We use a proven model to Empower Community.

South City Foundation utilizes the Purpose Built Communities® model, driven by the voices and vision of neighborhood residents. As the local Community Quarterback Organization, we work alongside residents and public and private partners to shape a shared plan for South City and bring that vision to life.

Mixed-Income Housing

Giving legacy residents more choices for where to live while attracting new people to the neighborhood is the cornerstone of our model. Community Quarterback Organizations implement mixed-income housing strategies that offer home ownership and high-quality rentals for people and families across a broad range of incomes. The relationships and connections that bloom across socioeconomic levels provide a springboard to success for all residents.

Cradle-to-College Education

Great schools anchor thriving neighborhoods. Their ability to uplift culture and community, amplify opportunity for residents, and bring long-term economic value makes them essential to the fabric of a neighborhood. Working with residents, community partners, school systems, and other educational organizations, Community Quarterback Organizations help build a high-quality education pipeline, starting in infancy and continuing to high school graduation, college, and beyond.

Community Wellbeing

Healthy neighborhoods provide the conditions that every person needs to thrive. They are places where residents can breathe clean air, enjoy nature, and feel a deep sense of connection and belonging. Community Quarterback Organizations work with a broad set of partners to build facilities, outdoor spaces, and programming that promote community wellbeing. Food deserts are filled, culture and community flourish, and environmental needs are met and sustained.

Economic Vitality

To maintain great housing, excellent schools, and improved wellbeing, there must be commercial activity and investments that directly benefit residents. Community Quarterback Organizations work to create local access to high-quality goods, services, and retail that meet the needs of the community. In addition, they help residents tap into employment and business ownership opportunities—making it possible for individuals to unlock their full economic potential.

We create culturally rich, generationally inclusive, and economically diverse neighborhoods for children and families where:

  • Social connections across socioeconomic demographics are commonplace.
  • Legacy residents feel valued and are part of the fabric of the growing community with newer residents.
  • The built environment and investments in physical infrastructure support the ability of the community to thrive.
  • All residents feel welcomed, valued, and integral to the composition of their neighborhood.
Community Quarterback

The Community Quarterback Organization effectively executes this model, collaborating with neighborhood residents and partners to seamlessly integrate all the vital components contributing to neighborhood prosperity and growth.

Neighborhood Leadership

We work closely with residents and small business owners, serving as an equity champion and advocate. We have many partners to help us get there, including the City of Tallahassee, Community Foundation of North Florida, Envision Credit Union, Florida Blue, Leon County Schools, Tallahassee Housing Authority, Tallahassee Lenders Consortium, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, South City Builders, South City Neighborhood Association, and Whole Child Leon.

Most importantly, we are developing a Neighborhood Leadership Council, comprised of 15 Southside neighborhood associations located within 1.5 miles from South City, to ensure our progress is resident-owned and community-driven.

Mixed-Income Housing

The South City Foundation has worked in partnership with the Tallahassee Housing Authority and Columbia Residential to redevelop the Orange Avenue Apartments, a central housing development in the heart of South City. This investment has created opportunities for high-quality, mixed-income housing where all residents can thrive, and continues to serve as a catalyst for private development throughout the Southside.

Cradle-to-Career Education

The South City Foundation is establishing a seamless cradle-to-career education pipeline that ensures student growth, learning, and achievement at every level. This includes strategic partnerships with Hartsfield Elementary, Fairview Middle and Rickards High School – as well as early education (South City Early Learning Center) and trade educational opportunities. Our work would not be possible without the strong support from Leon County Schools and Whole Child Leon.

Community Wellness

The South City Foundation is facilitating on-going dialogue with all Southside health stakeholders to introduce community wellness programs, complete a community health assessment, and improve the infrastructure within South City to promote healthy living and productive lives. Our goal is to improve access to preventative health care and create neighborhoods where our families feel safe.

Our initiatives are opening doorways to growth.

South City Foundation