Great Bend has applied for a Levitt Music Series Grant worth $25,000 to help fund musical performances at upcoming city events such as June Jaunt, Party in the Park each Summer Street Stroll next year.
And the city’s chances to receive the funding look good, City Administrator Howard Partington said. Levitt Pavilions will fund 10 such programs across the country and Great Bend is the only city in Kansas to make the first cut of 20.
“We need your help to vote to get us into the finals,” Partington said. Residents can go to  amp.levittpavilions.org and click on “sign up to vote.”
“We need as many votes as possible and only have until Nov. 30 to get all the votes in that we can,” he said.
According to Levitt’s website, grants will be awarded to 10 U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, or municipalities partnering with a nonprofit, serving towns and cities with metro populations of up to 400,000.
Each grantee will receive up to $25,000 each in matching funds to present the Levitt AMP Music Series, a minimum of 10 free outdoor concerts presented over 10 consecutive weeks during 2015-16.
“This works out perfectly for Great Bend,” said Christina Hayes, community coordinator. The 10-week stretch would take in each of the activities the city has planned.
Since these are matching grants, each applicant must secure a dollar-for-dollar match up to $25,000 from other sources such as foundations, municipalities, nonprofits, businesses, etc. Up to half of the matching requirement may be in-kind, such as donated sound equipment or contributed marketing.
However, that won’t be a problem for Great Bend, Hayes said. With the money the city already spends on these events, there will be no issue making the match requirement.
Levitt doesn’t provide artists for the series, Hayes said. “We still have to find local and regional musicians.”
But, the money will help bring in higher quality acts. “This is just an enhancement,” she said.
 “This is really kind of exciting,” Hayes said.
The finalists will be announced Dec. 15.