American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant

Who qualifies

American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant is a private grant from American Express, open to businesses nationwide, with a published award of $5,000–$25,000. Deadline for American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant: No active cycle as of May 2026. Monitor americanexpress.com/backing-small-businesses and American Express social media for new cycle announcements.

• Must be a for-profit small business based in the United States
• Business must have a compelling community impact story — Amex emphasizes businesses that serve their local communities, not just generate revenue
• American Express card membership has historically been encouraged (some cycles explicitly required being an Amex card member or business card member); verify per current cycle terms
• Business must meet the SBA definition of 'small business' (generally fewer than 500 employees for most industries)
• No minimum revenue requirement stated in past cycles
• Business must be currently operating (not pre-launch)

Hard requirements

• Must be incorporated

What it covers

American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant is a private grant from American Express, open to businesses nationwide, with a published award of $5,000–$25,000. Deadline for American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant: No active cycle as of May 2026. Monitor americanexpress.com/backing-small-businesses and American Express social media for new cycle announcements. American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant covers 6 categories of eligible expense and excludes 2. Historically $5,000 (broader cohorts) or $25,000 (more selective cohorts), depending on the cycle. American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant pays out as a lump sum.

How to apply

Applying to American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant ($5,000–$25,000 from American Express, businesses nationwide) takes 4 steps and about 6 hours in total. Deadline for American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant: No active cycle as of May 2026. Monitor americanexpress.com/backing-small-businesses and American Express social media for new cycle announcements.

1. 1

   Monitor for cycle announcement

   There is no active cycle as of May 2026. Bookmark americanexpress.com/backing-small-businesses and follow @AmericanExpress on social media. Past cycles have opened with limited advance notice (1–2 weeks). Being ready to apply quickly is an advantage.

   ~0 hrs

2. 2

   Prepare your community impact story in advance

   When a cycle opens, applications are competitive and windows are short (30–60 days, sometimes less). Prepare your community impact narrative in advance: how your business serves your community, what you've overcome, and what you'll do with the grant. Authenticity and specificity outperform polished corporate language.

   ~4 hrs

3. 3

   Complete the online application when the cycle opens

   Past cycles used a short online form (basic business info, 2–3 short-answer questions, sometimes a brief video). Application takes approximately 1–2 hours when complete.

   ~2 hrs

4. 4

   Submit and await winner announcement

   Submit before the cycle closes — deadlines are firm and sometimes shortened without notice. Past cycles announced winners 6–10 weeks after close. Winners are notified by email and featured on americanexpress.com. If not selected, monitor for future cycles; Amex has run multiple rounds and the program recurs.

   ~0 hrs

Deadline & timing

American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant is listed as between intakes in the GrantCompass catalog as of August 24, 2026. Deadline for American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant: No active cycle as of May 2026. Monitor americanexpress.com/backing-small-businesses and American Express social media for new cycle announcements. American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant awards $5,000–$25,000 to businesses nationwide through American Express. The American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant application runs to 4 steps and about 6 hours of work in total. American Express Backing Small Businesses Grant sits at the private level and is classified as a grant.

American Express does not run the Backing Small Businesses grant on a fixed annual calendar. Past cycles have opened with 30–60 day application windows. New cycles are announced via americanexpress.com/backing-small-businesses and @AmericanExpress on social media. Subscribe to American Express business news to be notified.