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 šµRun by: American Express in partnership with Main Street America
š„ 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
ā Not eligible
This program does not fund:⢠Nonprofits⢠Franchises⢠Online-only businesses⢠Home-based businesses⢠Mobile vendors⢠Businesses operating from coworking or shared spaces
š” 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.
š
Application window
Closes: January 23, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT
š 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
š Apply here
š§ 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.