Square Roots Community Initiative

A Sustainable Model for Community Thriving

Square Roots was created as a sustainable model for community improvement in which for-profit initiatives like The Creamery are owned by a non-profit called Square Roots Community Initiative (SRCI).

SRCI is a 501(c)(4) also known as a “social welfare organization.” Its sole purpose is community benefit, and 100% of its profits are recycled into community improvements. So, when a guest buys a beer at The Creamery, they are helping to fund the development of a trail through Kennett Trails Alliance. When they book a room at Artelo, they are helping to house a family through Family Promise of Southern Chester County, or support social services provided by other non-profits who receive grants from SCRI, like Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, Lincoln University, or the United Way of Southern Chester County.

By the Numbers

Since 2022, SRCI has made $545,000 in grants to local organizations, including:

  • The Borough of Kennett Square

  • Kennett Township

  • Anson B. Nixon Park

  • United Way of Southern Chester County

  • Family Promise of Southern Chester County

  • Kennett Trails Alliance

  • Voices Underground

  • Brandywine Red Clay Alliance

  • Lincoln University Foundation

  • Casa Guanajuato

  • Good Samaritan Services

  • Kennett Collaborative

Other Community Benefits

Square Roots initiatives like The Creamery and Artelo are platforms for the life of the community.

But the grants are only part of the story.  SRCI owns numerous properties on Birch St. in Kennett Borough and is working to bring these properties to life as hospitality venues.  The goal is the same: Create an even stronger engine to benefit the community. And even more than these financial contributions are the positive change that these initiatives are driving. The Creamery and Artelo are focused on bringing an array of benefits to the community, both directly and in partnerships with local organizations.

  • Inclusive community events (e.g., Juneteenth, Three Kings Day)

  • Seasonal activities (e.g., Holiday Village Market, Winterlude)

  • Community life & neighborly connection (e.g., Kennett High School Senior Dinner Dance & Prom Pictures)

  • Fundraising events for local non-profits (e.g., Family Promise, United Way)

  • Jobs with benefits

  • Artistic & horticultural expression

Do you have more questions about SRCI?
Learn more below.

  1. Do the Creamery and Artelo really give 100% of their profits to community initiatives?
    Yes. These entities are wholly owned by SRCI. SRCI does not have any beneficial owners, but rather, has a board of directors tasked with stewarding and advancing SRCI’s community thriving mission.

  2. Who is on SRCI’s board of directors?

    The board of directors is: Stephanie Almanza, Luke Zubrod, Josh Yates. Stephanie and Luke are part of the leadership team at Square Roots and live locally. Josh is an expert in community development. He lives in Nashville, where he serves as Executive Director of Belmont Innovation Labs and is CEO of Thriving Cities Group. While some members of the board are employed by Square Roots Collective, SRCI board members serve the board on a volunteer basis. 

  3. How does SRCI choose its grant recipients?
    Square Roots’ theory of community thriving centers on the power of collaboration to address the systemic challenges facing communities. As a result, SRCI is focused on organizations that are actively partnering to advance a shared vision of community benefit. At this time, we do not have a formal grant application process.

  4. Does SRCI contribute to non-profit capital campaigns?
    Square Roots is very thankful for the great work being done by non-profits. Community thriving simply wouldn’t be possible without the direct services they provide to meet the needs of the community. Square Roots is proud to work beside community non-profits and to look for opportunities to multiply each other’s efforts, but we generally do not participate directly in non-profit capital campaigns.

  5. Do SRCI grants represent the totality of ways that Square Roots Collective contributes to the community’s wellbeing?

    No. SRCI is one of several entities that comprise the collective that also includes other charitable vehicles, including The White Horse Group Foundation. These charitable vehicles provide much of the funding for non-profit entities (e.g., Kennett Trails Alliance, Voices Underground), community programs and numerous early stage initiatives intended to enrich community life in our region.

Have more questions? Please reach out to Luke Zubrod at lzubrod@ksqroots.com.