Amex, IDA Foundation Back Small Restaurants with Over $1.5 Million in Grants

American Express and the International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation are marking five years of backing international small restaurants through their grants program. The program has awarded over $3.2 million to more than 230 independent restaurants across nine countries since its inception in 2022.

The grants support small, independent restaurants as they grow, recover, and contribute to local communities. This year's expansion includes Italy for the first time, with a planned award of more than $1.5 million to over 100 restaurants. The program aims to strengthen operations and long-term resilience in these businesses.

Since its launch, the Backing International Small Restaurants grants program has seen growth from five cities in five countries to 15 cities across nine countries. Restaurant owners like Ash Kinchin of The Tea Cosy in Sydney, Australia, have credited the grant with helping them transform their outdoor space into a communal knitting initiative.