American Express Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 13-6123529 · since 1956americanexpress.com/en-us/company/corporate-sustainability/community-impact·International·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$23.2M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

$24 to $1,000

Grant range

From grants in the 990-PF filings

$40

Typical grant (median)

1,495 grants in the latest filing

Open to applications

Rolling, no deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

The foundation's stated priority is around the world, and its themes of small business support, nonprofit leadership and disaster relief are the best test of fit before you write.
About 8 in 10 of its 20,125 grants to organisations fall between $24 and $1,000, so a modest request fits, though that band is typical rather than a ceiling, since one grant reached about $3,450,000.
The filing asks for a project description covering target groups, needs, objectives, activities and timetable, a detailed project budget, proof of nonprofit status and board details, so have these ready before you make contact.
The filing gives no deadlines, but 95% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in earlier filings, so it leans towards groups it already knows, and a new applicant should expect a slower route without being put off by being new.

Overview

American Express Foundation is a US private foundation based in New York, NY.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 12 October 2026.

Priority Areas

American Express describes its Community Impact programmes as supporting small business owners and non-profit leaders, helping communities affected by natural disasters and engaging colleagues in community giving and volunteering. It says this work equips small businesses and non-profits with resources to grow and innovate, prepare for tomorrow and overcome challenges, while backing local champions who strengthen their communities and help economies thrive. American Express says charitable causes around the world receive support through the Foundation and its Corporate Giving Program. The company presents this as a longstanding commitment to serving communities.

Themes

Small business support
Nonprofit leadership
Disaster relief

Geographic Focus

Priority: Around the world.

How to apply

The filing asks organisations for a project description covering target groups, needs, objectives, activities and timetable, plus a detailed project budget, proof of nonprofit status and board details.

Application success factors

Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 95% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 20,125 grants to organisations were $100 or less.

Where grants go

From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.

Grant dollars by state

New York25%

District of Columbia17%

Delaware11%

California6%

Arizona5%

Virginia4%

6 other states: 14%

Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 17%

The largest single recipient received 11% of grant dollars to organisations.
In tax year 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to organisations American Express Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
2% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (Canada, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia).
47% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

1,495 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $40

How much do they typically give?

Share of 1,495 grants in tax year 2024 by size

Under $1k94%

$1k–$2.5k1%

$2.5k–$5k1%

$5k–$10k<1%

$10k–$25k<1%

$25k–$50k1%

$50k–$100k1%

$100k–$250k1%

$250k–$500k1%

$500k–$1M<1%

$1M and over<1%

Median $40 (tax year 2024)

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

Common Purpose Charitable Trust · American express leadership academies
$3,446,8172024 tax year
American Online Giving Foundation · 2024 amex give2gether float funding
$1,925,0002024 tax year
American Online Giving Foundation · 2024 amex give2gether float funding
$1,825,0002024 tax year
American Online Giving Foundation · 2024 amex give2gether float funding
$1,450,0002024 tax year
International Rescue Committee · Workforce integration for newcomers (win) 2.0
$1,000,0002024 tax year
American Online Giving Foundation · 2024 amex give2gether float funding
$800,0002024 tax year
Ocean Conservancy · Trash free seas, resilient communities
$785,0002024 tax year
American National Red Cross · Designated disaster relief fund
$750,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Officers and directors

Alice Jowett Appt Dec 24 — Chief Operating Officer
Amma Anaman Appt Dec 24 — Deputy Counsel
Laura Stuart — Deputy Treasurer And Secretary
Alice Lin Fabiano Resigned July 24 — Chief Operating Officer
Christophe Y Le Caillec — Chief Financial Officer And Trustee
Madhulika Thomas — President And Trustee
Kerri Bernstein — Comptroller
David A Kanarek — Counsel
Jennifer Skyler — Chair And Trustee
Stephen J Squeri — Trustee
Laureen Seeger — Trustee

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$21,399,135	$21,223,746	$45,541,138	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$25,823,209	$25,711,713	$71,012,960	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$23,495,123	$23,154,432	$48,911,085	Filing for 2024 tax year

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.