Promotional and Community Event Grant Application
  • Promotional and Community Event Grant Application

    McKinney Community Development Corporation FY 2026
  • MCDC Mission

    Staying true to voter intent, we work proactively, in partnership with others, to promote and fund community, cultural, and economic development projects that maintain and enhance the quality of life in McKinney.

  • Important Information

    • Please read the McKinney Community Development Corporation Grant Guidelines before completing this application.
    • The Grant Guidelines are available at McKinneyCDC.org or by emailing Info@McKinneyCDC.org.
    • If you are interested in a preliminary review of your grant request or event idea, please complete and submit the online Letter of Inquiry.
    • Applications must be submitted via online form and must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on the deadline date.
  • All applicants must submit a complete application with the following attachments and required information as detailed throughout the application to ensure Board consideration for funding.

    • Detailed event description
      • Comprehensive narrative that includes event mission, goals, planning and execution timeline;
      • Planned activities pre-event and during event;
      • History of past or similar events;
      • Event budget (fundraising goals, projected revenue, funding sources);
      • Ticket price(s). (At least one category of ticket must be $35 or under.)
      • Safety/security plan, parking/traffic management plan, weather contingency, event staffing plan.
    • Target audience – Please include data from previous events if available.
      • Attendance projections (include how your calculations were made);
      • Target audience including demographics (families, young adults, seniors, all ages, ethnicity) as well as diversity of interests (arts, culture, recreation, sports, shopping, etc.);
      • Geographic reach (goal for attendees from outside of McKinney, estimated travel distance).
    • Community and economic impact
      • Describe how your event will showcase McKinney for tourism and economic development for residents and visitors (shopping and dining in McKinney, hotel stays, participation in other McKinney activities).
    • Marketing and promotional plan
      • Detailed and itemized plan and promotional budget - include strategies and channels (print ads, press releases, digital ads, social media, radio, posters, flyers, yard signs, articles, etc.);
      • Social media followship and website data if available.
    • Financial viability of organization (Please provide the following documentation)
      • Verification of organization’s status (IRS letter of determination, W9);
      • Most recent two years of financial statements including organization’s budget and profit/loss statements (audited preferred or written explanation if audit not available);
  • Promotional and Community Event Grant Calendar

    To ensure timely and effective use of promotional grant funds, we recommend event(s) are scheduled to occur at least 4-6 months after the award notification date(s).

    Cycle I

    • Application Deadline: Nov. 28, 2025
    • Presentation to MCDC Board: Dec. 18, 2025
    • Board Vote and Award Notification: Jan. 22, 2026

    Cycle II

    • Application Deadline: May 30, 2026
    • Presentation to MCDC Board: June 25, 2026
    • Board Vote and Award Notification: July 23, 2026
    • Organization Information 
    • Incorporation Date
       - -
    • Format: (000) 000-0000.
    • Select One
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    • Representative & Contact Information 
    • Is the representative information same as above?*
    • Format: (000) 000-0000.
    • Is the contact for communications between MCDC and the organization same as above?*
    • Format: (000) 000-0000.
    • Information About Funding Request 
    • Are matching funds available?*
    • Have you received or will funding be requested from any other City of McKinney entity (e.g. Visit McKinney, Arts Commission, City of McKinney Community Support Grant)?
    • Have you received or will funding be requested from other organizations / foundations?
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    • Promotional / Community Event Information 
    • Information about the promotional / community event for which you are seeking funding.

    • Event(s) open to the public?
    • Is this the first time for this event?*
    • Does the event support a non-profit (other than applicant)?*
    • Total attendance from previous event(s) (if applicable)

    •    of attendees from McKinney at the previous event.

    •    of attendees from outside of McKinney at the previous event.

    • Describe the TARGET AUDIENCE to include:

      • Demographics (i.e. families, young adults, seniors, all ages, ethnic diversity)
      • Diversity of interests (i.e. arts, culture, recreation, sports, shopping, etc.)
    • FINANCIAL GOALS FOR EVENT OF PROMOTIONAL / COMMUNITY EVENT

    • Please provide funding sources and dollar amounts associated with each of the following.

