Main Street America and American Express Award $10,000 Backing Small Business Grants to 400 Businesses Nationwide

Main Street America and American Express: Backing Small Business Grants

Main Street America, in partnership with American Express, has launched the Amex Shop Small Grants Program — one of the largest small business grant initiatives in the country. The program has expanded significantly, now providing more than 500 grants of $20,000 each, totaling over $10 million in funding for small businesses across the United States.

Program Overview

The Amex Shop Small Grants Program reflects a shared commitment to champion small businesses that strengthen communities and help local economies thrive. Grant recipients will use the funds to grow, innovate, and support their local communities through ready-to-execute projects.

Originally announced as 400 grants of $10,000 each, the program has expanded thanks to American Express's giving pledge tied to eligible transactions made on Small Business Saturday. The initial $5 million contribution has been supplemented by an additional $5.1 million, bringing the total to over $10 million.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be 18 years of age or older and own an eligible small business
• Have owned the business on or before January 1, 2025
• Operate from a permanent, physical "brick-and-mortar" location in one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C.
• Currently employ 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• Meet all federal, state, and local requirements to legally operate

Not eligible: Nonprofits, franchises, online-only businesses, home-based businesses, businesses in U.S. territories, pop-up or shared spaces, and mobile businesses.

What Can Grant Funds Be Used For?

Grant funds must help the small business grow, innovate, and support their local community. Examples include:

• Large capital expense projects
• Physical or marketing refresh
• Adding new revenue streams
• Creating or improving community-centric spaces (patios, performance stages, gathering areas)
• Equipment, inventory, and marketing expenses

Funds may NOT be used for: debt repayment, rent/utilities, payroll/staffing, personal expenses, or invoices from before the grant period.

Program Timeline

Milestone	Date
Applications Opened	November 29, 2025
Applications Closed	January 23, 2026
Recipients Notified	March 2026
Grant Period	April - September 2026
Reports Due	October 15, 2026

How to Stay Informed

While the current application cycle has closed, Main Street America regularly runs grant programs for small businesses. To stay updated on future opportunities:

• Visit mainstreet.org
• Sign up for their Small Business Resources email list
• Follow Main Street America on social media

Why This Matters

Small business grants like this one provide critical non-dilutive funding that helps local businesses invest in growth without taking on debt. With over $10 million being distributed directly to Main Street businesses, this program represents one of the most significant private-sector small business grant initiatives available.

If you missed this cycle, bookmark the Main Street America website and prepare your application materials now — having a ready-to-execute project plan with a detailed, itemized budget significantly improves your chances in future rounds.

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Source: Main Street America - Amex Shop Small Grants Program