An investment of $2.5 million from Verizon is being administered by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to offer support to small businesses facing immediate financial threat because of the COVID-19 pandemic. LISC will use the funds to provide grants of up to $10,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure because of COVID-19, especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and other enterprises that don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital. LISC has launched an online process for small businesses to submit applications for grants (Apply here or click below by Saturday, April 4 at 11:59 PM ET). Applications will be reviewed and then entered into a lottery. The grants are designed to help business owners fill urgent financial gaps - from paying rent to meeting payroll - until they can resume normal operations or other financing becomes available.
