Our Impact

For over 50 years, MDC has catalyzed and accelerated equitable change in the South.

See What’s Next for MDC

For over 50 years, MDC has catalyzed and accelerated equitable change in the South.

The Latest

Article

FEATURED

One Year Later: How H.R. 1 Is Reshaping the South

One year after H.R. 1 became law, new analysis from MDC’s State of the South examines how implementation is unfolding across the region and what it means for families, communities, and regional prosperity. On July 4, 2025, H.R. 1 was signed into law, bringing sweeping changes to health care, higher education, nutrition assistance, immigration enforcement,...

The South

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Jan 10, 2026

Article

Voting Rights in the South Featured in Mississippi Free Press

equity

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Jun 05, 2026

Article

New Brief Highlights the Essential Role of Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care

Economic Security & Mobility

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Jul 29, 2026

Article

From Compliance to Protection: People-Powered Policy and Narrative Change

The South

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Apr 16, 2026

MDC in 2025

In 2025, MDC continued working toward a South where all people thrive, despite sweeping policy changes, economic uncertainty, and deepened inequities across the region.

 

Throughout the year, we strengthened capacity, fostered collaboration, and built influence to advance equity and opportunity across the South. We also welcomed Lakeisha Hood Moise as MDC’s fourth President and CEO, marking an important leadership transition rooted in continuity and purpose.

 

The 2025 Impact Report highlights how MDC:

  • Advanced economic security and mobility, including advocacy for fair tax systems and student debt relief
  • Strengthened educational equity, including policy wins for home-based child care providers
  • Expanded equity-centered leadership and philanthropy across the South
  • Amplified rural voices and pushed for a #JustRecovery in disaster-impacted communities
  • Released the 2025 State of the South® Report, blending data, art, and storytelling to shape new Southern narratives

 

This report reflects our continued commitment to building systems rooted in Meaning, Dignity, and Community and to standing in the gap between policy and people until that gap closes.

 

Read the full 2025 Impact Report

 

Previous MDC Impact Reports

 

Explore how MDC’s work has evolved in recent years:

From Our Partners

"The convening was really inspirational and very intentional. I was amazed at how...the entire [MDC and foundation] team took our thoughts from the design team meetings and turned them into works of art, literally. Thank you for being an awesome partner in this work!"

Participant, May 2022 Convening of Z. Smith Reynolds’ Collaborative Problem-Solving Grantees

"MDC really helped navigate conflict and power dynamics in a project that involved many organizations and needed to be owned by the community."

Partner, Great Expectations

"[MDC Rural Forward staff] have been instrumental in effecting positive community change throughout our many community organizations. Their assistance has been critical and is directly attributable to the cooperation between our organizations."

Partner, Healthy Places North Carolina