American Express has announced up to $2 million in grants to help Australian small businesses “grow, innovate and support their communities” through the Amex Shop Small Grants program.

From today (27 July) until 6 September, eligible small businesses across the country can apply for a Shop Small grant of $20,000 each via mainstreetaustralia.org.au/amexshopsmallgrantsprogram.  

“This year, together with our card members and participating businesses, we’re aiming to provide up to $2 million in Shop Small Grant funding,” says American Express Australia Managing Director Corrina Davison.

“It’s an opportunity for up to 100 small businesses to access funds that can help them invest in their future and continue making a difference in the communities they serve.”

American Express has contributed an initial $1 million to fund 50 grants through the program. It will then contribute an additional $1 for every eligible transaction made using an eligible American Express Card at participating Shop Small businesses in Australia between 1-7 August, up to a further $1 million.

“Small businesses help shape the character of our communities,” says Ms Davison. “They create local jobs, bring people together and make our neighbourhoods more vibrant, resilient and distinctive.

“For the past 14 years, Shop Small has celebrated the people behind these businesses and reminded us that where we choose to spend has a real impact. Every time someone shops small, they’re backing the passion, hard work and ambition of a local business owner.”

New consumer survey

As part of this year’s program, American Express has launched the Amex Shop Small Destination Index, a national ranking informed by a survey of more than 4000 consumers in Australia that identifies the destinations Australians most strongly associate with discovering and supporting small businesses.

The survey findings indicate that Australians see the strongest shop small destinations as those with great food, distinctive local businesses and a real sense of community.

The Amex Shop Small Destination Index also finds:

• 93% of surveyed Australians believe supporting small businesses is important, while 88% agree small businesses play an essential role in making local areas vibrant and distinctive.
• 86% of surveyed Australians agree that small businesses help create more connected local communities.
• More than half of the Australians surveyed say they choose small businesses to support local communities, while 45% are motivated by supporting small or family-owned business operators.
• Australians are most likely to discover new small businesses by simply walking past them (58%) or through recommendations from friends and family (52%).
• Hospitality remains the gateway to shopping small, with 72% of surveyed Australians saying cafes, restaurants and bars are where they most frequently engage with small businesses.
• Nearly one in five surveyed Australians say they would be willing to travel more than an hour, or make a dedicated trip, to visit a small business destination they wanted to support or explore.