CHICAGO—Main Street America has announced that it will be accepting applications for its Backing Small Business grant program from March 14 through April 7, 2024. Offered in partnership with American Express, the program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach. This year, according to Main Street America, eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their business by building community, supporting their economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change.

Founded in 1980 as a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Main Street America has worked for more than 40 years to help revitalize older and historic districts throughout the U.S. and continues its commitment to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. The Backing Small Business grant program was developed in 2021 by American Express and Main Street America to help under-resourced and economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses. 

According to Main Street America, in its first year, the program awarded $1.65 million in grants to 330 small business owners nationwide, and in its second year the program awarded over $2.3 million in grants to an additional 350 businesses. Now in its third year, the program will increase grants awarded and double total funding to more than $5.7 million to further support under-resourced and economically vulnerable small business owners in building their economic vitality and fostering a thriving community. 

For more information, interested applicants are invited to join an informational webinar on March 13, or can click here for additional program and eligibility details.