The American Express Foundation in this snapshot demonstrates a strategic, programmatic commitment to leadership development by making a single, large grant to Common Purpose Charitable Trust. This indicates the foundation is willing to fund capacity- and leadership-building initiatives that likely have cross-sector or workforce implications rather than many small community grants. The award aligns with corporate philanthropy that invests in developing leaders who can drive civic, business, and social impact.
American Express Foundation’s recent grantmaking is anchored by a six-month leadership pipeline delivered through Common Purpose Charitable Trust. In 2024, the foundation made two large awards to that grantee, including $2,090,000 and $1,130,360, both tied to developing leaders. That pattern points to a funder that invests in people and institutions that can strengthen civic, nonprofit, and cross-sector capacity rather than dispersing support broadly across many unrelated causes. The foundation also uses grantmaking to back equal futures, climate work, and community support. Recent awards include multiple seven-figure or high-six-figure grants to organizations such as International Rescue Committee Inc, Ocean Conservancy Inc, and United Negro College Fund Inc. Smaller but still substantial grants appear for financial confidence, disaster response, and community service center support. Across the recent list, the foundation shows a consistent preference for organizations with national or international reach and for programs that build skills, resilience, or public-facing services. The structure of the portfolio suggests a corporate foundation that combines programmatic philanthropy with employee-linked giving, while keeping a strong emphasis on capacity building and leadership development.
Leadership development is the clearest theme in the recent grants. American Express Foundation gave $2,090,000 and $1,130,360 to Common Purpose Charitable Trust for developing leaders, reinforcing a long-form investment in nonprofit leadership rather than short-term project work. A second area is equal futures and empowerment. The foundation awarded $1,000,000 to International Rescue Committee Inc for backing equal futures, and gave $665,000 to United Negro College Fund Inc for the same theme in 2024. In earlier giving, it also supported United States Fund for UNICEF and Hispanic Federation Inc under that same category. The foundation also funds climate-related work and community infrastructure. Ocean Conservancy Inc received $905,000 in 2023 and $845,000 in 2024 for backing low carbon, while Save the Children Federation Inc received $750,000 for support of community service centers. These grants show activity across both issue advocacy and direct service support.
Typical grant size is small, with a p25 of $50, a median of $110, and a p75 of $320, even though the recent grant list also includes a small set of much larger strategic awards. The foundation’s recent giving includes repeat awards to several grantees across 2023 and 2024, including Common Purpose Charitable Trust, International Rescue Committee Inc, Ocean Conservancy Inc, United Negro College Fund Inc, United States Fund for UNICEF, Hispanic Federation Inc, American National Red Cross, and Valley of the Sun United Way. It is a Regular Funder and also funds individuals through its corporate and programmatic giving structure. Unsolicited applications are accepted for the American Express Leadership Academy program, while the corporate grantmaking and employee matching programs do not accept unsolicited requests.
$46.9M
$48.9M
$1.4M
$23.5M
Most grants fall between $50 and $320, with a median of $110.
25th Percentile
$50
Median
$110
75th Percentile
$320
About 20% of grants go to recipients in IL.
Top 6 recipient countries by grant volume for American Express Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 18,614 | $41.5M | 99.9% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 7 | $4.1M |
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Concentrated and strategic: a single large grant rather than many small awards, suggesting targeted support for a priority program or partner organization rather than broad, distributed giving.
Notable grantees: Common Purpose Charitable Trust
Grant activity is national, with 99.9% of grants going to U.S. recipients and a smaller number to the UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Asia, and Senegal. Illinois is the top state by grant count, while New York receives 20% of grants. Named recipient locations in the recent list include Chicago, New York, Washington, DC, Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, Fairfield, Los Angeles, and Boston. The list also reaches London through Common Purpose Charitable Trust, showing that the foundation’s support is not limited to U.S. organizations.
The clearest pattern is leadership development. Common Purpose Charitable Trust received two large 2024 grants of $2,090,000 and $1,130,360 for developing leaders, and the foundation’s broader program descriptions also emphasize nonprofit leadership development and capacity building.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Common Purpose Charitable Trust, International Rescue Committee Inc, Ocean Conservancy Inc, United Negro College Fund Inc, United States Fund for UNICEF, Hispanic Federation Inc, American National Red Cross, and Valley of the Sun United Way. That suggests repeat relationships rather than one-off awards only.
The grant-size distribution is highly skewed toward small awards: p25 is $50, median is $110, and p75 is $320. At the same time, the recent grant list includes much larger strategic grants, including seven-figure awards tied to leadership, equal futures, and other program areas.
Unsolicited applications are accepted for the American Express Leadership Academy program. The corporate grantmaking and employee matching programs are listed as not accepting unsolicited requests.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, while New York receives 20% of grants. The recipient country distribution is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with only small numbers of grants going to the UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Asia, and Senegal.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
0.0% |
| 3 | Canada | 6 | $950K | 0.0% |
| 4 | Hong Kong | 3 | $140K | 0.0% |
| 5 | Australia | 2 | $75K | 0.0% |
| 6 | Singapore | 1 | $300K | 0.0% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Current and upcoming funding from American Express Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Targets leaders of nonprofit organizations. Specific participant eligibility, selection criteria, and any program fees or scholarships are provided by the program operator (Common Purpose).
