Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program 2025

Grant Overview

Fuel Your Historic Restaurant’s Future: Secure $50,000 for Improvements and Operations with Support from American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Donor: National Trust for Historic Preservation, American Express

About: The Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program, a highly impactful initiative now proudly entering its fifth year, represents a vital collaboration between American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This program is fundamentally dedicated to the support and elevation of small or independently owned historic restaurants spread across the United States. These establishments are far more than mere dining spots; they serve as crucial, tangible links to the rich histories of our communities, significantly shaping and defining their neighborhood’s unique identity and character. For restaurant owners passionate about preserving their legacy and enhancing their operational capabilities, exploring diverse grant services can offer invaluable assistance in navigating the often complex application processes and securing necessary funding.

Acknowledging the persistent economic challenges, unforeseen disasters, and various other hardships that these essential establishments frequently encounter, the program is strategically designed to provide critical financial support. Each of the 50 carefully selected restaurants will be awarded a $50,000 grant, empowering them to address crucial operational and structural needs, thereby enabling them to improve their businesses and generate a lasting positive impact within their local communities. This funding can prove to be a crucial lifeline for brick-and-mortar stores, which often stand as the vibrant heart of local areas. Since its inception, the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program has impressively distributed nearly $5.7 million to 130 historic restaurants, underscoring a steadfast and ongoing commitment to the preservation of these invaluable culinary landmarks and cultural cornerstones. Many businesses also explore grant research options to identify all available opportunities.

Empowering Restaurants: How the Grant Works

The $50,000 grant is meticulously structured to offer comprehensive and multifaceted support to recipient restaurants. A significant portion of these funds, specifically at least $40,000, must be strategically allocated towards exterior, public-facing improvements to the historic building housing the restaurant. This can encompass a wide array of impactful projects, such as the restoration of historic murals, vital awning upgrades, the installation of new and historically appropriate lighting, significant signage improvements, professional facade painting or cleaning, and the thoughtful creation or enhancement of outdoor seating areas designed to welcome more patrons. A particularly exciting aspect of this funding is that up to $10,000 of this $40,000 portion can be utilized to engage a qualified preservation partner. This partner could be a local preservation organization, a State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), or a specialized consultant, who can help scope, manage, or collaborate on the improvement project, ensuring its success and historical accuracy. Finding the right restaurant grant can be transformative for undertaking such essential preservation and enhancement endeavors.

Beyond the focus on physical improvements, up to $10,000 of the total grant sum can be flexibly used for unrestricted purposes. This may include covering general operating expenses, investing in staff training, marketing initiatives, or addressing other pressing business-related costs, thereby offering restaurants the agility to meet their most diverse and immediate needs. Furthermore, selected restaurants will gain the significant benefit of receiving technical assistance, expert guidance, and constructive feedback on their proposed exterior improvements directly from the experienced staff at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This ensures that all projects not only enhance the establishment but also meticulously align with established preservation standards and best practices. This holistic support system clearly highlights the program’s profound dedication, extending beyond mere financial aid to actively guiding and nurturing these historic establishments. Navigating the complexities of grant applications can often be a daunting task, which is precisely why many restaurant owners turn to professional grant writing services for specialized assistance and to improve their chances of success.

Who Can Apply: Understanding Eligibility

To be considered eligible for this prestigious grant, a restaurant must be a small, independently owned establishment physically located within a designated historic or older building or a recognized historic neighborhood within the United States. A core requirement is that the restaurant actively contributes to the historical narrative and/or the distinct identity of its surrounding community. It should aim to tell an inclusive and compelling story about cuisine and community in America, perhaps by highlighting cherished historic food traditions or unique culinary heritage. The establishment must possess an inspiring historical narrative or demonstrable cultural significance and should have been disproportionately impacted by economic challenges, natural disasters, or other significant hardships. Operationally, the business must employ fewer than 100 individuals and must not be a part of a national franchise. For restaurants operating in leased spaces, formal consent from the building owner will be a necessary prerequisite if the grant is awarded. A clear understanding of how to apply for grants and meticulously preparing all required documentation is a fundamental step in this competitive process.

