for each member

Community Event Fundraising: Collecting contact information and donations at community events where Southern Echo provides direct services

Digital Engagement: Building an email list and implementing digital solicitation strategies to convert contacts into donors

Lessons Learned

By The Numbers

Impact

Through this initiative, Southern Echo has begun a critical transition from foundation dependency to a more sustainable funding model. Their work demonstrates how grassroots social justice organizations can develop revenue streams that align with and enhance their core mission. The organization's deep community connections across Mississippi provided a strong foundation for this shift, allowing them to leverage existing relationships while building new ones.

The project's success in engaging board members in fundraising represents a significant cultural shift for the organization. By setting specific targets and providing appropriate support, Southern Echo empowered their leadership to take an active role in ensuring the organization's financial sustainability. This approach not only generated immediate revenue but also built internal capacity for future fundraising efforts.

While the initiative faced implementation challenges, including the medical leave of their Executive Director, it successfully established important foundations for future growth. Southern Echo's experience highlights the resilience required for grassroots organizations to adapt their funding models while staying true to their mission of community empowerment.