American Express and Main Street America announced the recipients of the Amex Shop Small Grants Program, awarding more than $10 million in funding to over 500 small businesses across the United States. Each selected business received a $20,000 grant to support growth initiatives, innovation efforts, and community impact programs.
The initiative was originally launched with a $5 million contribution designed to support 250 small businesses as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration. Through a Small Business Saturday giving pledge, eligible transactions generated an additional $1 contribution to the grant program, while American Express added another $5.1 million, significantly expanding the reach of the initiative and increasing the number of businesses supported nationwide.
American Express said the Shop Small Grants Program builds on the company’s longstanding support for small businesses and local economies, continuing a commitment that began with the launch of Small Business Saturday in 2010.
The 2026 grant recipients span multiple industries, including retail, food service, healthcare, and professional services. Funding from the grants will help recipients expand operations, invest in upgrades, launch new offerings, and strengthen their local presence.
Highlighted recipients include:
- Bill’s Hamburgers, a nearly century-old restaurant planning to expand gathering space and complete updates designed to welcome future generations of customers.
- Don’t Toss the Bouquet, a flower rescue business growing its program that repurposes floral arrangements from weddings and funerals into community care initiatives.
- The Wig Dr. Wig Boutique & Mastectomy Center, a specialized provider of wigs and post-mastectomy care expanding access through a new Mobile Confidence Care Unit.
- Voy 61 Drive-In Theatre, a family-owned drive-in theater investing in a new exterior marquee to help sustain its long-standing community tradition.
- Maui Sports Cards, a collectibles and gaming card shop expanding into a larger location to create a stronger community gathering space.
American Express and Main Street America said they will continue highlighting recipient stories and local community impact throughout the year across social media channels and program-related initiatives.
Jennifer Skyler, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at American Express, emphasized the importance of small businesses in strengthening communities and said the Shop Small Grants Program represents a meaningful investment in the entrepreneurs and local establishments driving impact nationwide.
Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America, said the organization believes supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses helps create community wealth and foster innovation, adding that access to resources and funding remains critical for local economic development.
KEY QUOTES:
“Small businesses play a vital role in our communities. The Shop Small Grants Program builds on our longstanding commitment to small businesses, which began with Small Business Saturday, by putting meaningful investment behind the people and places that drive local impact.”
Jennifer Skyler, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, American Express
“At Main Street America, we believe that supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses builds community wealth and a culture of innovation, yet far too often, this vision isn’t realized due to a variety of factors, including lack of access to resources and funding. This is why we are so proud to partner with American Express on a program that provides meaningful support to small business owners working to strengthen their livelihoods and their communities.”
Erin Barnes, President And CEO, Main Street America
