What Square Roots Collective does

Square Roots Collective is a 501(c)(4) non-profit social impact venture headquartered in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, founded in 2019 by Mike Bontrager, who previously founded Chatham Financial. The organization operates as a holding structure over a portfolio of for-profit hospitality and real estate businesses and several associated 501(c)(3) non-profit initiatives, all focused on Southern Chester County. For-profit operating businesses include The Creamery (a community center, beer garden, and arts hub at 455 Birch Street), Artelo (a 14-room artistic hotel with murals by regional artists opened in 2024), The Francis Hotel & Suites (a boutique hotel in a restored downtown home), a Housing Portfolio of market-rate and subsidized residential properties representing approximately 2% of Kennett Square borough housing stock, and Commercial Properties used as gathering spaces. Upcoming venues Opus (restaurant and cocktail bar) and Star & Lantern (speakeasy celebrating African-American heritage) are in development.

The organization's defining mechanism is its profit-redistribution architecture: 100% of after-tax profits from the for-profit businesses flow to the Square Roots Community Initiative (SRCI), which has deployed over $545,000 in grants to local non-profits since 2022, including $208,000 in 2025 to recipients such as Family Promise of Southern Chester County, Voices Underground, Friends of Anson B. Nixon Park, and PowerCorpsPHL. Incubated non-profit initiatives include Kennett Trails Alliance (building a regional trail network including the Kennett Greenway connecting 14+ miles of trails and 1,000+ acres of open space), Voices Underground (a 501(c)(3) memorializing African-American Underground Railroad history), and Kennett Decides (a participatory-budgeting initiative launched in July 2025 with Chatham Financial co-funding and Civic Trust technology infrastructure).

The go-to-market model is community-led and event-driven: programming at The Creamery (Hispanic Heritage Festival After Party, Juneteenth, Three Kings Day, Holiday Village Market with 130+ artisans) drives foot traffic and recurring engagement. The team comprises approximately 30 named staff members including a CFO, Hospitality Director, Construction & Property Management Director, and dedicated brand, marketing, and communications functions. Founder Mike Bontrager has been reported to be managing an ALS diagnosis, with family members and former Chatham Financial employees recruited to support succession planning.

Name

Square Roots Collective

Legal name

Square Roots Collective

Website

https://ksqroots.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Square Roots Collective is a 501(c)(4) social impact venture in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania that operates for-profit hospitality venues (The Creamery, Artelo, The Francis Hotel) and real estate, donating 100% of after-tax profits to community non-profits through its Square Roots Community Initiative (SRCI) grantmaking arm.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospitality and Community Development

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Real Estate Dealers (For Their Own Account) (6532), Investors, Nec (6799), Non-Operating Establishments (9995)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking) (BPAGAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Community Arts, Culture & Creative Placemaking Enterprises (BPAGALAO), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Hospitality services
• Community development
• Social impact venture
• Boutique hotels
• Residential housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Kennett Square

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. The Creamery: Community center, beer garden, and arts hub generating revenue through food, beverages, and event rentals. All profits after taxes are donated to Square Roots Community Initiative (SRCI).
2. Artelo Hotel: 14-room artistic hotel with immersive murals. Revenue from room rentals. All profits after taxes support community non-profits.
3. The Francis Hotel & Suites: Boutique hotel in a restored downtown home offering short and extended stay accommodations.
4. Housing Portfolio: Market-rate and subsidized residential properties generating rental income.
5. Commercial Properties: Development projects serving as gathering spaces for hospitality and community connection.
6. SRCI Grants Program: Philanthropic arm that donates 100% of profits from for-profit businesses to local non-profits and community organizations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Square Roots Collective is a 501(c)(4) social impact venture that builds, operates, and invests in local hospitality businesses and real estate in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Its for-profit businesses include The Creamery (community center, beer garden, arts hub), Artelo (14-room artistic hotel), The Francis Hotel & Suites (boutique hotel), and a residential/commercial property portfolio. All profits after taxes are donated to the Square Roots Community Initiative (SRCI), which redistributes 100% of funds to community non-profits and initiatives in Southern Chester County.

Product overview

Square Roots Collective is a social impact venture organized as a 501(c)(4) non-profit that operates a portfolio of hospitality businesses and non-profit initiatives in Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The core business model involves building and operating local for-profit enterprises (The Creamery, Artelo, The Francis Hotel & Suites, Housing Portfolio, Commercial Properties, and upcoming venues Opus and Star & Lantern) that generate profits which are then donated to the Square Roots Community Initiative (SRCI), a 501(c)(4) that redistributes 100% of funds to community non-profits and initiatives. The non-profit initiatives include Kennett Trails Alliance (trail network development), Voices Underground (Underground Railroad history memorialization), Kennett Decides (participatory budgeting), Youth Leadership Program, and Inclusive Community Programs. This integrated model creates a sustainable cycle where hospitality businesses fund systemic community change initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Creamery: A repurposed century-old building turned community center, beer garden, and arts hub to generate economic opportunity for residents and contribute to social impact work.
• Artelo
• The Francis Hotel & Suites
• Opus
• Star & Lantern
• Kennett Decides

