Fairfax County Launches 2 Relief Funds for Nonprofits & Small Businesses
Nonprofits and small businesses are facing an uncertain economic future. Responding to nonprofit and small business community needs, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors created two grant programs to assist nonprofits and small businesses.
Using the Federal CARES Act funds, the county established a $25 million Fairfax Relief Initiative to Support Employers (Fairfax RISE) and is available to small businesses and nonprofits affected by the economic downturn created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The second grant program focuses on 501(c)(3) and 501(c)19 nonprofit organizations whose primary work currently supports vulnerable populations within Fairfax County.
Fairfax Rise
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday, May 12 to create the $25 million Fairfax Relief Initiative to Support Employers (Fairfax RISE) grant program to assist small businesses and nonprofits affected by the economic downturn created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, the first of its kind in the county, will be funded using federal CARES Act funds provided to the county government.
Fairfax RISE will offer grants to qualified businesses or nonprofits that will not have to be repaid. It also specifically establishes a minimum allocation of 30 percent of the program’s total dollars — or $7.5 million — toward awards for minority-, veteran-, and woman- owned businesses.
The grant application process is expected to begin in early June 2020. Eligible applicants must be established and have one or more location(s) in Fairfax County, including the principal place of business and includes the towns of Herndon, Vienna and Clifton.
Fill out a county form to be notified when the grant applications become available.
The amount of Fairfax RISE awards will be based upon the number of full-time equivalent employees:
Awardees must have less than 50 total employees across all locations, have been in operation over one year; and, with the exception of nonprofits, have a valid Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL).
The amount of Fairfax RISE awards will be based upon the number of full-time equivalent employees:
- 1 to 10 employees: $10,000
- 11 to 25 employees: $15,000
- 26 to 49 employees: $20,000
The grant can be used for:
- Employee compensation (including wages and benefits)
- Working capital
- Equipment
- Inventory
- Rent
- Other business-critical operating expenses
Read the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority’s full announcement.
ARTSFAIRFAX will continue to monitor information and share updates on social media.
Nonprofit Sustainability Grants
The Nonprofit Substantiality Grants are funded with stimulus funds from the federal CARES Act. Grants are available to Fairfax County nonprofits that support the community in the areas of finance, food, education, health and behavior and provide services to vulnerable populations, including people with limited income, immigrants and refugees and people with disabilities.
For more information, visit the County website.
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