Verizon Small Business Digital Ready — $10,000 national grants
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is a free online learning platform (courses, templates, and coaching) that also runs a rolling $10,000 grant program, administered by the nonprofit LISC. The application is unlocked just fill out a form — you unlock the application by completing a small amount of the free coursework first, which doubles as genuinely useful business education.
Who can apply: For-profit business owners based in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, at least 18 years old, who can provide business and financial verification documents if selected. Current Verizon or LISC employees, directors, contractors, or their immediate family members are not eligible.
What you'll need to apply: A free Digital Ready account; completion of any two courses, virtual events, or in-person events on the platform; and, when you apply, basic business and financial verification documents you're prepared to provide if selected (exact list isn't published in advance — have standard items like an EIN confirmation, recent revenue figures, and formation documents on hand).
How the application works: Register on the Digital Ready platform, complete two courses/events (these are free and self-paced, so this can be done quickly), then submit the application — Verizon estimates about 30 minutes, and recommends using Google Chrome. You can apply anytime during the year to stay in the running for that year's monthly selection rounds.
Key dates:
Application opens: Ongoing through 2026 (prerequisite courses can be completed anytime in 2026; applications are reviewed monthly)
Application closes: Monthly review cycles run June–December 2026; apply anytime in 2026 to remain eligible for a monthly round
Winners announced: 10 businesses selected each month, June–December 2026; finalists are notified roughly six weeks after the end of each month, with all applicants receiving a final decision by January 12, 2027
Award details: $10,000 per grant, awarded monthly to 10 businesses per round (up to 70 businesses across the 2026 cycle).
Post-award requirements: No repayment required. Recipients are responsible for any taxes owed on the award, and LISC will issue a Form 1099.
Difficulty in plain terms: The application form itself is short, but there's a real prerequisite — you have to complete two courses or events on the platform before you can even apply. Budget an hour or two total between the coursework and the application, spread across more than one sitting if needed.
Bottom line: This is a strong pick for a business owner who's willing to spend an hour on free training to unlock a real shot at $10,000, and who wants the coursework anyway. Less appealing for someone who wants to apply in five minutes flat.
Where to apply or learn more
*Information about grant opportunities is presented after a review of publicly available information about the grant program, including source material from the grant sponsor’s websites. We do our best to check the information, but inaccuracies are possible. Please do your own due diligence.