๐ฐ Grant Alert: $20K Amex Shop Small Grants Program
This is a strong opportunity for brick-and-mortar business owners ready to grow and make deeper community impact. Grant Name: Amex Shop Small Grants ProgramGrant Amount: $20,000 per award ๐ตRun by: American Express in partnership with Main Street America ๐ฅ Who qualifies To be eligible, your business must: โข Be a for-profit small business โข Be independently owned โข Operate from a physical brick-and-mortar location โข Be located in the United States or Washington, D.C. โข Have been operating at the current location since at least January 1, 2025 โข Have 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees โข Be legally registered and in good standing โข Be owned by someone 18 years or older โข Have a clear project plan for how funds will be used โ Not eligible This program does not fund:โข Nonprofitsโข Franchisesโข Online-only businessesโข Home-based businessesโข Mobile vendorsโข Businesses operating from coworking or shared spaces ๐ก What the money can be used for Funds must be used for growth and impact, such as:โข Marketing campaignsโข Store improvements or build-outsโข Purchasing equipmentโข Expanding product linesโข Enhancing customer experienceโข Community-focused upgrades These funds are meant to help you grow and innovate, not cover payroll or debt. ๐
Application window Closes: January 23, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT ๐ How applications are evaluated Applications are reviewed based on:โข Eligibilityโข Business impactโข Community impactโข Feasibility of your project planโข Ability to complete project within six months ๐ Apply here https://mainstreet.org/about/partner-collaborations/amex-shop-small-grant-program ๐ง Pro Tip from Inga Nykole Do not submit a vague plan & be specific about what you will build, improve, or expand with the $20,000. Funders want to see vision, clarity, and execution.