Cornerstone Capital provides portfolio management for individuals and small businesses and portfolio management for institutions.
Cornerstone Capital reports 150 clients. They include 99 high-net-worth individuals, 26 individual clients and 16 charitable organizations. Of its assets, 100.0% ($1.36B across 275 accounts) are managed with discretion.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 17% | 1% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 66% | 63% |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | 5% | 3% |
| Charitable organizations | 11% | 12% |
| Corporations and other businesses | 1% | 22% |
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 26 | $13.7M | 1.0% | $528K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 99 | $850M | 62.6% | $8.59M |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | 7 | $38M | 2.8% | $5.43M |
| Charitable organizations | 16 | $163M | 12.0% | $10.2M |
| Corporations and other businesses | Fewer than 5 | $293M | 21.6% | $147M |
| Total | 150 | $1.36B | 100% | — |
- Clients
- 26
- Regulatory AUM
- $13.7M
- AUM share
- 1.0%
- Avg. per client
- $528K
- Clients
- 99
- Regulatory AUM
- $850M
- AUM share
- 62.6%
- Avg. per client
- $8.59M
- Clients
- 7
- Regulatory AUM
- $38M
- AUM share
- 2.8%
- Avg. per client
- $5.43M
- Clients
- 16
- Regulatory AUM
- $163M
- AUM share
- 12.0%
- Avg. per client
- $10.2M
- Clients
- Fewer than 5
- Regulatory AUM
- $293M
- AUM share
- 21.6%
- Avg. per client
- $147M
Total
- Clients
- 150
- Regulatory AUM
- $1.36B
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- —
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 0%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 0
- Private funds advised
- 0
Cornerstone Capital charges 0.40%–1.00% a year for its Investment supervisory services. The fee is billed in arrears, is negotiable, has a $5,000 annual minimum and requires an account of at least $5,000,000.
Fee details and sources
Mark Branson owns 25% to 50% of Cornerstone Capital. The leadership team of Cornerstone Capital includes President Mark Branson and Chief Compliance Officer Brigette Guldbech. It has 5 employees, 3 of them in advisory roles.
Leadership
- Mark BransonVice President
- Bradford DinsmorePresident
- Mason FordVice President
- Brigette GuldbechChief Compliance Officer
Investment adviser representatives
3 representatives listed in the SEC register as of 9 October 2026.
- Mark Bradford Branson Brad
- Bradford Warren Dinsmore
- Mason William Ford
Staff
- 5 employees
- 3 in advisory functions
- 3 state-registered reps
- Owns 25% to 50% of Cornerstone Capital, Inc.
Mark Branson
Control person · since November 2009
- Owns 25% to 50% of Cornerstone Capital, Inc.
Bradford Dinsmore
Control person · since September 1995
- Owns 25% to 50% of Cornerstone Capital, Inc.
Mason Ford
Control person · since April 2001
Cornerstone Capital’s regulatory assets grew from $1.11B (March 2021) to $1.36B (March 2026); clients fell from 184 to 150 and employees were 5 in both filings.
Figures from each annual filing
| Filed | Regulatory AUM | Clients | Employees | Offices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | $1.36B | 150 | 5 | 1 |
| April 2025 | $1.26B | 166 | 5 | 1 |
| April 2024 | $1.29B | 165 | 6 | 1 |
| March 2023 | $1.1B | 174 | 5 | 1 |
| March 2022 | $1.26B | 168 | 5 | 1 |
| March 2021 | $1.11B | 184 | 5 | 1 |
Besides its headquarters, Cornerstone Capital has 0 offices, with 1 listed address in California.
California · 1 listed address
- 200 Homer Ave., Palo AltoHQ
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- Cornerstone Capital, Inc.
- Headquarters
- 200 Homer Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301
- Website
- cornerstone-capital.net
- Phone
- 650-566-9650
- @cornerstone-capital-inc.