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMON PURPOSE CHARITABLE TRUST (498231) | LONDON | $2,090,000 | 2024 | DEVELOPING LEADERS |
| AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC (514801) - DAF | NEWARK, DE | $1,250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMON PURPOSE CHARITABLE TRUST (498231) | LONDON | $1,130,360 | 2024 | DEVELOPING LEADERS |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE INC (464276) | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| OCEAN CONSERVANCY INC (501145) | WASHINGTON, DC | $845,000 | 2024 | BACKIING LOW CARBON |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC (464186) | FAIRFIELD, CT | $750,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM (514794) | NEW YORK, NY | $750,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS |
| UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND INC (462541) | WASHINGTON, DC | $665,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| JA WORLDWIDE INC (498850) | BOSTON, MA | $568,046 | 2024 | BUILD FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE |
| HIAS INC (514796) | SILVER SPRING, MD | $500,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS |
| HISPANIC FEDERATION INC (463668) | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS (461619) | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS |
| UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF (467017) | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS |
| INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS (496110) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2024 | BACKIING LOW CARBON |
| COVENANT HOUSE (466929) | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF (467017) | NEW YORK, NY | $450,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| UNITED WAY OF BROWARD COUNTY (460553) | FT LAUDERDALE, FL | $440,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS |
| VALLEY OF THE SUN UNITED WAY (460575) | PHOENIX, AZ | $410,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA (514788) | TAMPA, FL | $390,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| GIVE2ASIA (460917) | OAKLAND, CA | $375,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA INC (465087) | ST PETER, MN | $287,125 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT USA (459293) | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $276,000 | 2024 | BUILD FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC (464186) | FAIRFIELD, CT | $265,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC (514801) - DAF | NEWARK, DE | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION (514790) | LINCOLN, NE | $250,000 | 2024 | BACKIING LOW CARBON |
| RESOURCE FOUNDATION INC THE (459546) | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| CATCHAFIRE FOUNDATION (499255) | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $250,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| FIRST NATIONS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (462033) | LONGMONT, CO | $250,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| MYRIAD USA INC (468028) | NEW YORK, NY | $247,570 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| RESOURCE FOUNDATION INC THE (459546) | NEW YORK, NY | $240,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| VITAL VOICES GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP INC (514792) | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| OCEAN CONSERVANCY INC (501145) | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| GIVE2ASIA (460917) | OAKLAND, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY (503998) | TORONTO | $200,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| RESOURCE FOUNDATION INC THE (459546) | NEW YORK, NY | $172,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| LEADERSHIP EDUCATION FOR ASIAN PACIFICS INC (467260) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $160,000 | 2024 | DEVELOPING LEADERS |
| UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF (467017) | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $131,501 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MYRIAD USA INC (468028) | NEW YORK, NY | $126,939 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| CHC CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $126,626 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE INC (466018) | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| ASIAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND (463909) | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| PINBALL CLEMONS FOUNDATION (514749) | MISSISSAUGA | $125,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| HEAD STRONG PROJECT INC (514793) | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| TEAM RUBICON (496024) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $125,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| PATHWAYS TO EDUCATION (514750) | TORONTO | $125,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS (496110) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $125,000 | 2024 | BACKIING LOW CARBON |
| THE ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION(514789) | WASHINGTON, DC | $125,000 | 2024 | BACKING EQUAL FUTURES |
| MYRIAD USA INC (468028) | NEW YORK, NY | $112,529 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES |
| CHC CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $107,376 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
COMMON PURPOSE CHARITABLE TRUST (498231)
$2,090,000DEVELOPING LEADERS
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC (514801) - DAF
$1,250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMON PURPOSE CHARITABLE TRUST (498231)
$1,130,360DEVELOPING LEADERS
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE INC (464276)
$1,000,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
OCEAN CONSERVANCY INC (501145)
$845,000BACKIING LOW CARBON
SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC (464186)
$750,000SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM (514794)
$750,000SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS
UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND INC (462541)
$665,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
JA WORLDWIDE INC (498850)
$568,046BUILD FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE
HIAS INC (514796)
$500,000SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS
HISPANIC FEDERATION INC (463668)
$500,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS (461619)
$500,000SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS
UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF (467017)
$500,000SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS (496110)
$500,000BACKIING LOW CARBON
COVENANT HOUSE (466929)
$500,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF (467017)
$450,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
UNITED WAY OF BROWARD COUNTY (460553)
$440,000SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS
VALLEY OF THE SUN UNITED WAY (460575)
$410,000SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA (514788)
$390,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
GIVE2ASIA (460917)
$375,000SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA INC (465087)
$287,125SUPPORT FOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT USA (459293)
$276,000BUILD FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE
SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC (464186)
$265,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC (514801) - DAF
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION (514790)
$250,000BACKIING LOW CARBON
RESOURCE FOUNDATION INC THE (459546)
$250,000SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
CATCHAFIRE FOUNDATION (499255)
$250,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
FIRST NATIONS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (462033)
$250,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
MYRIAD USA INC (468028)
$247,570SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
RESOURCE FOUNDATION INC THE (459546)
$240,000SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
VITAL VOICES GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP INC (514792)
$200,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
OCEAN CONSERVANCY INC (501145)
$200,000SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
GIVE2ASIA (460917)
$200,000SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY (503998)
$200,000SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
RESOURCE FOUNDATION INC THE (459546)
$172,500SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
LEADERSHIP EDUCATION FOR ASIAN PACIFICS INC (467260)
$160,000DEVELOPING LEADERS
UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF (467017)
$150,000SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS
$131,501GENERAL SUPPORT
MYRIAD USA INC (468028)
$126,939SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
CHC CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
$126,626GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE INC (466018)
$125,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
ASIAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND (463909)
$125,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
PINBALL CLEMONS FOUNDATION (514749)
$125,000SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
HEAD STRONG PROJECT INC (514793)
$125,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
TEAM RUBICON (496024)
$125,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
PATHWAYS TO EDUCATION (514750)
$125,000SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS (496110)
$125,000BACKIING LOW CARBON
THE ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION(514789)
$125,000BACKING EQUAL FUTURES
MYRIAD USA INC (468028)
$112,529SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
CHC CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
$107,376GENERAL SUPPORT