The McKinney Community Development Corp. announced the distribution of $125,470 in Promotional and Community Event Grants to sixteen local organizations this week. The funding is intended to support marketing efforts for festivals, concerts, markets, and other community gatherings throughout McKinney over the next year.
George Fuller, chair of the MCDC Board, emphasized the connection between participation and promotion. "Successful community events begin with strong community participation, and effective marketing plays an important role in making that happen," Fuller said. "These grants give organizations additional resources to promote their events more effectively, bringing more people together to experience everything McKinney has to offer."
McKinney Main Street received the largest single award of $15,000 to support the 2026 McKinney Oktoberfest. The Heritage Guild of Collin County was awarded $11,500 to fund programming at Chestnut Square, which includes weekly farmers markets, educational sessions, the Ghostly Hauntings event, the Holiday Tour of Homes, Holiday at the Square events, and trolley tours.
The Texas Women's Society also received $11,500 to support the 2026 McKinney Asian Art and Food Festival. The McKinney Chamber Foundation was granted $10,000 for the 2026 Dia de los Muertos celebration at TUPPS Brewery, while the McKinney Repertory Theatre received $10,000 for its 2026-2027 season.
The Collin County Master Gardeners were awarded $10,000 for events including the Garden Show and other programming at Myers Park.
Other recipients include the McKinney Rotary Foundation, which received $9,220 for the 2026 McKinney Parade of Lights, and the MillHouse Foundation, which was awarded $7,500 for the 2026-2027 Atrium Gallery Exhibits. The Millennial Maven Creative Foundation received $7,000 for the 2026 Rooted in Rhythm event and related pre-events at District 121.
