Latest news with #BackingInternationalSmallRestaurants
Cision Canada
22-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
American Express Renews Support for Local Restaurants with 2025 Grant Program Français
Applications now open for eligible small restaurants in Toronto and Montreal TORONTO, May 22, 2025 /CNW/ - American Express today announced the return of its Backing International Small Restaurants grant program in Canada, reaffirming its commitment to helping small, independent restaurants grow and thrive. In partnership with the International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation, the 2025 program will offer 20 grants of $20,000 CAD each to selected restaurants in Toronto and Montreal. Now in its fourth year in Canada, the program is designed to help small, independent restaurants that support their communities – specifically those serving or operated by individuals facing economic hardship – to make meaningful upgrades, like enhancing digital capabilities, improving kitchen operations and reimagining their dining spaces. Applications in Canada are open until June 30, 2025. Eligible, independent restaurants located in Toronto and Montreal are encouraged to apply. "At American Express, we're proud to continue backing small restaurants that play such a vital role in our local communities," said Kerri-Ann Santaguida, Vice President and General Manager, Merchant Services, American Express Canada. "These restaurants are more than just places to dine — they are cultural and community anchors. This program is designed to invest in this important group of business owners so they are able to preserve what makes their restaurants so special." Since launching in 2022, the Backing International Small Restaurants initiative has supported more than 135 restaurants worldwide. Among last year's Canadian recipients was Montréal's Bocadillo, a family-run restaurant that used its grant to expand its role as a hub for the city's music and dance community. "The grant had allowed us to host more live music events, upgrade our sound system, and improve the dining experience for our guests, ultimately helping us strengthen our connection with our local community in Montreal," said Laura Uzcategui, owner of Bocadillo. This year, Backing International Small Restaurants is bigger than ever and is open to applicants in three new countries — France, New Zealand, and Spain — in addition to restaurants in Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and the U.K. The program is offering $1.45 million USD in funding to 100 restaurants so they can make critical improvements, like upgrading kitchen equipment and making improvements to their storefront. "The IDA Foundation is excited to partner once again with American Express to launch the fourth year of the Backing International Small Restaurants program," said David Downey, Executive Director, IDA Foundation. "To empower these vital community anchors to thrive, this initiative provides essential support to the independent restaurants that are the heart and soul of our downtowns." In addition to this program backing independent, small restaurants, Amex Canada is also demonstrating its support of the Canadian small business community through a grant and mentorship program run by DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University. Funded by Amex Canada and administered by DMZ, 100 Canadian small businesses will be selected to each receive a $10,000 CAD grant and mentoring support. About American Express Amex (NYSE: AXP) is a global, premium payments and lifestyle brand powered by technology. Our colleagues around the world back our customers with differentiated products, services and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Founded in 1850 and headquartered in New York, Amex' brand is built on trust, security, and service, and a rich history of delivering innovation and Membership value for our customers. With a hundred million merchant locations on our global network in over 200 countries and territories, we seek to provide the world's best customer experience every day to a broad range of consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and large corporations. For more information about American Express in Canada, visit and connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. The International Downtown Association Foundation is a charitable nonprofit organization working in collaboration with the International Downtown Association (IDA) to provide education, research, and support for creating prosperous city centers, commercial neighborhoods and livable urban places for all.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American Express Renews Support for Local Restaurants with 2025 Grant Program
Applications now open for eligible small restaurants in Toronto and Montreal TORONTO, May 22, 2025 /CNW/ - American Express today announced the return of its Backing International Small Restaurants grant program in Canada, reaffirming its commitment to helping small, independent restaurants grow and thrive. In partnership with the International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation, the 2025 program will offer 20 grants of $20,000 CAD each to selected restaurants in Toronto and Montreal. Now in its fourth year in Canada, the program is designed to help small, independent restaurants that support their communities – specifically those serving or operated by individuals facing economic hardship – to make meaningful upgrades, like enhancing digital capabilities, improving kitchen operations and reimagining their dining spaces. Applications in Canada are open until June 30, 2025. Eligible, independent restaurants located in Toronto and Montreal are encouraged to apply. "At American Express, we're proud to continue backing small restaurants that play such a vital role in our local communities," said Kerri-Ann Santaguida, Vice President and General Manager, Merchant Services, American Express Canada. "These restaurants are more than just places to dine — they are cultural and community anchors. This program is designed to invest in this important group of business owners so they are able to preserve what makes their restaurants so special." Since launching in 2022, the Backing International Small Restaurants initiative has supported more than 135 restaurants worldwide. Among last year's Canadian recipients was Montréal's Bocadillo, a family-run restaurant that used its grant to expand its role as a hub for the city's music and dance community. "The grant had allowed us to host more live music events, upgrade our sound system, and improve the dining experience for our guests, ultimately helping us strengthen our connection with our local community in Montreal," said Laura Uzcategui, owner of Bocadillo. This year, Backing International Small Restaurants is bigger than ever and is open to applicants in three new countries — France, New Zealand, and Spain — in addition to restaurants in Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and the U.K. The program is offering $1.45 million USD in funding to 100 restaurants so they can make critical improvements, like upgrading kitchen equipment and making improvements to their storefront. "The IDA Foundation is excited to partner once again with American Express to launch the fourth year of the Backing International Small Restaurants program," said David Downey, Executive Director, IDA Foundation. "To empower these vital community anchors to thrive, this initiative provides essential support to the independent restaurants that are the heart and soul of our downtowns." In addition to this program backing independent, small restaurants, Amex Canada is also demonstrating its support of the Canadian small business community through a grant and mentorship program run by DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University. Funded by Amex Canada and administered by DMZ, 100 Canadian small businesses will be selected to each receive a $10,000 CAD grant and mentoring support. About American Express Amex (NYSE: AXP) is a global, premium