There are approximately six grants available: one $50,000 grant and five $10,000 grants. All eligible applications will be evaluated by a panel of judges representing H&R Block, Hello Alice, and/or their designees.

Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Clarity and feasibility of plan for business growth Includes how well the applicant explains their plans to use the grant and business services to support growth. This could include hiring, expanding services, or opening new locations.
• Operational improvement through financial and business support Assesses how the applicant would use expert resources in areas like tax preparation, bookkeeping, or payroll to strengthen financial systems and improve operations.
• Demonstrated commitment to community Evaluates how the business currently engages with its community and how receiving the grant would empower it to continue uplifting the local economy.

Additional factors such as the business's size, revenue level, and alignment with H&R Block’s strategic priorities may also be considered during the final selection process.

Finalists may be invited to participate in interviews. While interview performance is not scored as part of the written application review, insights from interviews, such as presentation quality and potential for partnership, may inform final selection decisions.

For tips on crafting a strong application, refer to the Hello Alice Write a Winning Grant Application guide and Pro-Tips Workshop video.