The Amex Shop Small Grants program aims to support independently owned small businesses to invest in projects that help them grow, innovate and support their local communities.

The program has two primary objectives:

1. Business Growth and/or Innovation

This includes helping businesses invest in new ideas, products, services, technology, equipment, accessibility improvements, marketing initiatives and customer-focused enhancements that improve competitiveness, increase visitation, build resilience and support future growth. Projects should demonstrate how the funding will help create positive and measurable outcomes for the business, including increased productivity, improved customer engagement, expanded market opportunities or enhanced business performance.

2. Community Impact

The purpose of this grant is to help small businesses grow, and innovate while supporting local communities. Applicants with established community engagement efforts may use grant funds solely for business growth and innovation. Applicants without existing community-focused programs must dedicate a portion of the grant funds to a community benefit initiative, in addition to proposed growth and innovation activities, to support projects that contribute to vibrant, connected and economically active local communities.

Small businesses play an important role in creating destinations, activating main streets and fostering social connection. The program encourages projects that enhance the local customer experience, increase community participation, contribute to local identity, support local events or create broader economic and social benefits within the community.

Projects should demonstrate how the proposed activity will support local communities and deliver positive outcomes beyond the individual business.

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Hold a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Be a for-profit and independently owned and operated small business
• Operate from a permanent physical premises available to customers, which must be:
  • Located in Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, or Australian Capital Territory)
  • A permanent structure
• Have commenced trading on or before 1 January 2025.
• The start date refers to the date
• that the business first was in operation providing goods or services and had the potential
• to generate income
• Have no more than 20 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) employees
• Hold all licences and approvals required to legally operate.

• Email: amexshopsmallgrants@mainstreetaustralia.org.au