Square has announced the launch of its Cornerstone Grant Program, a new pilot initiative that will award $10,000 grants to selected small businesses across the United States. The program is designed not only to provide growth capital but also to pair recipients with expert guidance and resources to help them use the funding effectively.
Each grant recipient will receive a $10,000 deposit into their Square Checking account, along with 12 months of support. This includes one-on-one mentorship from a certified Top 200 Forbes public accountant, financial therapy sessions with a board-certified therapist, technical assistance from the Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council, and access to nonprofit resources and networking opportunities.
The initiative builds on Square’s lending track record — the company has provided more than $22 billion in loans to small businesses. In 2024 alone, over half of Square Loans were disbursed in states with the lowest loan approval rates. Square also reports that 57% of its loan recipients are women-owned businesses, 34% are minority-owned, and 15% are Black-owned — far exceeding the reach of many traditional lenders.
“Access to fair financing is one of the top challenges entrepreneurs face,” said Adam Turnbull, Head of Banking at Square. “Through these grants, we’re combining right-sized capital with expert guidance, giving sellers a blueprint for sustainable growth that will help their business and communities thrive.”
Applications for the Cornerstone Grant Program are now open, with recipients expected to be announced in November 2025.