American Express® Backing Small Businesses Disaster Recovery Grants

About

The American Express® Backing Small Businesses grant program offers 400 grants of $10,000 each to support small businesses in historic areas of the U.S. facing economic challenges, with applications opening on July 16, 2025, and closing on July 31, 2025, providing essential funding for projects that enhance resilience and community impact.

Benefits

• 400 grants of $10,000 each to support projects enhancing resilience and community impact
• Potential for an additional $30,000 Enhancement Grant for successful initial grant recipients
• Funding can be used for various eligible expenses including accessibility upgrades, community events, equipment, marketing, operational strategy, physical improvements, sustainability upgrades, and technology upgrades

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a small business owner
• At least 18 years old
• Bricks-and-mortar location in an older or historic main street in the U.S.
• Occupied current location since January 1, 2025
• Independent business, not a franchise or nonprofit
• 20 or fewer full-time employees
• In operation on or before January 1, 2024
• Good standing in state of formation and operation
• Active business license if required
• No previous Backing Small Businesses grant received