- SEC file
- 801-13945
- Structure
- California corporation
- Fiscal year end
- December
Cornerstone Capital uses Charles Schwab ($989M, 85%) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith ($177M, 15%) as custodians for its separately managed accounts. Cornerstone Capital does not have custody of client assets.
- Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & SmithMerrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated · New York, NY · $177M15%
- Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. · San Francisco, CA · $989M85%
At year end, Cornerstone Capital’s separately managed accounts were mostly in stocks (66%) and bonds (32%). Its reported 13F holdings for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 total $1.12B across 120 positions; the largest are Corning Inc. (6.9%), Alphabet Inc. (5.4%) and Visa Inc. (4.1%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks66%
- Bonds32%
- Investment grade corporate bonds23%
- U.S. government and agency bonds8%
- State and local bonds1%
- Cash2%
Reported 13F holdings
- $1.12B
- Reported 13F value
- 120
- Positions
- 40.6%
- In the 10 largest
- +11.8%
- Value vs. prior quarter
- Corning Inc.6.9%
- Alphabet Inc. · Cap Stk CL A5.4%
- Visa Inc. · Com CL A4.1%
- Amphenol Corp. · CL A4.0%
- Microsoft Corp.4.0%
- Amazon Com Inc.3.9%
- Abbvie Inc.3.5%
- Cisco Sys Inc.3.0%
- Amgen Inc.2.9%
- Ametek Inc.2.9%
Together, the ten largest are 40.6% of reported value.
How many clients does Cornerstone Capital have?
Cornerstone Capital has 150 clients and manages $1.36 billion for them, as of March 2026. They include 99 high-net-worth individuals, 26 individual clients and 16 charitable organizations.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 19 March 2026
What services does Cornerstone Capital offer?
Cornerstone Capital provides portfolio management for individuals and small businesses and portfolio management for institutions.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.G, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
How much does Cornerstone Capital charge?
Cornerstone Capital charges 0.40%–1.00% a year for its Investment supervisory services. The fee is billed in arrears, is negotiable, has a $5,000 annual minimum and requires an account of at least $5,000,000.
Source: CORNERSTONE CAPITAL FORM ADV PART 2A - MARCH 2026, filed 19 March 2026
Which custodians does Cornerstone Capital use?
Cornerstone Capital’s separately managed account assets are held at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (San Francisco, CA), with $989M and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (New York, NY), with $177M. Only custodians holding at least a tenth of those assets are named.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedule D, Section 5.K.(3), filed 19 March 2026
How many financial advisors does Cornerstone Capital have?
Cornerstone Capital has 3 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 5 employees, and 3 perform investment advisory functions. None are registered representatives of a broker-dealer or licensed insurance agents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.A and 5.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
What does Cornerstone Capital invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, Cornerstone Capital’s separately managed accounts held 66% exchange-traded equities, 23% investment grade corporate bonds, 8% U.S. government and agency bonds, 2% cash and equivalents and 1% state and local bonds.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Does Cornerstone Capital have a minimum investment?
Yes, Cornerstone Capital’s minimum account size for its Investment supervisory services is $5M. It charges a $5K annual minimum fee.
Source: CORNERSTONE CAPITAL FORM ADV PART 2A - MARCH 2026, filed 19 March 2026
Who owns Cornerstone Capital?
Cornerstone Capital’s direct owners are Mark Branson, Bradford Dinsmore and Mason Ford, each holding 50% or less.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 19 March 2026
How does Cornerstone Capital get paid?
Cornerstone Capital is paid through a percentage of assets under management and fixed fees. Its Form ADV lists no commissions or performance-based fees among how it is paid.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.E, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Is Cornerstone Capital registered with the SEC?
Yes, Cornerstone Capital has been registered with the SEC as an investment adviser since 10 August 1978. Its CRD number is 105396 and its SEC file number is 801-13945.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 1, filed 19 March 2026; IAPD firm record
How do I contact Cornerstone Capital?
Cornerstone Capital’s main office is at 200 Homer Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301. Its phone number is 650-566-9650. Its website is cornerstone-capital.net.