Last Chance to Submit Your Art Grant!
The season is officially here. If you have a dream for the burn, it’s time to put pen to paper.
The Highlights
- Deadline: February 9, 2026.
- The Goal: We fund new projects or significant expansions to existing ones.
- The “W9” Rule: Any grant over $300 requires a W9.
- Materials Only: We fund wood, steel, and LEDs, not labor or personal tools.
Looking Forward, Staying Connected
We write these blogs, we send the InfoBot, and we post to socials, but we know the info isn’t always reaching everyone. We never want the “Org” to feel like a shadowy figure or a black box. This entire community is built by all of us, and transparency is our priority.
How can we help you stay informed? We’re workshopping new ways to keep the connection alive all year
- Did you tune into the Ignition Live Stream?
- Would you attend more Online Community Events or digital town halls?
- Would you attend in person ones?
- How do you want to hear from us in the future?
Please take two minutes to fill out our Community Connection Form so we can build the communication tools you actually want to use.
Communal Effort in Trying Times
Our Coat & Gear Drive was a staggering success. We collected dozens of coats and warm blankets for Care Beyond the Boulevard (the free healthcare for the unhoused companion to NourishKC’s free kitchen), helping our unhoused neighbors navigate a brutal KC winter.
In these trying times, we want to know: What else can we do? How can the Midwest Burners better embody Communal Effort and Civic Responsibility throughout the year? Whether it’s mutual aid, local service days, or collaborative builds, we want to hear your ideas.
Now Seeding:
The Community Events Committee
Each of the Midwest Burners Association events puts %5 of ticket sales directly to Regional Development. This funding is used towards leadership development and community outreach opportunities (like Ignition). To manage this, we are officially forming a new Community Events Committee.
We want YOU! We are looking for 1–2 representatives per city/region (similar to a Regional Contact model) in the following areas:
- Kansas City
- Topeka
- Wichita
- Columbia
- St. Louis
- Tulsa
- Springfield
- Northwest Arkansas
This isn’t just about party planning. While we love a good shindig, this committee is about any kind of outreach that brings our community together. The ideas are entirely up to you. Want to host a summer park BBQ? A group museum trip? A neighborhood service day or a local “meet the burners” coffee hour? You tell us. We want local leads who know their city’s vibe and can help bridge the gap between the big summer burns.
The ideal candidates are:
- Reasonably connected within their local burner scene.
- Natural “connectors” who inspire others to participate.
- Experienced or interested in event planning and logistics.
- Bonus! Do you have experience planning non-profit events?
If you want to help shape the future of how we gather outside of the burn…