American Express® Backing Small Businesses
The Backing Small Businesses grant program, presented by American Express, offers funding to small business owners.
Working Together
Our Partner Programs
Main Street America partners with a range of nationally recognized corporations, foundations, government entities, and organizations to deliver grants and technical services to support thriving local economies and inviting public spaces, including American Express, T‑Mobile, Grow with Google, GM, The Hartford, the Truist Foundation, U.S. Department of Transportation, and many more. Check out our current partnerships below.
American Express® Neighborhood Champions
With American Express, we invite organizations to bring small businesses and shoppers together on Small Business Saturday® and all year long.
GM on Main Street Grant Program
The GM On Main Street Grant Program awards grants for implementing innovative placemaking initiatives in local commercial districts.
The Hartford Small Business Accelerator Grant Program
The Hartford Small Business Accelerator Grant Program helps Main Street districts accelerate economic development in their local community.
Kauffman’s Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
This grant program offers state-wide professional development training in equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem building.
National Park Service Disaster Preparedness Program
Providing resources and education to communities to help them prepare for disaster and build resilience.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Unlocking Capital Grant Program
The Unlocking Capital on Main Street Program, funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, offers Coordinating Programs an opportunity to build effective community investment ecosystems in their states.
The Simons Foundation In the Path of Totality Initiative
This program awarded grants to Main Streets located within the path of totality for the 2024 total solar eclipse.
The Simons Foundation Science Discovery on Main Street
This initiative aims to help Main Street communities uncover and leverage their unique science assets, history, and features.
T‑Mobile Hometown Grant Program
T‑Mobile Hometown Grants offers $50,000 placemaking grants to small towns with 50,000 people or less.
The Truist Foundation’s Where It Starts: Breaking Barriers to Business Initiative
Supporting cross-sector leaders in accelerating wealth-building pathways for business owners of color.
USDOT Thriving Communities Program
As part of the U.S. Department of Transportation Thriving Communities Program, we’re helping communities access funding opportunities.
Middlesboro, Kentucky © Danny Vaughn
Get Involved
Become a Main Street America Supporter
Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
Learn More