They had no original purpose other than to create a political platform for Julian Bond.
The SPLC was founded in 1971 - after all the milestones of the Civil Rights movement were historical facts. They were basically a liberal think tank in the beginning.
They didn't file their first anti-Klan lawsuit until 1979 when Dees and Levin realized how much money there was to be made in tort law.
I assumed they had been active when "active" was dangerous - that usually elicits some respect on my part - but '71? That's a joke. Thanks for clearing this up. (In the 60's Bond did his part - I'll give him that...)