In partnership with American Express, the Backing Small Businesses grant program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach. 

This year, eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their businesses by building community, supporting their economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change.  

Applications will be accepted now through April 7, 2024, at 11:59 pm CT. The application period will end once 5,000 applications have been submitted, even if that occurs before the deadline. 

Who is eligible to apply?:
 

• The applicant must be an owner of the business.  
• The applicant must be at least age 18 years or older. 
• The business must be in a "bricks-and-mortar" location and operate in an older or historic main street, downtown, or commercial district in the United States. The business must have occupied their current bricks-and-mortar location since January 1, 2024. (Home-based businesses, even those located in historic neighborhoods, are not eligible. Brick and mortar businesses located outside of historic downtowns and commercial corridors, including, but not limited to, office parks and shopping malls are also not eligible.) 
• The business must be an independent business and not part of a franchise. 
• The business must employ 20 or less full time employees.  
• The business must have been in operation on or before January 1, 2023. 
• 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 business must have an active business license, if required by state or local government. (Applicants may be asked to provide documentation if selected.)