Fairfax County awarded $52.5 million to more than 4800 small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis. The program, called RISE, offered financial assistance grants that assisted with wages, employees’ health insurance, rent, and other fixed operating costs to help small businesses remain in business. More than 72% of the organizations receiving grants identified as small companies owned by women, minorities and/or veterans—businesses that account for one-third of jobs in Fairfax County. This exceeded the original goal to allocate at least one-third of funds to one of those historically disadvantaged groups. The program was funded using federal CARES Act funds provided to the County and the grants did not need to be repaid.
