'THRIVE' Small Business Technical Assistance Grant Program (Closed)

'THRIVE' SMALL BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM

Fairfax County Thrive program has closed as of May 3, 2024. If you are still interested in receiving coaching and consulting services from the Thrive program, please click here to enter your name on our standby list and you will be notified if additional capacity is available. We will notify everyone on the standby list by July 1, 2024 of their status.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE EMAIL '[email protected]'

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Keep Your Winning Streak Going After THRIVE

Congratulations on completing the THRIVE program! While this phase is wrapping up, your business growth journey is ready for its next at-bat. We want to introduce you to a fantastic lineup of free options available to keep your momentum going strong.

Join Fairfax County on May 7th at 10:00 AM for "Hit it Out of the Park: Your Beyond THRIVE Growth Roadmap.” This brief, 30-minute webinar will provide a clear game plan, mapping out the valuable resources you can tap into to continue strengthening your business. This is exclusive for THRIVE beneficiaries.
Fairfax County boasts a dedicated team ready to help you succeed. Organizations like LEDC, Fairfax CORE, and the George Mason Small Business Development Center are proven players, providing over 10,000 hours of free assistance in 2024 alone. Their track record in helping businesses advance – think of it as a high 'on-base percentage' – is outstanding, and these resources are completely FREE.

Secure your spot on the roster! Mark your calendar and register today for the May 7th webinar.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized $7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to establish the THRIVE Small Business Technical Assistance Grant Program (the THRIVE Program). The THRIVE program aims to help address and mitigate the negative economic impacts experienced by small businesses from the COVID-19 pandemic by building their capacity to meet their individual business goals and identifying business planning needs.

Unlock your business's full potential with Fairfax County's THRIVE program

THRIVE will provide up to 600 small businesses coaching and targeted consulting valued up to $10,000. Through THRIVE, businesses will have access to a network of industry experts that will give them the tools and support they need to get ahead and stay ahead in today's competitive landscape. Whether you are looking to streamline operations, enhance your marketing strategy, or plan for financial growth, THRIVE has you covered. Take your business to new heights with Fairfax County's THRIVE program. The program is funded through Fairfax County's share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Who is Eligible?

Businesses must:

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. 
Businesses must have 49 or fewer employees.  
Businesses must be established and revenue-generating prior to December 31, 2021.   
Sole proprietors, LLCs, C Corporations, S Corporations, and Partnerships are all eligible types of business.
Non-profits are not eligible for this program.
A sole proprietorship will only be eligible if it can demonstrate that 51% or more of its income comes from an eligible business type.
Home based businesses are eligible if they meet the other criteria.
Experienced COVID Negative Economic Impact and can demonstrate either:
5% decrease in gross revenue during the pandemic period.  Verification of revenue decline may compare at a minimum any consecutive 6-month period utilizing 2019, 2020, 2021 or 2022 annual tax returns (or equivalent).  
10% decrease in employees during the pandemic period. Verification of employee declines may compare at a minimum any consecutive 6-month period utilizing 2019, 2020, 2021 or 2022 payroll (or equivalent).
All businesses must be able to provide a current Business Professional and Occupational License (BPOL), but it is not required to submit the application. If selected as part of the cohort, they can provide the BPOL during review.

Areas of the consulting services available include:

Business Operations:

POS system.
Payroll system.
Appointment system.
Bookkeeping system.
Lease negotiation.
Human Resources.
Staff talent acquisition.
Other operations services

Marketing:

Brand consulting.
Graphic design.
Develop Ecommerce.
Develop website.
Photography session.
Digital presence.
Other marketing services

Financial Planning:

Financial health.
Tax advisory.
Other financial services.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE EMAIL '[email protected]'

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NEED EXTRA HELP? CHECK OUT THIS THRIVE WEBINAR!

How to grow your Business with Marketing, Financial and Operations Services from THRIVE! - Zoom

Applications for Cohort #1 Opened December 12 and Closed on Dec. 21st, 2023

Applications for Cohort #2 Opened January 16, 2024 and Closed May 3rd, 2024. This applicant window is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applications must be fully submitted to be considered for the program.

PROGRAM PROCESS:

Part 1: Application + Business Health Assessment:

Initial Eligibility Screening: Applicants enter business contact and financial information into the application to determine eligibility for program.
Full Application: if found eligible, applicants will be allowed to complete additional questions and upload documents.

Part 2: Decision:

Following application review, applicants will be notified by LEDC if their business was approved to be a Small Business Beneficiary for the THRIVE program.

Part 3: Award of Grant Services:

Beneficiaries will be contacted by their assigned THRIVE Business Coach via email. In this program, Business Coaches will serve as Beneficiaries' case managers and help determine the targeted assistance by evaluating their Business Health Assessment and results.
Small Business Beneficiaries will then be matched with THRIVE Business Consultants, who will provide them with up to $10,000 of technical assistance based off of the Beneficiaries results from the Business Health Assessment

***Please note that Small Business Beneficiaries will be asked to sign agreements with their Consultants and Coaches to ensure all parties' understanding of the THRIVE services a Beneficiary will receive.***

How to Apply:

Businesses will apply through the LEDC Applicant Portal (Closed May 3, 2024)
Have this information from our document checklist nearby and ready to upload.