Year 1
In its first year, the program provided $1.65 million in grants to 330 small business owners across the country.
Cycle 1: Provided grants to both small business owners with disabilities and/or those who identify as Asian, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander. Learn about the recipients here.
Cycle 2: Provided grants to personal services businesses. Learn about the recipients here.
Cycle 3: Provided grants to businesses owned by women, nonbinary people, and U.S. Veterans. Learn about the recipients here.
Cycle 4: Provided grants to small business owners who identify as Native or Indigenous, Hispanic or Latinx, LGBTQ+ or as immigrants, refugees or forcibly displaced. Learn about the recipients here.
Year 2
In its second year, the program increased the number of grants awarded to 350 and total funding to more than $2.3 million to further support small business owners. Learn about the recipients here.
Twenty-five small business owners across the country were awarded $25,000 Enhancement Grants through the Backing Small Businesses grant program, presented by American Express and Main Street America. Learn about the recipients here.