Circle announces the establishment of a foundation, with the first phase aimed at enhancing the financial resilience of small businesses in the United States.

According to ChainCatcher, Circle has announced the establishment of the Circle Foundation, a new philanthropic initiative dedicated to promoting financial resilience and inclusion in the United States and globally. The Circle Foundation is launched through Circle’s “Pledge 1%” equity commitment—a global initiative that brings together thousands of companies pledging a portion of their equity and resources to charitable causes. The Circle Foundation will support groups that strengthen the financial systems people rely on daily, including organizations supporting small businesses in U.S. communities and international organizations dedicated to modernizing humanitarian aid infrastructure. In its initial phase, the Circle Foundation will focus on enhancing the financial resilience of small businesses in the U.S. Small businesses employ nearly half of the U.S. private sector workforce and drive over 40% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), yet many still face challenges in accessing affordable financing, digital tools, and the capital needed for growth.

Through grantmaking, the Circle Foundation will partner with mission-driven lending institutions known as Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), which fill critical gaps left by traditional finance. The foundation will prioritize supporting results-oriented, technologically advanced CDFIs—institutions that share best practices and data-driven insights within their networks, thereby expanding the reach and impact of every dollar of support.