We know how difficult it can be to level up your business when you’re short on resources and tools. That’s why Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is designed to make small business learning free and accessible to all. From courses and live coaching sessions to personalized learning plans, it’s a free and easy way to bump up your skills and knowledge.
To further support active users of Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, we’re deploying $1M in grant funding to small businesses over the course of 2023. Click Here to Register for the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program. Be sure to complete two qualifying courses/coaching sessions/community events to unlock the grant application and apply by May 12, 2023.
When is the latest grant application open?
For the latest round of grants, applications open on March 1, 2023, and close 11:59pm PT on May 12 , 2023. All applicants will be notified about whether or not they have been selected to receive grant funding the week of May 18, 2023.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for this round of grants, users must complete any combination of two courses, coaching events, and community events between January 1, 2023, and May 12, 2023, and submit a grant application by May 12, 2023. Engagements through the Personalized Mentoring feature are not included towards grant eligibility. Awards will be made to a selection of qualified businesses who apply (not all applicants). Eligibility is based on accurate and complete submission, and priority will be given to entrepreneurs of color, women, veteran-owned businesses and other businesses in historically under-served communities who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital. Non-profit organizations are ineligible for this grant. Applicants may apply for one business only and must be 18 years of age to apply.
Small business owners who have applied for previous rounds of Small Business Digital Ready grants may apply again for the current round. A new application must be submitted for each round, and eligibility criteria for the current round must be met.
Click Here to Register for the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program.
Is the application available in Spanish?
The application can be viewed and completed in Spanish by changing your browser settings. Please view instructions on how to change language settings for your browser here. You will also have the option to indicate on the application if you would like Spanish-language support preparing and submitting the additional documents needed if you are selected as a finalist (this selection will not affect your application’s likelihood of selection). Click Here to Download these Frequently Asked Questions in Spanish.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my application after it’s been submitted?
It is recommended that before completing and submitting the online form, respondents review answers carefully, as your work may not be saved if you leave the web page before applying. You may also lose your work if your internet is disconnected or as a result of other potential web browser issues. LISC cannot accept changes to the application once it has been submitted, so please review it carefully. We recommend using the Google Chrome browser for the application process.
Will I receive confirmation after I submit my application?
Every applicant receives a confirmation screen after hitting “done,” as well as a follow-up email confirmation, as long as they have filled out all fields correctly. Following these confirmations, the next communication you will receive will be the week of 5/18 to inform you if you have been selected as a finalist.
If I applied in a previous round, do I have to re-apply or will my application roll over?
Applications do not roll over to later rounds. You must submit a new application for each grant cycle in order to be considered for funding. Each round has unique aspects and application eligibility requirements.
If I applied in a previous round, am I eligible to apply again and be considered in this round?
Yes, you can submit a new application for this round and it will be considered.
When filling out the application, I see the error message “3.1. You’re creating a duplicate record. It is recommended you use an existing record instead.” What should I do?
Applicants may apply for only one business and submit only one application for this grant. If you’ve applied for previous grants, please submit a new application with the exact same First Name, Last Name, and Email Address as you did previously.
How will I be contacted or know if I have received a grant?
LISC will primarily utilize email to communicate with all applicants. You can expect to hear whether or not you have been selected for funding the week of May 18, 2023. Be sure to check email regularly, including spam folders. Email updates to all applicants will come from the LISC Small Business Relief Grant. Finalists will receive next steps from notifications@lisc.org.
Finalists will be notified by email and must respond promptly. The return of any grantee notification message or document as undeliverable may result in disqualification of the applicable grantee, the forfeiture of his or her interest in the grant, and the selection of a substitute from among all remaining eligible finalists.
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 for verification such as date of birth, SSN, TIN/ITIN, EIN, W-9 and appropriate banking information in order to receive funds via ACH if awarded. The background verification does not involve a credit check or credit score pull. LISC will never request copies of personal documentation such as driver’s licenses, passports and/or green cards.
Does anything need to be repaid?
No, these grants do not need to be repaid. However, all taxes associated with the acceptance and/or uses of cash awarded are the sole responsibility of the individual grantee. LISC will issue a Form 1099 for these grants.
Click Here to Register for the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program.