Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams
We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.
Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street
Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.
Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America
Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!
Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo
Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.
Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street
Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
The Backing Small Businesses grant program, supported by American Express, empowers locally significant small businesses to overcome economic hardship, grow, and drive community impact.
The Backing Small Businesses grant program, supported by American Express, provides support to locally significant small businesses with community reach.
The program is accepting applications for grants of $10,000 to fund projects that promote sustainable growth, enhance long-term resilience, and increase local impact. Following the Disaster Recovery Grants, the Backing Small Businesses grant program will launch a broader round of grants, offering 400 additional $10,000 grants to locally significant small businesses to overcome economic hardship, grow, and drive community impact.
Applications are open for the Backing Small Business grant program from Wednesday, July 16 at 9:00 a.m. CT to Thursday, July 31 at 11:59 p.m. CT.
Please note that project proposals for the $10,000 grant application should be feasible to achieve with only the $10,000 award and completed by the end of the calendar year. Recipients of the $10,000 grant will be required to submit a final grant report using a template provided.
Of the five hundred (500) recipients selected through our 2025 Backing Small Business grant program, including the one hundred (100) recipients of the Disaster Recovery grants, a limited subset of twenty-five (25) will be awarded $30,000 Enhancement Grants to support transformative projects that strengthen their businesses and deepen their impact within their communities. To be eligible for a $30,000 Enhancement Grant, a recipient must have received the initial $10,000 grant and successfully completed their projects, and must not have previously received an Enhancement Grant from the Backing Small Businesses grant program. Enhancement Grant recipients will be considered based on Enhancement Grant project proposals, which must be submitted through the final grant report for the initial $10,000 grant.
This program marks the latest effort in American Express’ “Backing Small Businesses” work to equip small businesses with the resources to grow and innovate today, prepare for tomorrow, and overcome challenges big and small. Other Backing Small Businesses programs include Backing Historic Small Restaurants and Backing International Historical Small Restaurants.
Businesses must meet the following criteria to apply:
We are seeking businesses that are in the “heart” of their communities, whatever size or form that may be. We recognize that all communities are different, and this phrase is intentionally flexible and adaptable to many different contexts. We define this as a contiguous commercial district with businesses and mixed-use buildings along a commercial corridor. In some communities, this may look like wall-to-wall retail and commercial accessible to pedestrians via a sidewalk or path. In other places, this may look like a plaza with small businesses around a central parking lot. In small rural communities, there may only be one or two stores on either side of an intersection. Businesses should primarily neighbor other commercial businesses (not residential homes) and community members might visit multiple businesses nearby when running errands, going to appointments, or visiting with family and friends.
Eligible grant expenses include but are not limited to:
*Note that utilities must not be more than $2000 or 20% of the requested funds.
*Note that payroll, debt/loan repayment, and payment of invoices are NOT eligible uses of grant funds.
Applications will be reviewed based on:
The grant application is open from Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 9 a.m. CT until Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT. The application portal is available on this webpage. To receive emails for other small business resources and opportunities, please subscribe to the “Small Business Resources, Information, and Updates” list here.
Interested in learning more about the program? Watch our informational webinar below for additional details on:
Meet 100 resilient small business owners rebuilding with support from our disaster recovery grant program, part of the Backing Small Businesses program supported by American Express.
The 25 small businesses receiving enhancement grants represent 25 states across the country. Earlier this year, each of these recipients also received an additional $10,000 as part of a 500-member cohort.
American Express and Main Street America announced the 500 small business owners who have been awarded $10,000 through the Backing Small Businesses grant program.
Sarah Cole, owner of Abadir’s in Greensboro, Ala., was a 2023 Backing Small Businesses grantee. Abadir’s is a pop-up eatery specializing in seasonal and wholesome baked goods influenced by Egyptian traditions and flavors combined with inspiration from true Southern cuisine.
Tylisya Gober, owner of Barbie Behavior Boutique in Oak Park, Mich., was a 2023 Backing Small Businesses grantee. Barbie Behavior is a women’s clothing boutique specializing in celebrity-inspired attire.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Tiffany Fixter, owner of Brewability, an inclusive craft brewery and pizzeria that employs adults with disabilities based in Englewood,
Meet the 2023 recipients for the Backing Small Businesses grant program, presented by American Express, to provide financial support to small business owners to address critical needs and make a positive impact in their local communities.
Meet Backing Small Businesses grantees Kim and Chris Casteel of Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics based in Detroit, Michigan.
Meet the latest recipients of the Backing Small Businesses Program from American Express!
Contact SmallBizGrant@mainstreet.org
or call 312−610−5613 and leave a voicemail with any other questions. Please allow up to two (2) full business days to respond to all inquiries.
Main Street America (the National Main Street Center) has partnered with American Express to launch the “Backing Small Businesses (the “Backing Small Businesses grant program”) which is administered by Main Street America. All Applications become the sole property of the Sponsor and information from the Applications may be provided to American Express. Please review the Main Street America privacy policy here.
Through our Small Business Support work, Main Street America is equipping both small business owners and economic development leaders with tools, resources, and opportunities to build stronger and more resilient local economies.
Find Resources