    • Event Narrative 
    • Provide a comprehensive narrative that includes:

      • Mission, goals, planning and execution timeline
      • Planned activities (pre-event and during event)
      • History of past or similar events
      • Safety/security plan, parking/traffic management plan, weather contingency, event staffing plan
    • Community and Economic Impact 
    • Specific Marketing Plans and Budget 
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    • Are matching funds available?
    • Financial Viability of Applying Organization 
    • Please provide:

      • Verification of organization’s status (IRS letter of determination, W9, etc.)
      • Most recent two years of financial statement including organization’s budget and profit/loss statement (Audited is preferred or written explanation if audit not available.)
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    • CHECKLIST for completed Application 
    • All Applicants must submit a complete application with the following attachments and required information as detailed throughout the application to ensure the Board consideration for funding

    • Presentation to MCDC Board of Directors 
    • Completed applications that are eligible for consideration by MCDC will be presented to the board according to the schedule outlined on this application. Presentations will be limited to five (5) minutes, followed by time for questions from the Board. Please be prepared to provide the information outlined below in your presentation:

      • Summary of organization and goals.
      • Summary of event(s) to include dates, location, ticket prices, target audience, estimated attendance from within and outside of McKinney (and past attendance if applicable), event and pre-event activities, how event supports your organization’s mission, non-profit beneficiary if applicable,
      • Event logistics including timeline, safety/security, parking/traffic management
      • How your event showcase McKinney for tourism and economic development
      • Specific marketing plans for event(s) including promotional channels and budget for each.
      • Past promotional success and lessons learned (if applicable).
      • Percentage of total marketing budget that this grant application represents.
    • Acknowledgements and Grantee Assurances 
      • The Promotional/Community Event for which financial assistance is sought will be administered by or under the supervision of the applying organization.
      • All funds awarded will be used exclusively for advertising, marketing and promotion of the Promotional/Community event described in this application.
      • Recognition to MCDC:
        • MCDC will be recognized in all marketing, advertising, outreach and public relations as a funder of the Promotional/Community Event. A logo will be provided by MCDC for inclusion on all advertising, marketing and promotional materials. Specifics for audio messaging will be agreed upon by applicant and MCDC and included in an executed performance agreement.
        • Grant recipients are encouraged to use graphics and text from the MCDC Grantee Toolkit (to be provided to all grant recipients) for posts/ads to help share how MCDC partners with your organization.
      • The Organization officials who have signed the application are authorized by the organization to submit the application;
      • Applicant will comply with the MCDC Grant Guidelines in executing the Promotional/Community Event for which funds were received.
      • Applicant gives permission for the use of Board presentation images and other published event images on MCDC and City of McKinney website and social media content and print/digital publications.
      • Applicant will provide a final report of the Promotional/Community Event(s) no later than 30 days following the completion of the Promotional/ Community Event(s). Applicant may choose to use the online form for Final Report or email Final Report to info@mckinneycdc.org. If emailed, Final Report may be in any format. All Final Reports should include:
        • narrative report on the event(s),
        • goals and objectives achieved based on performance metrics outlined in the application,
        • financial data (budget vs. actual expenses and revenues along with explanation for variances,
        • amount donated to charity (if applicable),
        • samples of marketing efforts (images of printed materials and ads, screenshots of website and online promotions),
        • statement/examples demonstrating how grant recipient promoted MCDC as a partner, and
        • photos and/or video of the event(s).
      • Grant funding is provided on a reimbursement basis subsequent to submission of a reimbursement request, with copies of invoices and paid receipts for qualified expenses. Up to 20% of the grant awarded may be withheld until the final report on the Promotional/Community Event is provided to MCDC.
      • Funds granted must be used within one year of the date the grant is approved by the MCDC board.
    • Applicant Electronic Signature

    • Clear
    • Date*
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    • Clear
    • Date*
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    • Notes

      • Incomplete applications or those received after the deadline will not be considered.
      • A final report must be provided to MCDC within 30 days of the event / completion of the Promotional / Community Event.
      • Final payment of funding awarded will be made upon receipt of final report.
      • Please use the Final Report to report your results. A PDF version is also available.
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