The Amex Shop Small Grants Program provides grants to small businesses to grow, innovate, and support their local communities.
Donor Name: Main Street America
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Program
Deadline: 01/16/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Program help small businesses grow, innovate, and support their local communities, American Express is teaming up with Main Street America this Small Business Saturday® to launch the Amex Shop Small Grants Program.
The Amex Shop Small Grants Program reflects the shared commitment of American Express and Main Street America to champion small businesses that strengthen communities and help local economies thrive.
Funding Information
The Program will provide an initial $5 million to fund 250 grants of $20,000.
Eligible Expenses
Grant funds must be used to help the small business grow and/or innovate and support their local communities. If a business already supports its local community, the grant can be used for growth and/or innovation. If not, a portion of the grant must be dedicated to a community-focused initiative, in addition to business growth and/or innovation. All proposed project plans must be implemented and operational by the end of the grant spending period.
Proposal examples for inspiration:
- Large capital expense projects, a physical or marketing refresh, or adding new revenue streams.
- Creating or improving a community-centric space within the business such as a patio, performance stage, or area used for community gatherings, or hosting events in existing spaces.
- All grant funds must be spent during the grant spending period, April-September 2026. All recipients will receive a grant of $20,000.
- If the project’s total budget is greater than $20,000, the application must clearly show how the business will source the additional needed funds.
- If the primary project is budgeted for less than $20,000, any remaining funds may be used on equipment and inventory, marketing expenses, or other operational expenses, as long as all spending occurs during the grant period. These items should be included in the budget submitted with the application.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Be an owner of an eligible small business.
- Have been an owner of that business on or before January 1, 2025.
Small businesses must:
- Be a for-profit, independently owned business.
- Have a start date on or before January 1, 2024.
- The start date refers to the date that the business first was in operation providing goods or services and had the potential to generate income.
- Operate out of a physical brick-and-mortar” location, which must be:
- Located in one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington D.C. (excludes U.S. territories).
- A permanent structure.
- Solely used by that same business operating within it.
- Have operated out of that eligible physical location on or before January 1, 2025.
- Currently employ 20 or less FTE (Full Time Equivalent) employees.
- Meet all federal, state, and local requirements to legally operate.
- Businesses must maintain up-to-date licenses and permits required dependent on business activities.
- If the business is required to be registered with the Secretary of State or similar organization, the business must be registered and In Good Standing (or of a similar status in their locality).
- Be submitted via MSA’s application submission portal Submittable, which requires you to create an account and login.
- Be submitted in English.
For more information, visit Main Street America.
