Ripple has pledged $25 million in its Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin to support small businesses and veterans in the United States through partnerships with two nonprofit organizations. The donation will be split between Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) and Hire Heroes USA, marking Ripple's second $25 million philanthropic commitment in 2025 following an earlier donation to education-focused nonprofits.
Accion Opportunity Fund will use its portion to generate an estimated $125 million in lending impact through programs including the Ripple Digital Leap Forward accelerator. This initiative will provide small business owners with $500,000 in initial support along with training to help them scale and access capital. AOF CEO Luz Urrutia emphasized that the partnership "goes beyond philanthropy" and will accelerate the development of digitization and educational programs for small businesses.
Hire Heroes USA will use its allocation to support 14,000 job placements and develop new programs targeting veterans seeking careers in the fintech sector. The organization focuses on helping veterans and military families transition into civilian careers, and this funding will enhance their training programs and career transition resources.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated: "Small businesses and veterans are two of the most powerful engines of American progress, yet both face barriers that limit their full economic impact. We're delivering funding, training, and the resources required to help these communities grow, compete, and lead in the next chapter of our digital economy."
The donation will be distributed using The Giving Block's donation platform with exchange and custody support from Uphold, showcasing how stablecoins can provide faster, more transparent philanthropic funding compared to traditional methods. This approach offers clear tracking of donations and faster settlement times, serving as a model for digital asset use in nonprofit and public service delivery.