Products and services

• The Creamery A repurposed century-old building functioning as a community center, beer garden, and arts hub that generates economic opportunity for residents. Serves food and beverages, hosts festivals, live music, public events, and the Holiday Village Market. All profits after taxes are donated to SRCI.
• Artelo A 14-room local motel transformed into an artistic hotel with immersive murals painted by regional artists to celebrate creativity. Generates room rental revenue that supports community non-profits via SRCI.
• The Francis Hotel & Suites A boutique stay in a restored downtown home offering short and extended getaways. Provides accommodation revenue that contributes to SRCI's community grant pool.
• Housing Portfolio A portfolio of residential properties comprising market-rate rentals and subsidized housing units serving local housing needs. Includes step-up housing with financial coaching for Family Promise graduates. Approximately 2% of Kennett Square borough's housing stock.
• Commercial Properties A portfolio of commercial real estate development projects that serve as gathering spaces for hospitality venues and community connection in Southern Chester County.
• Opus A forthcoming restaurant venue featuring outdoor seating, a cocktail bar, and inventive cuisine, designed to welcome guests and complement arts programming in Kennett Square.
• Star & Lantern A forthcoming speakeasy venue that celebrates African-American stories through food and drink offerings in Kennett Square.

Quantifiable outcome

• $545,000+ in grants to local organizations since 2022
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chatham FinancialcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2025Co-founded by Square Roots Collective founder Mike Bontrager, Chatham Financial is a key partner in the Kennett Decides initiative, jointly funding the participatory budgeting program with Square Roots Collective. The partnership leverages Bontrager's deep ties to both organizations.
• Kennett CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2025Community partner in the Kennett Decides initiative, working together to place future community investment directly into the hands of area residents.
• Kennett BoroughcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2025Municipal partner in Kennett Decides initiative and various community projects including Birch Street restoration and police station grant.
• Civic TrustcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 July 2025Nationwide participatory budgeting company founded in 2019 by Matt Harder that provides technology infrastructure, communications, and process methodology for Kennett Decides. Previously helped develop community projects in Denver and Atlanta.
• Casa GuanajuatominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2025Community partner in the Kennett Decides initiative representing the local Hispanic community.
• Kennett Trails AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2025501(c)(3) non-profit that Square Roots Collective has incubated and supports. KTA is building a regional trail network including the Kennett Greenway. SRC partnered with KTA on Birch Street project and Art on the Greenway initiative.
• Voices UndergroundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) non-profit incubated by Square Roots Collective that researches, tells, and memorializes African American stories of the Underground Railroad in Chester County in service of racial healing.
• Family Promise of Southern Chester CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSRCI grant recipient providing housing for local families experiencing homelessness. SRC also provides step-up housing support through its housing initiative for Family Promise graduates.
• Kennett DecidescoreOthersParticipatory budgeting initiative that places future community investment directly into the hands of area residents, jointly funded by SRC and Chatham Financial with support from Civic Trust.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• East Lake Foundation: Atlanta-based non-profit that combines real estate redevelopment, mixed-income housing, and community programming to drive systemic neighborhood change. Comparable place-based model combining housing, hospitality-adjacent venues, and cradle-to-career initiatives.
• Rebuild Foundation: Non-profit founded by Theaster Gates that transforms abandoned buildings into cultural and community hubs on Chicago's South Side. Operates a similar real estate redevelopment + arts programming + community empowerment model to SRC's Creamery and Artelo projects.
• Newman's Own: Food and beverage company that donates 100% of profits to charity through the Newman's Own Foundation. Square Roots Collective mirrors this 100%-profits-to-charity model but applied to a place-based hospitality and real estate portfolio in Kennett Square.
• Bonterra (Fetzer Vineyards): Wine business owned by Fetzer family that has historically donated profits to environmental and community causes. Comparable social enterprise model where operating business profits sustain philanthropic mission.
• Patagonia (Holdfast Collective): Outdoor apparel company that transferred ownership to Holdfast Collective to direct profits to environmental causes. Comparable to Square Roots Collective's structure of channeling business profits into mission-driven outcomes.
• Greyston Bakery: Yonkers-based bakery with an open hiring model that employs individuals facing barriers to work. Comparable social enterprise using a hospitality-adjacent business operation to drive community impact outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• Purpose Built Communities: National non-profit supporting neighborhood revitalization through mixed-income housing, cradle-to-career education, and community wellness. Comparable focus on place-based community development, though operating as a network rather than a single integrated operator.
• TOMS: Footwear and lifestyle brand with a one-for-one giving model that has evolved into broader community grantmaking. Comparable business-embedded philanthropy approach, though at national scale rather than hyper-local.
• Ben & Jerry's Foundation: Foundation funded by Ben & Jerry's ice cream profits that grants to grassroots community organizations focused on social and environmental justice. Closely mirrors the SRC-SRCI structure of business profits funding a separate grantmaking vehicle.

Regional players

• Impact Hub: Global network of community hubs that combine coworking, programming, and social innovation support. Comparable concept of physical community gathering spaces designed to catalyze social impact, though operating internationally rather than in a single small town.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/square-roots-collective

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Square Roots Collective