Block Advisors by H&R Block Launches ‘Fund Her Future’ Grant Program to Support Women-Owned Small Businesses
April 29 2024 - 8:00AM
To help close the gap in funding and support for women-owned small
businesses, Block Advisors by H&R Block created the Fund Her
Future small business grant program. The program will award five
women-owned small businesses a combined total of $100,000 in
funding and access to a year of small business services from Block
Advisors. Submissions will be accepted at
BlockAdvisors.com/FundHerFutureGrant through May 26, 2024.
“Over the past five years, women-owned businesses grew at nearly
double the rate of men-owned businesses,” said Jamil Khan, Chief
Strategy and Small Business Officer at H&R Block. “Despite
being one of the fastest-growing segments of the small business
space, women-owned small businesses continue to experience a
funding and support gap compared to their male counterparts.
Announcing the grant program to kick off National Small Business
Month will hopefully illuminate this disparity.”
The latest Data from Block Advisors’ Small Business Resilience
Series survey shows 31 percent started their business within five
months of considering it (9% more than non-women), yet they were
more likely to make less money and be declined for a loan than
their counterparts – and the disparities were even greater for
small business owners of color.1
“Supporting the advancement of small business is a start, but we
need to also do our part in leveling the playing field for men and
women entrepreneurs,” said Khan. “Women small business owners are
integral players in their communities. We owe it to them to close
funding and support gaps so they can focus on realizing their goals
and making an impact.”
To apply, applicants must be over 18 years old and an owner of a
United States-based business that is at least 51% women-owned.
Other eligibility requirements can be found on the grant website.
Businesses that promote inclusivity and can demonstrate community
impact are especially encouraged to apply. Following submissions
closing on May 26, 2024, a group of finalists will be selected to
participate in interviews in mid-June. Five winners will be
notified by the end of June.
One small business owner will receive a first-prize grant
package of $50,000 and a year of access to small business services
from Block Advisors. Four honorable mention winners will receive a
$12,500 grant and the services package. Block Advisors helps over
two million small business owners annually with year-round tax
preparation and business services, including business formation,
bookkeeping, payroll, and Beneficial Ownership reporting.
“With immediate access to capital, resources, and trusted
expertise, we’re confident women entrepreneurs will see significant
growth for their small business, influencing the momentum of their
community for years to come,” said Khan.
To learn more about Block Advisors,
visit www.BlockAdvisors.com and visit
www.BlockAdvisors.com/FundHerFutureGrant to submit for the Fund Her
Future grant program.
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires
confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through
global tax preparation
services, financial products,
and small-business solutions. The company
blends digital innovation with human expertise and care as it helps
people get the best outcome at tax time and also be better with
money using its mobile banking app, Spruce.
Through Block
Advisors and Wave, the company
helps small-business owners thrive with year-round bookkeeping,
payroll, advisory, and payment processing solutions. For more
information, visit H&R Block News or
follow @HRBlockNews on X.
Media Contacts |
Media
Relations: |
Erika O’Shea,
(816) 585-6058, erika.oshea@hrblock.com |
|
|
Investor
Relations: |
Michaella Gallina, (816)
854-3022, michaella.gallina@hrblock.com |
|
Jordyn Eskijian (816)
854-5674, jordyn.eskijian@hrblock.com |
|
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1 H&R Block. (2023). Small Business Resilience Series
Survey. Block Advisors by H&R Block.
https://investors.hrblock.com/news-releases/news-release-details/new-data-block-advisors-reveals-small-business-owners-are-highly
A video accompanying this announcement is available
at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fee5aa40-57e7-4933-815f-0f08700ceb4e
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a88e9818-fd7d-46e0-ae1e-3a0539590f0b
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