GlobeNewswire Inc | Oct 28, 2021 08:30AM EDT

October 28, 2021

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) and The Urban League of Greater Kansas City announced today the distribution of five micro-grants among the first cohort of Black business owners participating in the first year of the new small business program provided in partnership by the two organizations.

The program supports Black-owned businesses, helping them survive and thrive as part of H&R Blocks goal of reaching and supporting 500,000 small business owners by 2025. Block Advisors small business certified tax pros provide free one-on-one coaching designed to improve financial management, tax compliance, bookkeeping and payroll; ultimately increasing business owners confidence when seeking financial capital and helping to foster equitable communities. The Urban League also provided free credit-building services and other business coaching, as needed.

The five business owners who are receiving micro-grants that align with their personalized, business coaching goals are:

-- 5515 LLC Roofing & Construction, to purchase new equipment for roof inspections. -- Anna's BLD Restaurant & Catering, to purchase new kitchen equipment. -- Arthur's Hometown Sausage & Barbecue, to purchase necessary marketing materials for a new food truck. -- GiGi's Bait & Tackle & Restaurant, to purchase a new point-of-sale system and restaurant seating. -- Magnolia's Catering, to manage marketing and promotional expenses.

According to data from Block Advisors ongoing Small Business Recovery Series, Black-owned businesses are seeing a disproportionate impact from pandemic-related factors, including more than half of Black business owners reporting a revenue decrease by 50% or more compared to only 37% of white business owners since March 2020. With nearly half (47%) of small business owners not optimistic about success in 2021, Block Advisors is doubling down on its small business focus through its partnership with the Urban League of Greater Kansas City to improve financial management and confidence among Black small businesses.

Business owners can learn more about the program by contacting Urban League of Greater Kansas City atwww.ulkc.org.

About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through globaltax preparation,financial products, andsmall-business solutions. The company blends digital innovation with the human expertise and care of its associates and franchisees as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time and better manage and access their money year-round. ThroughBlock AdvisorsandWave, the company helps small-business owners thrive with innovative products like Wave Money, a small-business banking and bookkeeping solution, and the only business bank account to manage bookkeeping automatically. For more information, visitH&R Block Newsor follow@HRBlockNewson Twitter.

About the Urban League of Greater Kansas City

The mission of theUrban League of Greater Kansas Cityis to enable African Americans and other disadvantaged populations to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights. The Urban League provides programs and servicesto: ensure that youth are educated and equipped for economic self-reliance; help adults attain economic self-sufficiency through jobs, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation; assist in ensuring access to quality, affordable healthcare; remove barriers to equal participation in the economic mainstream; and advocate for racial equity and social justice.

For Further Information

Investor Michaella Gallina, (816) 854-3022,Relations: michaella.gallina@hrblock.com Jordyn Eskijian, (816) 854-5674, jordyn.eskijian@hrblock.com Media Relations: Angela Davied, (816) 854-5798, angela.davied@hrblock.com