American Express and IDA Foundation Mark Five Years of Backing International Small Restaurants and Launch 2026 Applications
Program returns to Canada for fifth year, awarding more than $2 million CAD in grants to over 100 independent restaurants globally
TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2026 /CNW/ -- American Express and the International Downtown Association Foundation (IDA) today launched this year's Backing International Small Restaurants grants program, open for applications through November 16, 2026. Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the program will award more than $2 million CAD to over 100 independent restaurants across nine countries.
"American Express has long recognized the important role independent restaurants play in creating strong, vibrant communities, and we're proud to continue standing behind them," said Kerri-Ann Santaguida, Vice President and General Manager, Merchant Services, American Express Canada. "This program is about giving restaurant owners the support to invest in their businesses today while building toward long-term growth, helping ensure they can continue creating meaningful and lasting impact in their communities."
In Montreal and Toronto, eligible independent restaurants can apply for one of 20 grants of $20,000 CAD each to help their businesses grow, recover and support their local communities. The program is launched in partnership with International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation, which will administer the program locally.
The Backing International Small Restaurants grants program supports small, independent restaurants as they grow, recover and support their local communities, including investments that strengthen their operations and long-term resilience. Since 2022, Backing International Small Restaurants has grown from five cities in five countries to 15 cities across nine countries, including the UK, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Spain, France and for the first time this year, Italy.
Over the past four years, the Backing International Small Restaurants grants program has provided more than $4.5 million CAD in grants to more than 230 restaurants. Funding has helped restaurant owners make critical improvements, from enhancing digital capabilities and refreshing dining spaces to modernizing kitchen operations. These upgrades can help create a lasting impact that extends beyond their businesses to the communities they serve.
First and Last Coffee Shop, a neighborhood café and community gathering place in Toronto, Canada, received a Backing International Small Restaurants grant in 2024. The grant helped the café expand seating and upgrade kitchen equipment, enabling it to increase production and serve more customers. "The Backing International Small Restaurants grant gave us the opportunity to invest in our space in ways that have made an enduring difference for our business," says Sharon Nutzati, Owner, First and Last Coffee Shop. "Since then, we've been able to welcome more people, grow our sales and operate more efficiently, while preserving the inviting atmosphere of First and Last. As our business has grown, so has our ability to bring the neighborhood together."
The experiences of Backing International Small Restaurants grantees reflect the program's broader impact on independent restaurants and their communities.
"As we celebrate five years of Backing International Small Restaurants, we're proud of the program's growth and impact on independent restaurants around the world," said David Downey, Executive Director, IDA Foundation. "We continue to be inspired by our grantees, whose passion and leadership help make neighbourhoods vibrant and connected. With the ongoing support of American Express, we're helping strengthen local economies and communities across the globe."
Independent restaurant owners can learn more about the program and submit their applications through November 16, 2026at 11:59 p.m. ET, by visiting downtown.org/foundation.
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS CANADA
American Express (NYSE: AXP) is a global payments and premium 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, American Express' brand is built on trust, security, service, and a rich history of delivering innovation and Membership value for our customers. 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, and we build and manage relationships with millions of merchants across our global network.
For more information about American Express in Canada, visit amex.ca, americanexpress.com/en-us/newsroom/ and ir.americanexpress.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
ABOUT 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 neighbourhoods and liveable urban places for all. For more information, please visit downtown.org/foundation and follow IDA Foundation on LinkedIn and X.
SOURCE American Express Canada
American Express: Alex Ford, [email protected]; International Downtown Association Foundation: Allison Shashok, [email protected]
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