By Brian D’Antoni
Ten small businesses a month. That is the pace at which Verizon and the national nonprofit LISC are handing out $10,000 grants through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program in 2026, and Florida owners are as eligible as anyone. The program says selections began in June and continue monthly through December 2026, and every applicant receives a final decision by Jan. 12, 2027.
The catch is not a fee or a pitch competition. It is homework. An owner has to complete any two free courses or events on the Digital Ready platform before the application unlocks, and the program counts only activity completed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 7, 2026. With October underway, the useful window for a South Florida storefront, studio or service firm is now.
How the Grant Works
Verizon describes the program as part of a commitment to equip one million small businesses with digital tools. LISC, which the program describes as a national nonprofit with decades of small business experience, serves as the independent administrator and handles intake, review and distribution. An owner applies once, and that single application stays in the running for every remaining monthly selection in 2026.
Anyone who applied before April 15, 2026 has to submit a new application for the 2026 grant. The program says the application should take no more than 30 minutes, recommends the Google Chrome browser, and notes that LISC cannot accept changes after submission.
| Step | What the program requires |
|---|---|
| Register | Create a free account on Verizon Small Business Digital Ready |
| Unlock | Complete any two courses, virtual events (including recorded events) or listed in-person events between Jan. 1 and Dec. 7, 2026 |
| Apply | Submit one application, about 30 minutes, no edits after submission |
| Wait | LISC reviews monthly from June through December 2026; finalists hear within about six weeks of each month’s end |
| Verify | Finalists provide business and financial documents such as a W-9 and ACH details |
| Decision | All applicants receive a final status by Jan. 12, 2027 |
Who Qualifies
The grant is open to owners of for-profit small businesses based in the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands who are 18 or older. Nonprofits are not eligible, and an owner of several companies may apply for one business only. Employees, directors, officers and contractors of LISC or Verizon, and their close family members, may not be eligible to receive an award.
Prior Digital Ready grant recipients can still apply, though the program says they are not likely to receive a second grant. That leaves first-time applicants with an edge.
How Winners Are Picked
LISC describes a three-step selection. An anonymous drawing first narrows the pool so every applicant has an equal chance. If needed, an algorithm then balances the mix of industries and geographies, with priority for businesses in under-resourced, low-to-moderate income communities. A subset of applications then gets an in-depth review for accuracy, community impact and proposed use of funds, and selected businesses complete a verification of financial and legal standing.
For a Florida owner, that structure rewards a clear, specific plan for the money. A line such as new point-of-sale equipment, a website rebuild or a marketing push reads stronger than a general request for working capital.
A Florida Owner’s Calendar
Owners who start this week can finish two courses in a few evenings and apply soon after. The program reviews applications monthly through December, and an early application stays under consideration for every remaining selection in 2026. In-person events count only if they appear on the program’s In-Person Events page, and attendees must scan the event’s QR code on site to receive credit.
Watch the inbox afterward. The program says updates come from LISC Small Business Grants at an lisc.org address, that finalists must respond promptly, and that an undeliverable notice can cost a finalist the award. Check the spam folder as well, since a missed email is the easiest way to lose a grant already won.
Local money still matters too. Owners can stack a national application with the city, county and redevelopment agency programs listed in the South Florida business grants and incentives hub. Each sets its own eligibility rules and deadlines.
Sources
These pages were opened on Oct. 13, 2026.
Related Reading
See the South Florida business grants and incentives hub, the Boynton Beach small business grants opening in October, the Broward small business micro-grant waitlist and the Miami-Dade MDEAT small business grants.
Key Facts for Owners and Search
What is the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready grant?
It is a $10,000 grant program run by Verizon with LISC, a national nonprofit that serves as the independent administrator. Ten small businesses have been selected each month since June, with selections continuing through December 2026. Owners apply once and remain eligible for every remaining monthly selection, and every applicant receives a final decision by Jan. 12, 2027.
Can Florida small businesses apply for the Verizon $10,000 grant?
Yes. The program is open to owners of for-profit small businesses based in the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands who are 18 or older. Nonprofits are not eligible, and an owner of several businesses may apply for one only. Florida owners follow the same national rules as everyone else.
How do I unlock the Verizon Digital Ready grant application?
Create a free Digital Ready account and complete any two courses, virtual events, recorded events or listed in-person events between Jan. 1 and Dec. 7, 2026. In-person events count only when listed on the program page, and attendees must scan the QR code on site. The application unlocks after the second completed activity.
How does LISC choose Verizon grant winners?
LISC first runs an anonymous drawing so every applicant has an equal chance. An algorithm can then balance industries and geographies, with priority for under-resourced, low-to-moderate income communities. A subset receives in-depth review for accuracy, community impact and use of funds, and finalists verify their financial and legal standing before receiving money.
When will I hear back about a Verizon Digital Ready grant?
Finalists are notified within about six weeks of the end of each selection month, from June 2026 through January 2027. Applicants not chosen in a given month are not notified and remain in the pool. Every applicant receives a final status by Jan. 12, 2027, by email from an lisc.org address.
Brian D’Antoni writes The Sundaze Gazette from Palm Beach County. He reports on business, film and technology for South Florida owners.
