To back underrepresented small business owners as they navigate the pandemic and plan for long-term success and resilience, American Express is partnering with Main Street America with a $1.65M year-round grant program called Inclusive Backing.
Donor Name: Main Street America
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/24/2022
Size of the Grant: $5,000
Details:
Priority is given to businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and preference is given to businesses owned by underrepresented groups, including People of Color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, veterans, and women.
Funding Information
More than 250 grants of $5,000 each will be awarded in four cycles over 12 months to small businesses located in older or historic commercial districts across the country.
Eligible Grant Expenses
Eligible grant expenses include but are not limited to:
- Physical improvements to business space to meet relevant reopening requirements implemented because of COVID-19.
- Equipment to comply with public health and safety guidelines (i.e., touchless payment methods, automatic door open sensors, or disposable menus).
- Fees associated with expanding the business to e-commerce sales.
- Other professional services, such as business plan modifications.
- Rent, payroll, and other operating expenses.
Eligibility Criteria
The third grant cycle will provide grants to businesses owned by women, nonbinary people, and Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Membership in Main Street America is not required to be eligible for the Program, but businesses must have a “bricks-and-mortar” location and operate in an older or historic main street, downtown, or commercial district in the United States.
What types of businesses are eligible?
Businesses must meet the following criteria to apply:
- The business must be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by women, nonbinary people, and/or Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
- The business must be a business entity in good standing in the state in which it was formed and the state in which it does business.
- The applicant’s business has a “brick-and-mortar” location and operates in an older or historic main street, downtown, or commercial district in the United States—businesses in strip malls, residences, and shopping malls are not eligible for this grant program.
- The applicant’s business employs 20 or fewer full-time employees, including the owner.
- The applicant’s business has been in operation since January 1, 2021.
- The applicant is an owner of the business and is 18 years of age or older.
For more information, visit Inclusive Backing Grant Program Application.