payments and lifestyle brand powered by technology. Our colleagues around the world back our customers with differentiated products, services and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Founded in 1850 and headquartered in New York, Amex' brand is built on trust, security, and service, and a rich history of delivering innovation and Membership value for our customers. With a hundred million merchant locations on our global network in over 200 countries and territories, we seek to provide the world's best customer experience every day to a broad range of consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and large corporations. For more information about American Express in Canada, visit and connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION The International Downtown Association Foundation is a charitable nonprofit organization working in collaboration with the International Downtown Association (IDA) to provide education, research, and support for creating prosperous city centers, commercial neighborhoods and livable urban places for all. SOURCE American Express Canada View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express Launch Applications for Fifth Year of "Backing Historic Small Restaurants" Grant Program
WASHINGTON, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Applications are now open to small restaurant owners who qualify for Backing Historic Small Restaurants (BHSR), a grant program from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, supported by American Express, which helps small and independent restaurants preserve their histories while celebrating their cuisines and supporting their local economies. Now in its fifth year, the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program will provide $2.5 million in grants to 50 U.S. historic restaurants. The program has already provided over $5 million over the past four years to 130 restaurant owners in all 50 states, who have been impacted by economic hardship or disasters. This initiative is part of America Express' larger "Backing Small" grants program which includes its Backing International Small Restaurants program, also launching today. Together, the "Backing Small" restaurant grant programs will provide $3.95 million in funding and other resources in 2025 to restaurants around the world. "American Express is proud to back local champions who strengthen their communities, and that includes many small and independent restaurants," said Madge Thomas, Head of Corporate Sustainability and President, American Express Foundation. "Food brings people together and builds community. We aim to offer restaurants the support they need to expand, innovate, update their spaces, and improve operations, so they continue to grow and bring vitality to neighborhoods across the U.S and around the world." "American Express is an invaluable partner to the National Trust as together we work to strengthen neighborhoods across the country by supporting these small businesses that bring people together," said Carol Quillen, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Grantees from past years say the funding helped them make much needed infrastructure changes. Stephen Reeve, a 2024 Backing Historic Small Restaurants winner, runs New York Café in Ketchikan, Alaska — the state's longest operating restaurant, which adventurer Tony Ohashi built more than 120 years ago. The grant helped Stephen restore key elements of the building façade and better document the café's history with historic signage. "We want to honor the families that created the New York Café and much more of the surrounding historic Stedman-Thomas neighborhood," Reeve said. Applications are open today and close on May 30. Restaurant owners can apply for the grant program here. Community members can also nominate their favorite restaurant here. ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS "BACKING SMALL" INITIATIVES American Express launched Backing Historic Small Restaurants, and its sister program Backing International Small Restaurants, when many restaurants were forced to close their doors during the pandemic, and expanded the grant support over the years to help small restaurant owners address their evolving needs. As the founder of Small Business Saturday in 2010, American Express has brought communities together by connecting small business owners with local customers when these businesses needed the foot traffic. Since 2020, their grants have supported nearly 5,000 small businesses across six countries and 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. Learn more about American Express' community impact here. ABOUT THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately-funded nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities maintain and enhance the power of historic places. Chartered by Congress in 1949 and supported by partners, friends, and champions nationwide, we help preserve the places and stories that make communities unique. Through the stewardship and revitalization of historic sites, we help communities foster economic growth, create healthier environments, and build a stronger, shared sense of civic duty and belonging. Press contact: PR@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE National Trust for Historic Preservation Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time Out
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Hey, small biz owners! Amex is giving away thousands of dollars to support Sydney venues
We know things are tough out there for small business owners. So, if you own a small restaurant, café, bar or pub in Sydney, we're here to tell you some bloody good news: Amex is once again handing out thousands of dollars to support venues. They've got even more money to cash out this time around. And the best bit? There's seriously no catch. Now in its fourth year, the Backing International Small Restaurants program is offering 15 grants valued at $23,000 to small restaurant owners in Sydney and Melbourne. Plus, for the first time, they're giving away five grants worth $25,000 NZD to our Kiwi restaurant friends in Auckland. That's more than $400,000 worth of Amex grants. How sweet's that? The grant is intended to be a helping hand during an economically challenging time, allowing you to invest where it's needed most to improve and grow your business. Previous Sydney recipients of this game-changing grant include Potts Point's excellent sandwich shop Small's Deli, and incredible Afghan diner Kabul Social. 'American Express is proud to back local champions who strengthen their communities, and that includes many small and independent restaurants,' says Madge Thomas, head of corporate sustainability and president, American Express Foundation. 'Food brings people together, and we aim to offer these restaurants the support they need for their spaces and operations so they can continue to grow and be pillars in their neighbourhoods.' One of the grant recipients in Melbourne last year was Bojak Brewing, a 75-seat brewery in Dandenong. Speaking about the life-changing grant, co-owner Sue Messina says: 'The American Express grant was great because it helped us afford improvements that we couldn't have made otherwise. We installed permanent gas heaters in the outdoor beer garden, making it a perfect year-round spot for families and beer lovers alike. "The grant also enabled us to invest in new kitchen flooring and better equipment like a new density meter to provide more precise measurements and streamline the brewing process, as well as a carton box taper to improve efficiency when packaging beer.' To be eligible, Australian venues must be in Sydney (or Melbourne) and: Be currently open for business, in operation for more than one year and have a brick-and-mortar location/storefront (online-only or app-based businesses are not eligible); Be a small/independently owned restaurant, café, bar or pub with food offering and not part of a franchise with more than five locations; Have a 2024 annual revenue below market-specific thresholds (see more info here).
