American Express Expands Small Restaurant Grants to Nine Countries for 2026

American Express and the International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation have launched the 2026 applications for their Backing International Small Restaurants grants program, marking five years of supporting independent eateries worldwide. Now open for submissions through November 16, 2026, the initiative will award over $2 million CAD to more than 100 restaurants across nine countries, including Canada, the UK, Mexico, and Italy.

In Canada, 20 grants of $20,000 CAD each are available for eligible independent restaurants in Montreal and Toronto. Kerri-Ann Santaguida, Vice President and General Manager of Merchant Services at American Express Canada, emphasized the program's role in fostering long-term growth and community impact. Since its inception in 2022, the program has expanded from five cities to 15, supporting over 230 restaurants with more than $4.5 million CAD in grants.

Previous recipients, like Toronto's First and Last Coffee Shop, have used the funding to enhance operations, expand seating, and upgrade equipment. Owner Sharon Nutzati highlighted how the grant enabled the café to serve more customers while maintaining its community-focused atmosphere. David Downey, Executive Director of IDA Foundation, praised the program's global influence in strengthening local economies.

Independent restaurant owners interested in applying can visit downtown.org/foundation for more information. The program reflects American Express's commitment to backing small businesses and IDA's mission to support vibrant urban communities.