Verizon Small Business Digital Ready and LISC are offering $10,000 grants in 2026. To apply, complete any two eligible courses or events, and submit your application anytime during the year. Ten small businesses will be selected each month, with applications remaining eligible for future selections if not chosen immediately.
Application Deadline:
Closes: December 31, 2026
Tell Me About the Opportunity:
The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant, in partnership with LISC, offers $10,000 grants to small businesses across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The programme is part of Verizon’s commitment to equip one million small businesses with tools and resources to thrive in the digital economy. Since 2021, over $15 million has been awarded to more than 1,500 businesses.
Which Sectors are Eligible?
All for-profit small businesses across industries are eligible, with priority given to businesses in under-resourced, low- to moderate-income communities.
Type:
National grant programme — $10,000 per award.
Who can apply?
- Owners of for-profit small businesses in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Must be 18 years or older
- Only one application per business owner (multiple businesses not allowed)
- Non-profits are not eligible
How are applicants selected?
Selection is based on a three-pronged approach:
- Anonymous drawing to ensure equal opportunity
- Algorithm to balance industries and geographies
- In-depth review for accuracy, impact, and proposed use of funds
Priority is given to businesses in underserved communities.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Where will the opportunity be taken?
Nationwide across the U.S. and territories.
How Many Opportunities?
10 small businesses will be selected each month from June to December 2026.
What is the benefit of the opportunity?
- $10,000 grant (non-repayable)
- Access to expert-led courses, coaching, and networking
- Priority support for businesses in underserved communities
How Long Will the Support Last?
Applications are reviewed monthly from June to December 2026. Final decisions by January 12, 2027.
How to Apply:
- Register for a free account on Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.
- Complete any two eligible courses or events in 2026.
- Unlock and submit the grant application once — it remains eligible all year.
Visit the Application Webpage for Details
Frequently Asked Questions About the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
What is the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant?
The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant is part of Verizon’s commitment to equip one million small businesses with the tools and resources they need to thrive in today’s digital economy. In partnership with LISC, Verizon will select 10 small businesses monthly from June to December 2026 to receive $10,000 grants.
Who is LISC?
LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) is a national nonprofit with decades of experience supporting small businesses, including administering grant programs across the U.S. In this programme, LISC serves as the independent grant administrator, overseeing application intake, review, and grant distribution.
Who is eligible to apply for the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant?
To be eligible to apply for the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready $10,000 national grant, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have an account on Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.
- Complete any combination of two courses, virtual events (including recorded events), or in-person events* on the Digital Ready platform between January 1, 2026, and December 7, 2026, to unlock the grant application. Once unlocked, you can apply at any time to be considered, as finalists are selected monthly throughout the year.
- Be a for-profit business based in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nonprofits are not eligible to apply.
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Be able to share and provide proper business and financial verification documentation (W-9s, ACH) if selected as a finalist.
Why is the selection rolling, and how does it work?
Grant applications are reviewed monthly from June through December 2026. If you are not selected in a particular month, your application will remain eligible for remaining selections throughout the year. All applicants will receive a final decision by January 12, 2027, via email.
If I applied for the Digital Ready grant in the past, do I have to reapply, or will my application roll over?
If you applied for a Digital Ready grant before April 15, 2026, you must submit a new application for the 2026 $10,000 grant. For the 2026 $10,000 grant, you may only apply once. Once submitted, your application will remain eligible for the rest of 2026.
How will I be contacted or know if I will receive a grant?
LISC will primarily communicate with applicants via email, though they will make all reasonable attempts to contact finalists. Finalists will be notified within approximately six weeks of the end of each month from June 2026 to January 2027. If you are not selected in a given month, you will not be notified – your application will remain eligible for future selections throughout the year. All applicants will be informed of their final status no later than January 12, 2027.
What does it mean to be a “finalist”, and will there be additional documentation required?
If your business is selected as a finalist, you will be notified via email. Being selected as a finalist does not guarantee that you will receive a grant. As a finalist, additional documentation will be required to screen and verify business information. This may include a background search that LISC will conduct at our expense and submission of additional information, including verification information such as date of birth, SSN, TIN/ITIN, EIN, W-9, and appropriate banking information to receive funds via ACH if awarded.
Is the application available in Spanish?
Yes, the application is available in Spanish. Once you have unlocked the grant application, click on the link to the application. There, you will see the option to complete the application in Spanish. If you are viewing Digital Ready in Spanish, the application will default to Spanish.
How can I verify if I’ve completed the eligibility requirements?
Once you have completed the required combination of courses and events, the application will unlock on the Funding page and grant details page, and you will see the option to “Apply for the grant”.
When filling out the application, I’m seeing the error message, “3.1. You’re creating a duplicate record. “It is recommended you use an existing record instead.” What should I do?
Receiving this notification means that you may have already submitted an application for this grant round. Applicants may apply for only one business and submit only one application per round.
Does anything need to be repaid?
No, these grants do not need to be repaid. However, all taxes associated with the acceptance and/or use of cash awarded are the sole responsibility of the individual grantee. LISC will issue a Form 1099 for these grants.