In some ways, The H & R Block Foundation has become a familiar emblem - a steady presence in the Kansas City community since
1974 that might be mistaken for ordinary. Yet in the lives the Foundation touches, the effect is extraordinary.
The mission of The H & R Block Foundation is to improve the quality of life by responding to the needs of people and communities through thoughtful, innovative and responsible philanthropy. To date, the Foundation has distributed approximately $40 million for charitable purposes. The Foundation's primary program areas are:
- Arts and Culture - Programs that improve access to the arts for all people.
- Community Development - Projects that build stable neighborhoods and communities.
- Education - Organizations that offer diverse learning opportunities for all ages.
- Health and Human Services - High quality health and mental health services and youth development programs.
The Foundation places emphasis on supporting programs for underserved, low-income persons living in Missouri's Jackson, Clay and Platte counties, and Kansas' Wyandotte and Johnson counties.
Henry W. Bloch, co-founder of H&R Block and chairman of the Board of Directors for The H & R Block Foundation, has said, "Kansas City saw my company through the lean years, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to give back."
The Foundation has found many ways to give back. The H & R Block Foundation Scholarship was one of its first programs. It has provided more than 2,220 scholarships totaling nearly $2.4 million to educate associates' children.
The Foundation has supported associates' commitment to education by matching associates' contributions to private secondary schools, colleges and universities. In 1993, the Foundation introduced Cash for Champions to recognize associate volunteerism by providing a cash match for the nonprofit organizations that they support.
Since 1985, the Foundation has annually recognized a World Headquarters associate for his or her exceptional community service with The I.J. Mnookin Award for Outstanding Community Service. In 2000, the Foundation created The Henry W. Bloch National Award for Outstanding Community Service to recognize associates from each of Bloch's business units for their commitment to their communities.
Under Henry's guidance, The H & R Block Foundation created the H&R Block Artspace in collaboration with the Kansas City Art Institute. The Artspace supports the creation and presentation of contemporary art by international, national and regional artists.
In 2001, The H & R Block Foundation created the Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain at Union Station as a gift to the people of
Kansas City, which is known as the City of Fountains. Union Station, a former railroad station built in 1914, is the home of
Science City, an educational center that preserves and interprets Kansas City's regional history.
Also in 2001, the Foundation developed the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program to provide area disadvantaged youth with the opportunity to receive a college degree. Each year through the Scholars Program, 90 urban youth attend Penn Valley Community College or Donnelly College and transfer to the University of Missouri-Kansas City for their bachelors' degrees.
The H & R Block Foundation strives for the best in philanthropy as it seeks and reinforces partnerships - true building blocks for vibrant, caring communities. In the Kansas City community, the Foundation is familiar enough to be almost unseen by many people, and real enough to help inspire hope and change.