Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City’s Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund is now accepting applications for the 2026–2027 yearly grant cycle. This gives neighborhood groups an opportunity to get money for events that bring in visitors and show off the city’s many different communities. The application period started at 8 a.m. on Monday, December 8, 2025, and ends at 5 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026.
The financing cycle will help pay for events in Kansas City that happen between May 1, 2026, and April 30, 2027. The city wants to make local activities stronger through this initiative, and it also wants to make Kansas City a better place for conventions, tourism, and cultural events. The fund’s goal is to assist areas show off their unique character through events that get both residents and those from outside the city to come.
The Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund supports events that show off the cultural, social, ethnic, historical, educational, and recreational aspects of Kansas City’s neighborhoods. Events that get support might be very different in terms of theme and size, as long as they are open to the public and attract attention from people outside of the area. Festivals, rodeos, sports competitions, concerts, outdoor cinema evenings, home tours, arts exhibits and performances, parades, and races or runs are all activities that can qualify.
City officials stress that the program is an important role for areas to reach more people. Forest Decker, the Director of Neighborhood Services, noted that the fund helps communities show off what makes them special and brings people together.
“The NTDF program helps neighborhoods showcase their unique character and bring people together,” said Forest Decker, Director of Neighborhood Services. “We’re proud to support events that celebrate Kansas City and attract visitors to our community.”
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There are a number of standards that applicants must complete in order to get financing. In order to be eligible, groups must be not-for-profit neighborhood groups that are registered in the State of Missouri and have a physical address within the city limits of Kansas City. Applicants must also be in good standing with the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and the State of Missouri. Also, groups must show that they welcome a wide range of community input and participation in their planning and activities.
The Neighborhood Services Department will hold two “Lunch and Learn” seminars to help groups write good applications. The goal of these workshops is to help candidates understand the process, make sure they meet the standards, and address any questions they may have about submitting proposals. The first session will take place on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The second session will take place on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Now that the application process is open, neighborhood groups across Kansas City are invited to start making plans and proposals that show off their communities and bring more people to the city.
