Block Advisors by H&R Block has announced its second annual “Fund Her Future” grant for U.S. women-owned small businesses.
The program will highlight six women-owned small and midsize businesses that have both high growth and community impact — with $100,000 of total money awarded and a year of SMB services from Block Advisors, which is valued at nearly $30,000.
This year’s grant will fund one SMB $50,000 and the other five potential recipients will receive $10,000 in grant money.
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The 2025 program will award up to one SMB owner a grant package of $50,000. Up to five additional recipients will receive a $10,000 grant. All recipients will receive a year of access to Block Advisors’ SMB services. H&R Block is especially looking to award businesses that have demonstrated a commitment to their communities.
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Authors of Block Advisor’s “2024 State of Women’s Small Business Report,” found that women entrepreneurs face more barriers than men in accessing capital and resources. The report found that 42 percent of women business owners who applied for bank loans were never approved and nearly 90 percent of women reported relying on their own personal finances and credit cards to help fund their businesses as a result of inaccessible funding.
“Amplifying women-owned businesses is about more than just supporting entrepreneurs — it’s about fostering innovation, diversity and resilience in every industry,” said Lastasha Randle, strategy and SMB program manager at Block Advisors by H&R Block. “When we uplift women, we create opportunities for fresh perspectives and solutions that benefit everyone. By championing these businesses, we’re not only driving economic growth but also inspiring the next generation of leaders to dream big and break barriers.”
Block Advisors by H&R Block said that last year’s program received more than 6,000 applications and was awarded to five women whose businesses achieved growth with the company’s resources.
Grant winners from last year include Heather Jiang, owner of Allégorie, a New York-based small-batch accessories brand that turns food waste into fashion; Erica Cole, owner of No Limbits, a Richmond, Va.-based accessible apparel brand for people with lower limb difference, limited hand and arms dexterity, sensory processing challenges and wheelchair users and Ameka Coleman, owner of Strands of Faith, a Pearl, Miss.-based brand who created nontoxic hair care products for textured hair.
“I never envisioned becoming an entrepreneur, but I created No Limbits when I saw a gap in the disability market,” Cole said. “After losing my leg in a car accident, I struggled with dressing myself and began altering my clothes to fit around my prosthetic, which soon turned into helping others with limb differences. With the Fund Her Future grant from Block Advisors, I’ve been able to scale the business and introduce our adaptive apparel to a wider audience, helping more people in the disability community.”
With the support, Cole said she used it to scale her business, including launching her collection in Walmart and was acquired by adaptive apparel company Buck & Buck.
“The grant from Block Advisors by H&R Block boosted my confidence and gave me validation at just the right time,” Coleman said. “It was a powerful reminder to keep believing in myself and my vision, even when things get tough. Since receiving the grant, we’ve on boarded two hospital networks and expanded our reach — proving that when you bet on yourself and have the right support, anything is possible. Beyond the grant, Block Advisors’ small business support has been invaluable.”
Coleman also shared that her company is projecting a 400 percent increase in revenue — all thanks to the onboarding of the additional hospital networks with support from the grant.
Applications for the “Fund Her Future” grant program are open now until May 30.
“As a small business owner myself, I understand the unique challenges that independent entrepreneurs face every day. Real support — both financial and human — can make all the difference and that is what makes this grant so special,” Randle concluded.