💰 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 💵Run by: American Express in partnership with Main Street America 👥 Who qualifies To be eligible, your business must: • Be a for-profit small business • Be independently owned • Operate from a physical brick-and-mortar location • Be located in the United States or Washington, D.C. • Have been operating at the current location since at least January 1, 2025 • Have 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees • Be legally registered and in good standing • Be owned by someone 18 years or older • Have a clear project plan for how funds will be used ❌ Not eligible This program does not fund:• Nonprofits• Franchises• Online-only businesses• Home-based businesses• Mobile vendors• Businesses operating from coworking or shared spaces 💡 What the money can be used for Funds must be used for growth and impact, such as:• Marketing campaigns• Store improvements or build-outs• Purchasing equipment• Expanding product lines• Enhancing customer experience• Community-focused upgrades These funds are meant to help you grow and innovate, not cover payroll or debt. 📅 Application window Closes: January 23, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT 📌 How applications are evaluated Applications are reviewed based on:• Eligibility• Business impact• Community impact• Feasibility of your project plan• Ability to complete project within six months 🔗 Apply here https://mainstreet.org/about/partner-collaborations/amex-shop-small-grant-program 🧠 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.