Over $1,000 in Cash Prizes Available for Missouri Good Neighbor Week Submissions


Missouri Good Neighbor Week (MGNW) is returning this fall (Sept. 28 - Oct. 4) with a renewed focus on documenting acts of kindness and neighborliness. 

As an extra incentive this year, participants have a chance to win part of over $1,000 in cash prizes. All individuals who complete a short survey about their act of neighboring will be automatically entered into a random drawing for cash prizes.


“We didn’t want to continue selecting acts of neighboring we considered ‘best’ for prizes, because what is best varies from community to community depending on the needs of your neighbors,” said David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension and founder of Missouri Good Neighbor Week. “Instead, we want to encourage Missourians to visit our website and tell us about their act of neighboring. We want to reward 50 or so people for taking the time to tell us what they did.”


The goal for 2025 is ambitious: document 35,000 acts of neighboring during the week-long and statewide celebration.


In addition to individual prizes, four Missouri cities will be recognized as the state’s “Most Neighborly Cities” based in part on the number of reported acts from residents of that city or town. This recognition is designed to inspire community-wide participation and highlight areas where neighbors are actively supporting one another.


Missourians of all ages are encouraged to participate, whether it’s checking on an elderly neighbor, mowing someone’s lawn, organizing a block event, or simply offering a kind word. Every act matters — and every submission increases the chance to win.


For more information or to become a partner, please contact David Burton at burtond@missouri.edu or (417) 848-3442. 

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