Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories.
Our Mission
SCORE’s mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education.
Our Vision
We aim to give every person the support they need to thrive as a small business owner.
SCORE: United by Purpose. Powered by People.
SCORE's Values Show Us How to Serve
At our core, we believe that lasting impact starts with strong principles. These values guide our decisions, shape our culture, and define how we show up—for each other and for those we serve.
- Champion the American Dream - Small business is the heart of self-determination and the lifeblood of economic prosperity, and we are committed to its success.
- Serve with Integrity & Compassion - Every interaction is important. We tell the truth with compassion and serve with sincerity and respect.
- Empower Through Mentorship & Education - Our world-class volunteers contribute their experience and knowledge to guide entrepreneurs. We meet our clients where they are and support their success.
- Embrace Innovation & Excellence - We are dedicated to continuous improvement and lifelong learning, embracing innovation while upholding timeless fundamentals.
- Build Community & Collaboration - We work as ONE SCORE and with partners to strengthen the small business ecosystem.
- Foster Community & Shared Success - We believe in the value of the individual and the power of shared success. By supporting all small business dreams, we help build thriving communities where knowledge, respect, and opportunity grow together.
SCORE positively impacts communities, local businesses and the national economy by providing free, expert mentoring and educational resources to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Learn more about SCORE's impact and download the 2024 SCORE National Impact Report.
59,447
New businesses launched in 2024
84,176
Non-owner jobs created in 2024
143,623
Total jobs created in 2024
More about this impact analysis and SCORE's commitment to our clients’ success:
SCORE engaged a third-party firm (PricewaterhouseCoopers) to research the economic impact that SCORE’s mentoring and education had on the U.S. economy in 2024. This census survey invited 208,738 SCORE clients to participate and 14,099 responses were received.
To calculate total business starts and non-owner jobs created, SCORE applied straight-line extrapolation based on the number of respondents who reported using SCORE services. This methodology follows industry-accepted standards.
All respondents were asked, "Did you start or acquire a new business this past year?". Previously, this question was limited to those who answered "No" to "As of October 1, 2022, were you in business?". The prior approach may have undercounted new business starts or acquisitions by excluding existing business owners who started or acquired a new business. By including all respondents, this revision provides a more accurate count but may result in higher figures compared to previous years, impacting year-over-year comparisons. SCORE is continually reviewing its survey structure and methodology to ensure alignment with industry standards and to better capture its economic impact.
For a more complete description of our current methodology, please click here.
SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Thanks to this generous support from the SBA and the selfless contributions of our more than 10,000 dedicated volunteers, we can deliver most of our offerings at no cost.
The SCORE Association thanks the generous individuals and organizations that have helped small business entrepreneurs across the country with their support.
Are you passionate about providing support, education and mentorship programs for small business owners and entrepreneurs? Consider joining our team at SCORE.
