The 24 Squared Grant Program, a collaborative initiative between Square Financial Services, Inc. (SFS) and the Community Foundation of Utah (CFU), aims to support and highlight qualifying Utah-area nonprofit organizations dedicated to innovative and impactful community development activities. While the specific mission of the Community Foundation of Utah is not detailed, the grant program's focus on community development, particularly in areas like affordable housing, small business development, reentry support, and financial capability, aligns with common philanthropic goals of fostering a thriving and equitable community.
The program targets public organizations with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status and a physical office in Utah, who do not discriminate and are actively engaged in one of the specified community development activities. The ultimate beneficiaries are the Utah communities that will experience the positive effects of these development activities, including individuals seeking affordable housing, aspiring small business owners, those needing reentry support, and individuals working to improve their financial well-being. The impact goal is to strengthen the Utah community through the work of these nonprofits.
The program prioritizes several key areas within community development: affordable housing, small business development, reentry support and entrepreneurship, and financial capability and wellness. Beyond these general categories, the grant also seeks to recognize organizations demonstrating "Best in Show" for highest scores, "Diamond in the Rough" for potential and exceptional work, and "Small Business Excellence" for impressive support of Utah-based small businesses, indicating a focus on both broad impact and specific areas of excellence.
Expected outcomes include enhanced community well-being and a stronger nonprofit sector in Utah. Measurable results will likely be derived from the "Quality and strength of the applying organization to achieve goals," "Innovativeness and effectiveness of the application, project and/or organization," and "Potential impact on the Utah community." While the "Foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" for CFU are not explicitly stated, the selection criteria emphasize alignment with "Square Financial Services’ core values and organizational pillars," suggesting a focus on measurable impact and effective organizational capacity to drive positive change within the community development framework.
