Verizon and other groups are giving out five small business grants up to $10,000
Verizon, the giant wireless carrier, is giving out $10,000 grants right now.
The short version
- Four other programs also offer free money that never needs repayment.
- You must complete two free courses online to unlock the Verizon application.
- Check the rules for each grant before you apply this week.
Small business owners looking for cash without taking on debt have five active grant programs to check this month, according to Inc. Verizon, the giant wireless carrier, is leading the pack with a $10,000 monthly award. Alongside Verizon, platforms like Shophand and WomensNet are handing out thousands in free money that never needs to be repaid.
For a shop owner trying to cover inventory or payroll, landing a grant means cash in the register without a single monthly loan payment attached. Verizon runs its program in partnership with LISC, a major community development nonprofit. To qualify for the Verizon grant, you must be a for-profit business owner over 18 and based in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Applicants must unlock the application by completing two free courses or events on the Verizon Digital Ready platform by December 2026. Meanwhile, Shophand, a small business support platform, awards $5,000 grants twice a year with half in cash and half in business tools.
WomensNet gives out $10,000 Amber Grants to women-owned businesses every month, with winners also entering the running for a $50,000 year-end prize. Secretsos, a professional development platform for franchises, offers a $2,500 quarterly grant. Finally, the National Association for the Self-Employed provides monthly growth grants up to $4,000 for its members. Review the specific deadlines and eligibility rules for each program before you submit your paperwork.
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
