Want to know more?
- Learn more about Fairfax RISE program recipients in this infographic.
- Visit our RISE Grant Award page for a detailed listing of all grantees, their award amounts and other grant-related information. Information can be filtered and sorted.
- Do a deep dive into the data check on our RISE Dashboard. There you can filter the information by geography, Supervisory District, business type and more.
GENERAL INFO.
The primary purpose of the Fairfax RISE (RISE – Relief Initiative to Support Employers) grant program was to provide immediate relief to small businesses and non-profits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fairfax County hopes to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations remain in business through the COVID-19 emergency and address gaps that may exist among complementary programs. The grant does not have to be repaid.
The grant program established a minimum allocation of 30% of total funding towards awards for women-owned, minority-owned, and/or veteran-owned businesses. It is funded through an allocation of the Coronavirus Relief Funds provided through the federal CARES Act.
Grant funds were allocated based on number of full-time-equivalent (FTE) employees:
- Employees, 1 - 10: $10,000
- Employees, 11 – 25: $15,000
- Employees, 26 – 49: $20,000
The application process was open from June 8 @9AM through June 15 @ 11:59PM, 2020.
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ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, applicants must have been established and have one or more location(s) in Fairfax County, including the principal place of business. Fairfax County includes businesses and organizations located in the Towns of Herndon, Vienna, and Clifton. Additionally, awardees must have at least one full-time-equivalent (FTE) and less than 50 FTE total employees across all locations, in operation over 1 year, and, with the exception of nonprofits, have a valid Business, Professional and Occupational Licenses (BPOL).
Small Business Eligibility
- Must be established and have one or more location(s), including the principal place of business, in Fairfax County. Fairfax County includes the Towns of Herndon, Vienna, and Clifton. The cities of Fairfax and Falls Church are not included.
- Have at least one and less than 50 total full-time-equivalent (FTE) employees across all locations.
- Have a valid Business, Professional and Occupational Licenses (BPOL) issued prior to March 1, 2019.
Nonprofit Eligibility
- Must be established and have one or more location(s), including the principal place of business, in Fairfax County. Fairfax County includes the Towns of Herndon, Vienna, and Clifton. The cities of Fairfax and Falls Church are not included.
- Have at least one and less than 50 total full-time-equivalent (FTE) employees across all locations. Have not received grant from the Fairfax County COVID Sustainability Grant Fund (Social Safety Net Funds)
- Have a IRS Form 990 from 2018 or 2019
Independent Contractor/Sole Proprietor Eligibility
- Live in Fairfax County and operate a business as a sole proprietor. The cities of Fairfax and Falls Church are not included.
- Pay self-employment tax
- Not currently receiving unemployment benefits for your business employment compensation
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED
Applicants will be required to demonstrate that they are eligible, that they were operational pre-COVID-19, and that they are suffering negative impacts from COVID-19 closures. Documentation will not be required for the Part I: Qualification Survey section of the application. If the applicants are selected for Part II: Certification Application they will be asked to provide documentation.
(Updated 6/11) Specific document may vary, depending upon business or non-profit organization structure. Confirmation of # employees, documentation requirement is anticipated to include one of the following items:
- Payroll Register
- Form 941, quarterly reporting form
- 1099 form (either as Sole Proprietor/Single Member LLC, or for counting # of consultants in the business)
- tax return information, including K1 forms if an LLC
