AmEx Backing Small Businesses Grant

Details

American Express and Main Street America created the Backing Small Businesses grant program to support small business owners in building their economic vitality and fostering a thriving community. In 2025, 400 small business grants of $10,000 will be given to eligible businesses in the U.S. and U.S. territories. Of the 400 recipients selected for $10,000 grants, a limited subset of 25 recipients will be awarded $30,000 Enhancement Grants, which will allow those business owners the opportunity to create transformative change within their business and in their community. Here's how the program works:

• The applicant must be an 18+ business owner
• The business must be in a ​“bricks-and-mortar” location and operate in an older or historic main street, downtown, or commercial district in the United States. The business must have occupied their current bricks-and-mortar location since January 1, 2025. (Home-based businesses, even those located in historic neighborhoods, are not eligible)
• The business must be an independent business and not part of a franchise
• The business must employ 20 or less full time employees
• The business must have been in operation on or before January 1, 2024
• The business must have an active business license, if required by state or local government, and in good standing in the state in which it was formed and does business
• Applications close July 31, 2025