2026–27 NTDF Application Cycle will open on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. and close on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Before you begin: Please review the eligibility information and step-by-step guide in full. This will help ensure your project is a good fit and your application is complete. 

Eligibility 

Proposed projects must showcase and strengthen neighborhood identity through cultural, historical, educational, or recreational programming and promote Kansas City as a destination for tourism, conventions, and trade. Activities may occur one time, annually, or as a series of events. 

Projects that generate revenue to reduce future city subsidies are preferred, and collaboration with the convention and tourism industry is encouraged.

This fund supports eligible projects, umbrella organizations, and development corporations that meet the requirements outlined below. Capital projects may also be considered, but they must disclose in their application any additional funding they’ve received from outside the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund (NTDF). 

State and City Requirements

The organization must:

• Be a Missouri-incorporated nonprofit in good standing with both the state and the IRS
• Be in the city limits of Kansas City, MO. 
• Demonstrate how they encourage broad citizen input and participation 
• Follow the City Manager’s regulations and all applicable laws and ordinances for contracts with non-municipal agencies

Activity/Project Requirements

The activity/project must:

• Take place within city limits and appeal to residents and visitors
• Be open to the public and marketed broadly to attract those visiting for any purpose
• Include reference to the City and credit the NTDF as a funding source in any publicity and advertising (email ntdf@kcmo.org for logo images)

Not Eligible

Activities/projects are NOT considered if they:

• Do not appeal or cannot be broadly marketed to both residents and visitors
• Reflect or enhance political parties, candidates, or political office holders
• Request funds to cover operating costs that are currently publicly supported
• Involve routine, ongoing activities of neighborhood organizations and home associations
• Provide for the maintenance of capital projects, including tourist attractions
• Already received NTDF funding within the same fiscal year
• Relate to previously completed activities/projects
• Involve programs and/or services of organizations that benefit other cities or regions

Application

NTDF event applications are accepted on an annual basis, with an optional mid-year cycle. Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on the date the application is due.

• Annual Cycle for events taking place May 1–April 30. 
• Optional Mid-Year Cycle for events taking place November 1–April 30.

For All Application Cycles: 

Please review the following training documents prior to logging in to the NTDF portal and starting an application. These will provide an overview of the program and the portal.

First-time NTDF Portal Users:
If you have not applied for an NTDF Award or registered on the NTDF Portal previously, please use this link to register: NTDF Registration

Returning NTDF Portal Users:
If you have applied for an NTDF Award since 2023 or already registered on the NTDF Portal, please use this link to log in: NTDF Login

Evaluation Criteria 

The NTDF Committee has criteria to evaluate the merits of each application based on the values outlined by the City. Applicants should consider the following criteria (and corresponding weights) when completing an application:

• Economic and Neighborhood Impact (55 points)
• Activity/Program Merit and Excellence (25 points)
• Organizational Capacity (20 points)