A new program coming to Beaufort County aims to empower rural communities with dignity and respect through cash. The RISE Guaranteed Minimum Income program provides $1,500 monthly cash payments to eligible Beaufort County residents for 16 months. The cash payments have no strings attached meaning you choose how to spend the money. The RISE GMI program is an initiative from a nonprofit called GiveDirectly. 

GiveDirectly aims to send cash to nearly 600 people across Beaufort County. The RISE GMI application will be open in Beaufort County from November 3 – 21, 2025. Eligible applicants will be randomly selected to participate. Selected applicants who enroll will receive $1,500 per month for 16 months to spend on food, business, rent, or whatever they need most. That’s $24,000 for you and your loved ones!

To apply, you must:

• be a resident of Beaufort County, NC
• be 18 years or older.
• Have a household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. That is about $31,300 for one person, $64,300 for a family of 4, and $86,300 for a family of 6. 

Eligible residents are encouraged to visit www.givedirectly.org/RISE for more information and to apply.