NCRP Director of Research Ryan Schlegel says misunderstandings seem to be central to hesitation about investing in the South. Self-described “progressive” non-Southern funders assume their investment won’t make a difference because of the deeply entrenched opposition, he says, while Southern foundations, especially those in areas of deeply entrenched poverty, place more priority on addressing immediate needs and are uneasy about funding structural change efforts, like community organizing or litigation, that challenge the status quo.