Small Businesses Could Qualify for Inclusive Backing Grants
(Main Street America, March 13, 2022)
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 with Main Street America on a $1.65M year-round 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 250 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 People of Color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, veterans, and women.
Applications for the third grant cycle are now open. The third grant cycle will provide grants to businesses owned by women, nonbinary people, and Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Applications are being accepted from March 10-24.