American Express Foundation
The American Express Foundation is the philanthropic arm of American Express Company, a global financial services organization. Founded in 1954, the Foundation operates from its headquarters at 200 Vesey Street, 48th Floor, New York, NY 10285-1000. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided over $1 billion to charitable causes worldwide. The organization's philanthropic work is conducted through both the Foundation and American Express's Community Impact Mission, supporting customers, colleagues, and communities by helping them achieve their aspirations and strengthening their communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$48.9M
-31.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$23.2M
-9.9% YoY
Grant Count
1,495
-84.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+472.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, American Express Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to support customers, colleagues, and communities by helping them achieve their aspirations and helping their communities thrive. The Foundation operates around three strategic funding priorities:
- Backing Equal Futures: Youth workforce development initiatives
- Backing Small Businesses: Supporting small business owners and disaster recovery efforts
- Backing Low-Carbon Communities: Climate resilience and disaster preparedness
The Foundation also emphasizes community giving and volunteering efforts, with colleagues across the globe participating in volunteer events throughout the year.
Grantmaking
The Foundation works with strategic partners aligned with its focus areas and typically supports large, national, and international organizations that are established and can demonstrate scalability. Grantees are expected to have strong financial documentation and proven ability to demonstrate success of previous work.
Grant Range
**: $25,000 - $500,000
Invitation Only
**: Invitation-only; no public application process. Organizations may introduce themselves via email at communitygiving@aexp.com for introductions only, though response is not guaranteed and organizations should expect contact only if there is mutual interest in further conversation.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation prioritizes funding in U.S. locations including:
- South Florida
- Greater Phoenix
- New York City
- Salt Lake City
- Washington DC
Additionally, the Foundation funds in 17 international countries where American Express operates. Geographic focus reflects areas where the company maintains operations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $71,012,960 (2024)
Annual Giving: $25,711,713 (2024)
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Private Foundation
EIN: 13-6123529
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $48,911,085 | $71,012,960 | $45,541,138 |
| Revenue | $1,393,248 | $51,293,531 | $704,482 |
| Expenses | $23,495,123 | $25,823,209 | $21,399,135 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $23,465,123 | $25,823,209 | $21,399,135 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,143,248 | $1,493,531 | $701,143 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,096,926 | $2,021,106 | $2,926,556 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ja Worldwide Inc ($597,425), Earthwatch Institute Inc ($451), Year up Inc ($264).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MIRACLE LEAGUE OF WESTCHESTER INC NEW ROCHELLE, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20 |
| FUNDACION SAVE A SATO INC SAN JUAN, PR | GENERAL SUPPORT | $16 |
| AMHERST COLLEGE TRUSTEES AMHERST, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $63 |
| AMERICAN BLADDER CANCER SOCIETY DALTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $33 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MASS METROWEST INC WORCESTER, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $24 |
| UDAVUM KARANGAL OF USA BEDFORD, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $24 |
| NEUROFIBROMATOSIS INCORPORATED NORTHEAST BURLINGTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $24 |
| MELANOMA EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC PEABODY, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $22 |
| AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE RESEARCH FOUNDATION CANTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $16 |
| ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF BOSTON DEDHAM, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAUREEN SEEGER | TRUSTEE | 0.12 | — |
| STEPHEN J SQUERI | TRUSTEE | 0.12 | — |
| JENNIFER SKYLER | CHAIR AND TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| DAVID A KANAREK | COUNSEL | 0.12 | — |
| KERRI BERNSTEIN | COMPTROLLER | 0.04 | — |
| MADHULIKA THOMAS | PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE | 0.08 | — |
| CHRISTOPHE Y LE CAILLEC | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND TRUSTEE | 0.12 | — |
| ALICE LIN FABIANO RESIGNED JULY 24 | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 0.12 | — |
| LAURA STUART | DEPUTY TREASURER AND SECRETARY | 1.35 | — |
| AMMA ANAMAN APPT DEC 24 | DEPUTY COUNSEL | 0.12 | — |
| ALICE JOWETT APPT DEC 24 | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 0.12 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
American Express launched the American Express Leadership Academy as a hallmark program
American Express to Provide $3.95M in Support for Restaurants Worldwide\The Foundation provided $3.95 million in support for restaurants worldwide through 2025 "Backing Small" grant programs
American Express to Provide $3.95M in Support for Restaurants Worldwide\Junior Achievement received $820,000 from the Foundation to empower financial confidence in today's youth
Junior Achievement Receives $820,000 from American Express Foundation toAmerican Express pledged $2 million to the United Negro College Fund to advance opportunities for students in underrepresented communities
American Express to Provide $3.95M in Support for Restaurants Worldwide\Small Business Saturday, founded by American Express in 2010, has generated an estimated $223 billion in total reported spend at small businesses in the U.S. since tracking began
American Express to Provide $3.95M in Support for Restaurants Worldwide\Frequently Asked Questions
What does American Express Foundation fund?
The Foundation's mission is to support customers, colleagues, and communities by helping them achieve their aspirations and helping their communities thrive. The Foundation operates around three strategic funding priorities: • **Backing Equal Futures**: Youth workforce development initiatives • **Backing Small Businesses**: Supporting small business owners and disaster recovery efforts • **Backing Low-Carbon Communities**: Climate resilience and disaster preparedness The Foundation also emphasi…
How do I apply for a grant from American Express Foundation?
**Grant Range**: $25,000 - $500,000 **Application Process**: Invitation-only; no public application process. Organizations may introduce themselves via email at communitygiving@aexp.com for introductions only, though response is not guaranteed and organizations should expect contact only if there is mutual interest in further conversation. **Grant Activity**: In 2024, the Foundation distributed approximately $25.7 million through over 9,000 grants. **Recent Grants**: • Junior Achievement receiv…
Where does American Express Foundation make grants?
The Foundation prioritizes funding in U.S. locations including: • South Florida • Greater Phoenix • New York City • Salt Lake City • Washington DC Additionally, the Foundation funds in 17 international countries where American Express operates. Geographic focus reflects areas where the company maintains operations.
What size grants does American Express Foundation award?
In 2024, American Express Foundation awarded 1,495 grants totaling $23.2M — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is American Express Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, American Express Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is American Express Foundation's EIN?
American Express Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6123529. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in American Express Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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