As small businesses continue to feel the impact of the pandemic, many still need support to keep their doors open. To back underrepresented small business owners as they navigate the pandemic and plan for long-term success and resilience, American Express has partnered Main Street America on a $2.05M grant program called Inclusive Backing. This program builds on American Express’ ongoing Backing Small initiative to provide economically vulnerable small businesses with financial support and other resources to address their critical needs and challenges
More than 300 grants of $5,000 each will be awarded in four cycles over 12 months to small businesses located in older or historic commercial districts across the country, with priority given to businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and preference given to businesses owned by underrepresented groups, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, Veterans, women and people of color.
Membership in the National Main Street Center is not required to be eligible for the Program. Find additional eligibility requirements and other details on the fourth grant cycle below.
What types of businesses are eligible?
Businesses must meet the following criteria to apply:
- The business must be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by small business owners who identify as Native or Indigenous, Hispanic or Latinx, LGBTQ+ or as immigrants, refugees or forcibly displaced.
- The business must be a business entity in good standing in the state in which it was formed and the state in which it does business.
- The applicant’s business has a “brick-and-mortar” location and operates in an older or historic main street, downtown or commercial district in the United States or U.S. territories — businesses in strip malls, residences, and shopping malls are not eligible for this grant program.
- The applicant’s business employs 20 or fewer full-time employees, including the owner.
- The applicant’s business has been in operation since January 1, 2021.
- The applicant is an owner of the business and is 18 years of age or older.
What types of grant expenses are eligible?
Eligible grant expenses include but are not limited to:
- Physical improvements to business space to meet relevant reopening requirements implemented because of COVID-19.
- Equipment to comply with public health and safety guidelines (i.e., touchless payment methods, automatic door open sensors, or disposable menus).
- Fees associated with expanding the business to e-commerce sales.
- Other professional services, such as business plan modifications.
- Rent, payroll, and other operating expenses.
How to Apply
Applications are now closed.
Program Timeline
Cycle 1: Provided grants to both small business owners with disabilities and/or those who identify as Asian, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander. Learn about the recipients here.
Cycle 2: Provided grants to personal services businesses. Learn about the recipients here.
Cycle 3: Provided grants to businesses owned by women, nonbinary people, and U.S. Veterans. Learn about the recipients here.
Cycle 4: Application is now closed. Will provide grants to small business owners who identify as Native or Indigenous, Hispanic or Latinx, LGBTQ+ or as immigrants, refugees or forcibly displaced. All applicants notified via email August.