Southern is a unique organization that combines the vision, passion, and creativity of non-profit organizations with the stability and permanence of America’s largest and most profitable rural development bank.

missionSouthern’s family of companies includes traditional community banks and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. The banking organizations are long-term members of their respective communities with the ability to influence both public and private policy initiatives and create local, state, and national support for Southern’s community development work.

Because of this unique public-private partnership, Southern is able to access both the grassroots individuals most affected by regional change as well as the community leadership base of professional, civic, and governmental institutions that traditional non-profit organizations are unable to reach. Southern’s goal is to organize all of the above in a manner that promotes action and stimulates fundamental community change.