Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant

The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant, administered in partnership with LISC, is designed to support small for-profit businesses across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. With a focus on digital preparedness and business resilience, the program is part of Verizon’s broader commitment to empower one million small businesses through free tools, resources, and funding opportunities. Since its launch in 2021, the initiative has awarded $14 million to approximately 1,400 businesses. During the current grant cycle, Verizon and LISC will award 50 grants of $10,000 each, totaling $500,000 in funding. Eligible businesses must be for-profit and U.S.-based, including territories, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. Nonprofit entities are not eligible. Additionally, business owners must register on the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform and complete any two eligible courses or virtual events between July 1 and December 10, 2025, in order to unlock the grant application. The application deadline is December 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Applications will not be accepted after this time. Grant recipients will be notified by the week of January 12, 2026. Being selected as a finalist does not guarantee funding; finalists must pass verification steps including submission of documentation such as W-9 forms, EINs, and ACH information for payment processing. Background screening may be conducted, though no credit checks are involved. Priority is given to applicants who have not previously received a Verizon Digital Ready grant, though past recipients are still eligible to apply. The application is available in English and Spanish and must be completed online via the Digital Ready platform. Users encountering technical difficulties are advised to use Google Chrome on a desktop or laptop and to clear cache or use Incognito mode as needed. No matching funds are required and the grants do not need to be repaid. However, recipients are responsible for any tax liabilities, and LISC will issue Form 1099s accordingly. The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant represents a significant opportunity for small business owners to strengthen their digital capabilities while competing for unrestricted grant funding.

Complete two qualifying Digital Ready resources early to ensure eligibility and avoid last-minute issues.