Circle Foundation Launches Pledge 1% Initiative to Strengthen US Small Businesses and Global Financial Infrastructure

Circle announces the formation of the Circle Foundation, a charitable initiative anchored to the company’s Pledge 1% equity commitment. The Foundation will fund organizations that bolster financial resilience and financial inclusion, with an initial emphasis on U.S. small businesses and international humanitarian‑aid modernization. Through grantmaking, it will partner with CDFIs—lenders filling gaps left by traditional finance—to broaden access to capital and digital tools. The effort centers on scalable, data‑driven models delivered by technologically advanced partners to maximize impact.

In its early phase, the Foundation will concentrate on strengthening the financial foundations of small businesses in the United States, which support nearly half of the private‑sector workforce and contribute over 40% of GDP. By collaborating with mission‑driven CDFIs, Circle aims to expand funding reach, improve capital readiness, and scale inclusive financial services. The partnership seeks transparent measurement and scalable solutions that advance financial resilience for local communities and the broader humanitarian‑finance ecosystem.