Community Impact

The H & R Block Foundation awards grants that help nonprofits improve or strengthen services, enhance operations, and achieve greater results. The Foundation’s grant strategy focuses on the following:

Helping underserved individuals pursue and attain post-secondary education
Improving the quality of life throughout neighborhoods in greater Kansas City
Enhancing nonprofits’ operational efficiency and service delivery and strengthening major community assets and institutions

Since its inception, The H & R Block Foundation has invested over $84 million in various charitable organizations.

GRANTS FAQ

The Foundation identifies programs and projects that align with its strategy for grant funding. It also accepts funding inquiries from organizations in greater Kansas City.

What organizations are eligible to receive a grant?

Grants are made only to organizations that are tax-exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) and that are not classified as private foundations within the code. The Foundation does not make grants to businesses or individuals, or to organizations with a pending 501(c)(3) status. Additionally, the Foundation considers only very limited funding for Type II or III supporting organizations. If your organization has this classification, please contact the Foundation at [email protected] before submitting an application.

What organizations are ineligible to receive a grant?

Organizations that are not in compliance with laws and regulations that govern them. Non-Jewish religious organizations whose primary purpose is the promotion of specific religious doctrine, though religious organizations may be eligible to receive funding for activities that are non-sectarian and benefit the larger community. Organizations that discriminate against individuals based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

What is the Foundation's geographic focus area?

The Foundation focuses its funding on organizations that are based in and serve residents within the greater Kansas City area defined as Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties in Missouri, and Wyandotte and Johnson counties in Kansas.

What areas of focus (or cause areas) does the Foundation support?

The Foundation’s areas of focus are:
• Arts & Culture
• Education
• Health & Human Service
• Neighborhood Revitalization

What types of projects does the Foundation support?

A major emphasis of the Foundation’s giving is on projects, programs, and activities that help underserved, low-income individuals in greater Kansas City (as defined above). These activities must improve, expand, or strengthen an organization and help it achieve greater results. The Foundation does not generally provide funding for ongoing programs and/or operations.

The Foundation does not generally support:

• General operating expenses and/or ongoing programs
• Sponsorships and/or special events such as galas, conferences, luncheons, performances, festivals, awards dinners, etc.
• Past operating deficits or debt reduction
• Single-disease causes
• Animal-related causes
• Sports-related causes
• Political activities
• Publications
• Historic preservation

How and when are grant decisions made?

Foundation staff present recommendations to the Board of Directors and award decisions are made at quarterly meetings held in March, June, September, and December. Notifications of award decisions are made within a few days following the meeting.

What is the typical amount and duration of a grant award?

There are no fixed minimum or maximum amounts, though most grants do not exceed $150,000. The Foundation makes mostly one-year grants; multi-year grants are awarded when appropriate. Grant recipients may be asked to provide reports during or at the conclusion of the grant on activities supported by the grant, use of the funds, and outcomes of the grant. The grant recipient is responsible for providing accurate information and ensuring the grant is used for the charitable purpose indicated in the grant request unless otherwise authorized by the Foundation.

The Foundation’s sister organization, the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation makes single-year and multiyear grants that typically fall in the range of $150,000 to $500,000. Grants may be funded by either Foundation, as determined by Foundation staff.

Funding Inquiries

The Foundation identifies programs and projects that align with its strategy for grant funding. It also accepts funding inquiries from organizations in greater Kansas City through the following process:

1. Organizations are encouraged to review the information on this page. After doing so, if you believe your organization and funding inquiry meet the above criteria, please complete this short questionnaire.

This questionnaire is not a grant application; rather, it allows organizations to propose a grant idea that can be assessed for potential funding eligibility. Organizations may also contact us to obtain a copy of the questionnaire. Due to high volume, Foundation staff are unable to meet with interested organizations prior to submitting the questionnaire. By contacting the Foundation, the organization agrees to receive correspondence via email, phone, SMS, and/or site visit.

2. Submitted questionnaires are reviewed by Foundation staff typically within two weeks of receipt.

3. Foundation staff will then follow up with the organization. If the funding inquiry aligns with the Foundation’s strategy, the organization may be invited to meet with Foundation staff or to apply for a grant.

Due to the high volume of questionnaires submitted, many organizations that meet some of the above criteria are not invited to apply for a grant. Determination is based on an assessment of the funding inquiry’s fit with the Foundation’s grant strategy and available resources. Organizations invited to apply for a grant will be provided with further instructions. An invitation to apply for a grant is not a guarantee of an award.