American Express Foundation
Looking for American Express grants for nonprofits? American Express Foundation is American Express's company-sponsored foundation, and this page covers the grants it reports to the IRS on Form 990-PF.
American Express Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, New York. American Express says its community impact work supports small business owners and nonprofit leaders, helps communities affected by natural disasters, and engages colleagues in giving and volunteering; its philanthropic legacy continues through the Foundation and the company’s Corporate Giving Program.
American Express Foundation at a glance
In short: American Express Foundation gave $23.2M across 1,495 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), top state Delaware. 2% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $23,154,432
- -9.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1,495
- -84.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,488
- +472.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $40
- Total assets
- $48,911,085
- -31.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 2% first-time grantees (27 of 1,434, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Delaware (28% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to American Express Foundation
- How to Apply
The filing lists American Express Philanthropy as the contact for requests and describes materials to submit: the organization’s name and address; contact person and title; geographic area served; history of previous…
The filing lists American Express Philanthropy as the contact for requests and describes materials to submit: the organization’s name and address; contact person and title; geographic area served; history of previous support from American Express philanthropic programs, the Foundation, or an American Express subsidiary; amount requested; project description, including target groups, needs, objectives, activities, and timetable; detailed project budget; proof of nonprofit status and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt notification; board of directors; latest annual report or, if unavailable, a description of the organization’s mission and latest accomplishments; and funding sources. The filing lists no award restrictions. It does not list a deadline.
- Contact
Application contact: American Express Philanthropy
Mailing address: Amex Tower World Financial Center, New York, NY 10285-4804
Phone: (212) 225-1716
Website: https://americanexpress.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who American Express Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Online Giving Foundation Inc ($6.5M across 6 grants). Together the top 10 received $17.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 9 grants to individuals ($945), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
42,973 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42,538 grants of 42,973 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation is based in New York, New York. In 2024, the largest reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Delaware (28%), New York (23%), an unspecified state category (16%), the District of Columbia (15%), and Florida (3%). Listed recipients were also located in Massachusetts, Arizona, and other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 1,495 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is American Express Foundation open to new grantees?
2%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 27 of 1,434 grantees (2%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $548K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $33 repeat.
- 97% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 20% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 758% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $19.3M (2021) to $25.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 1,495 grants totaling $23.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Common Purpose Charitable Trust | American Express Leadership Academies | $3,446,817 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc Newark, DE | 2024 Amex GIVE2GETHER Float Funding | $1,925,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc Newark, DE | 2024 Amex GIVE2GETHER Float Funding | $1,825,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc Newark, DE | 2024 Amex GIVE2GETHER Float Funding | $1,450,000 |
| International Rescue Committee Inc New York, NY | Workforce Integration for Newcomers (Win) 2.0 | $1,000,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc Newark, DE | 2024 Amex GIVE2GETHER Float Funding | $800,000 |
| Ocean Conservancy Inc Washington, DC | Trash Free Seas, Resilient Communities | $785,000 |
| American National Red Cross Washington, DC | Designated Disaster Relief Fund | $750,000 |
| United Negro College Fund Inc Washington, DC | American Express Building Better Futures Program | $665,000 |
| Ja Worldwide Inc Boston, MA | Shaping a Resilient and Confident Financial Future | $597,425 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Foundation stated in its 2024 filing that its assets declined by more than 25% during the year as a result of grantmaking, and that it had no plans to liquidate, terminate, or dissolve.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $48,911,085 | $1,393,248 | $23,495,123 | $23,154,432 | 1,495 | $23,465,123 | $1,143,248 | $3,096,926 |
| 2023 | $71,012,960 | $51,293,531 | $25,823,209 | $25,711,713 | 9,499 | $25,823,209 | $1,493,531 | $2,021,106 |
| 2022 | $45,541,138 | $704,482 | $21,399,135 | $21,223,746 | 9,131 | $21,399,135 | $701,143 | $2,926,556 |
| 2021 | $66,234,265 | $62,922,703 | $19,418,381 | $19,283,060 | 10,739 | $19,418,381 | $2,411 | $1,285,259 |
| 2020 | $22,729,943 | $3,178,700 | $23,647,015 | $23,457,211 | 12,109 | — | $182,964 | $1,669,677 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available information does not state a separate mission for the Foundation. American Express describes its broader community impact programs as backing customers, colleagues, and communities. Its website highlights support for small businesses and nonprofits, disaster relief, and colleague giving and volunteering. The company also describes grant programs supporting small business recovery and small businesses in the restaurant sector.
