Mastercard Deepens Roots to Support Small Businesses in Changing Times

Mastercard Strive USA program expands reach and strengthens partner network to help entrepreneurs weather economic shifts.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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In 2025, Mastercard's Strive USA program focused on reinforcing partner resilience and tightening the connective tissue of its network to help small businesses navigate economic changes. The program reached over 2 million small businesses, unlocked nearly $48 billion in capital, and engaged with 920 partners by the end of the year, reflecting a more intentional pattern of growth. Key initiatives included launching a collaboration fund, hosting a grantee convening, and sharing insights on essential shifts for long-term entrepreneurial success.

Why it matters

The Mastercard Strive USA program is playing a critical role in supporting small businesses, which have faced significant pressures and changes in the past year due to shifts in economic policy, funding, and market dynamics. By deepening its network, strengthening partner resilience, and providing practical tools, the program is helping small businesses and the organizations that support them weather the storm and turn challenges into opportunities.

The details

In 2025, Mastercard Strive USA focused on reinforcing partner resilience and tightening the connective tissue of its network to help small businesses navigate economic changes. The program reached over 2 million small businesses, unlocked nearly $48 billion in capital, and engaged with 920 partners by the end of the year, reflecting a more intentional pattern of growth. Key initiatives included launching a low-barrier collaboration fund to spark new relationships and accelerate promising ideas, hosting a grantee convening in Detroit to facilitate candid conversations and strategic foresight, and sharing insights on six key shifts essential for long-term entrepreneurial success.

  • Mastercard Strive USA launched in 2023.
  • In 2025, the program reached over 2 million small businesses and unlocked nearly $48 billion in capital by the end of the year.

The players

Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

The organization that launched the Mastercard Strive USA program in 2023 with the goal of reimagining how the ecosystem equips and supports small businesses.

Community Reinvestment Fund, USA

A long-standing partner of Mastercard Strive USA that has helped drive national reach for the program.

Accion Opportunity Fund

Another long-standing partner of Mastercard Strive USA that has contributed to the program's national impact.

Heartland Forward

A new partner that has helped open channels into regions and sectors where demand for trusted small business support has accelerated.

Scale Link

A new partner that has also helped expand the reach of the Mastercard Strive USA program.

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What they’re saying

“Through a partnership with Radiant Data, they developed and deployed a new credit model to help staff better evaluate borderline cases, which helped drive historical levels of lending for the organization in 2025.”

— Accessity, One of the first innovation fund winners of the Mastercard Strive USA program

“Over $1.5 billion has now flowed through CRF Exchange, demonstrating how the tool can be used at significant volume.”

— Community Reinvestment Fund, USA

What’s next

Change and adaptability will remain key for small businesses in 2026, and Mastercard Strive USA is committed to continuing to strengthen its partner network and provide practical tools to help entrepreneurs weather the shifts ahead.

The takeaway

By deepening its network, strengthening partner resilience, and providing practical tools, the Mastercard Strive USA program is playing a critical role in supporting small businesses as they navigate significant economic changes and turn challenges into opportunities.