Application Process and Community Endorsement

Restaurant owners are encouraged to apply directly for this grant program. Alternatively, preservation partners, such as local historical societies or community development corporations, may also submit applications in close collaboration with an eligible restaurant. While public nominations are welcomed and serve the valuable purpose of raising awareness about deserving establishments, it is crucial to understand that only those restaurants that complete and submit a full, detailed application will be formally considered for the grant. Although strong community support, demonstrated through nominations or letters of support, is not the sole determinant for selection, it is a factor that is given due consideration as it effectively demonstrates the restaurant’s positive local impact and its importance to the community fabric. The official application period concludes sharply at 11:59 PM ET on May 30, 2025. For applicants seeking to significantly strengthen their proposal with a compelling narrative, robust financial projections, and a polished presentation, Grantaura offers expert business plan development and meticulous financial preparation services. Our dedicated team can also provide comprehensive assistance throughout the entire grant application journey, from initial research and strategy to final submission, ensuring your historic restaurant presents its most compelling case. We encourage you to schedule a consultation to explore how our specialized services can support your application and help you achieve your funding goals. Many for-profit businesses find such support invaluable.

Focus: Historic Preservation, Small Business Support, Restaurant Improvement, Community Development, Culinary Heritage, Economic Recovery, Independent Restaurants

Region: United States

Eligibility:
– Must be a small or independently owned restaurant.
– Physically located in a historic or older building or neighborhood within the United States.
– Demonstrably contributes to the history and/or identity of its surrounding community or neighborhood.
– Tells an inclusive and engaging story about cuisine and community in America, potentially highlighting historic food traditions or unique culinary heritage.
– Possesses a compelling and inspiring historical narrative or clear cultural significance.
– Must have been disproportionately impacted by economic challenges, disasters, or other significant hardships.
– Employs fewer than 100 individuals.
– Legally recognized as a business entity (not a sole contractor or self-employed individual without business registration).
– Must not be part of a national franchise.
– If the restaurant operates in a leased space, building owner consent forms will be mandatory if selected for the grant.
– All proposed rehabilitation and/or preservation work must be submitted to and receive advance approval from the National Trust.
– All improvement projects must be conducted in strict accordance with local design guidelines and preservation standards.

Benefits:
– A $50,000 grant awarded to each selected restaurant.
— A minimum of $40,000 is designated for exterior, public-facing improvements to the historic building. Examples include:
— Murals (restoration or new, historically appropriate)
— Awnings (repair or replacement)
— Lighting (upgrades to historically sensitive and efficient fixtures)
— Signage (enhancements or new, period-appropriate signs)
— Facade work (painting, cleaning, repair of historic materials)
— Outdoor seating areas (creation or improvement)
— Website updates for enhanced operations may also be considered under this category.
— Up to $10,000 of the $40,000 allocated for exterior improvements can be used to support the engagement of a qualified preservation partner.
– Up to $10,000 of the total grant amount can be utilized for unrestricted purposes, such as:
— General operating expenses
— Staff payroll or training
— Marketing and promotion
— Inventory or equipment not covered under exterior improvements
— Other critical business-related expenses.
– Access to technical assistance, professional guidance, and constructive feedback from National Trust for Historic Preservation staff regarding proposed exterior improvement and restoration projects.
– Potential for valuable media coverage and spotlight features by the National Trust and American Express on their respective platforms.

Deadline: June 2, 2025

Terms:
– NTHP: National Trust for Historic Preservation – A private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in the USA, dedicated to saving and protecting America’s diverse historic places and revitalizing communities. It is a co-presenter of this grant program.
– American Express: A globally recognized financial services company, co-presenter of this grant, known for its strong commitment to backing small businesses and supporting community initiatives.
– Preservation Partner: An eligible entity that can assist the restaurant with their improvement project. Examples include, but are not limited to:
— State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO)
— Local preservation organizations or historical societies
— Main Street organizations
— Preservation consultants with relevant expertise
— Architectural organizations or firms with demonstrated preservation experience (e.g., a local AIA chapter with a Historic Resource Committee).
– Exterior Improvements: Enhancements made to the public-facing aspects of the historic building housing the restaurant. These projects aim to improve the building’s appearance, structural integrity, and historical character.
– Certificate of Good Standing: An official document issued by a state’s Secretary of State office (or an equivalent state agency) which serves as proof that a business entity is properly registered, has met its statutory filing requirements, and is authorized to conduct business in that state. Some states may refer to this as a “Certificate of Existence” or “Certificate of Status.”
– Low-Income Census Tract: A geographic area defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) where either at least 50% of households have incomes below 60% of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI), or the poverty rate is 25% or more. While information on how to check this is provided by the grant program, it’s a specific consideration rather than a universal mandatory requirement for all applicants.