The Foundation’s 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. The International Rescue Committee says it responds to humanitarian crises and helps people affected by conflict and disaster recover. Ocean Conservancy says it works to protect the ocean through science, people, and policy. UNCF describes its mission as supporting underrepresented students through college and strengthening its member institutions. JA Worldwide says it prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. Other 2024 grantees included organizations whose stated missions address Latino and other vulnerable communities, children, access to careers, and community needs in health, housing, education, and workforce development.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 1,495 grants totaling $23,154,432. Grant amounts ranged from $1 to $3,446,817, with a median grant of $40. Among the largest listed awards were $3,446,817 to Common Purpose Charitable Trust for an individual recipient; four grants totaling $6,000,000 to American Online Giving Foundation for 2024 AMEX Give2Gether Float Funding; and $1,000,000 to the International Rescue Committee for Workforce Integration for Newcomers (WIN) 2.0.
Other notable grants included $785,000 to Ocean Conservancy for Trash Free Seas, Resilient Communities; $750,000 to the American National Red Cross for a designated disaster relief fund; $665,000 to UNCF for the American Express Building Better Futures Program; $597,425 to JA Worldwide for Shaping a Resilient and Confident Financial Future; and $500,000 each to Covenant House and Hispanic Federation for the purposes listed in the filing.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jennifer Skyler as chair and trustee, and Madhulika Thomas as president and trustee. Trustees also include Laureen Seeger and Stephen J. Squeri. Christophe Y. Le Caillec is listed as chief financial officer and trustee; David A. Kanarek as counsel; Kerri Bernstein as comptroller; Laura Stuart as deputy treasurer and secretary; and Amma Anaman as deputy counsel, appointed in December 2024. Alice Lin Fabiano is listed as chief operating officer, with a notation that she resigned in July.
American Express Foundation is led by Madhulika Thomas, President & Trustee on every filing since 2022; none of the 10 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Madhulika Thomas
President & Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Skyler
Chair & Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laureen Seeger
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen J. Squeri
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christophe Y. Le Caillec
Chief Financial Officer & Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David A. Kanarek
Counsel
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alice Lin Fabiano Appt Dec
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kerri Bernstein
Comptroller
On filings since 2023
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amma Anaman Appt Dec
Deputy Counsel
New on the 2024 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Stuart
Deputy Treasurer & Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
1.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Alice Lin Fabiano (2024) — Chief Operating Officer · Filing note: Resigned July 24
- Former: Jeff Campbell (2020–2023) — Treasurer & Trustee · Filing note: Resigned dec 23
- Former: Mary Ellen Craig (2020–2023) — Comptroller & Secretary · Filing note: Resigned mar 23
- Former: Louis S. Nunes (2021–2023) — Counsel · Filing note: Resigned apr 23
- Former: Christophe Y. Le Caillec Appt Dec (2023) — Chief Financial Officer & Trustee
- Former: Laura Stuart Appt Dec (2023) — Deputy Treasurer & Secretary
- Former: Vivian Zhou (2020–2022) — Assistant Treasurer · Filing note: Resigned jun 22
- Former: Kerri Bernstein Elected Dec (2022) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Richard A. Brown (2020–2021) — Assistant Secretary · Filing note: Resigned dec 21
- Former: Timothy J. McClimon (2020–2021) — President & Trustee · Filing note: Resigned aug 21
- Former: Madhulika Thomas Elected Aug (2021) — President & Trustee
- Former: Tammy Fried (2020) — Counsel
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about American Express Foundation
How much does American Express Foundation give each year?
American Express Foundation gave $23.2M across 1,495 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $25.7M across 9,499 grants.
What is American Express Foundation's typical grant size?
American Express Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $40, and its average grant was $15,488, across 1,495 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from American Express Foundation that year got $548K on average.
Where does American Express Foundation give grants?
American Express Foundation's top state is Delaware, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (23%) and District of Columbia (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (167 grants), Phoenix, AZ (147 grants), Washington, DC (52 grants) and Scottsdale, AZ (37 grants).
Does American Express Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 96% of American Express Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1,429 of 1,495) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "2024 Amex GIVE2GETHER Float Funding" (4 grants).
Who are American Express Foundation's largest grantees?
American Express Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include American Online Giving Foundation Inc ($6,550,000 across 6 grants), Common Purpose Charitable Trust ($3,446,817) and Myriad USA Inc ($1,571,006 across 9 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 9 grants to individuals ($945), which are not listed by name. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is American Express Foundation?
American Express Foundation reported $48.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $23.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does American Express Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a separate mission for the Foundation. American Express describes its broader community impact programs as backing customers, colleagues, and communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from American Express Foundation?
The filing lists American Express Philanthropy as the contact for requests and describes materials to submit: the organization’s name and address; contact person and title; geographic area served; history of previous… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does American Express give grants to nonprofits?
Yes. American Express Foundation, American Express's company-sponsored foundation, awarded 1,495 grants totaling $23.2M in 2024, according to its IRS Form 990-PF. American Express may also give through corporate programs that are not reported on the foundation's 990.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). American Express Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/american-express-foundation-morg_b351425f13a04754a38661e933138c42
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136123529_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{American Express Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/american-express-foundation-morg_b351425f13a04754a38661e933138c42},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from American Express Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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