Where the money goes
Every charity goes home with money.
Snake Saturday was built so the charities win. Nonprofits enter the parade or the cook-off, and every one that takes part leaves with a check. Sponsors fund the prizes; volunteers run the rest.
How it works
Three ways charities get paid.
Parade floats
501(c)(3) charities pay a $50 entry and compete for cash. The 2023 top prize was $7,500, down to $500 for 16th place.
Charity Cook-off
Charities grill steaks the night before the parade. A $6,000 purse, $1,000 for first, and at least $100 for everyone.
Auctions
Live and silent auctions at the Grand Marshal's Emerald Hooley, plus the Emerald Cash Award for one organization.
Prize money
$51,000 paid out in 2025.
Every check handed out at the 3 p.m. awards and the cook-off, by category.
| Prize money | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow (501(c)(3) floats) | $28,400 | $25,700 |
| FOGY (families, organizations, youth) | $7,850 | $6,850 |
| Performance | $3,450 | $2,500 |
| School Spirit | $3,150 | $1,500 |
| Charity Cook-off | $6,900 | $6,500 |
| Cook-off box decorating | $250 | $250 |
| Hooley Emerald Cash Award | $1,000 | – |
| Scholarships | – | $5,000 |
| Total | $51,000 | $48,300 |
Source: Northland Festivals' prize payout records for the 2025 and 2024 parades.
The books, in public
About 40 cents of every dollar goes back out.
Northland Festivals runs on about $130,000 a year, and nobody on the board is paid. Here's 2025, from its own IRS filing.
| Spending, 2025 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Parade prizes to entrants | $50,000 |
| Scholarships | $5,000 |
| Parade and festival operations | $28,628 |
| Insurance | $10,817 |
| Office, advertising, publicist, admin | $31,075 |
| Grand Marshal celebration | $5,747 |
| Back to the community as prizes and scholarships | 40% |
Source: Northland Festivals, Inc. Form 990-EZ for FY2025, Schedule O. Northland Festivals is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit; gifts to it are not tax-deductible. Figures to be confirmed by the board before launch.
2026
44 charities competed last year.
The 501(c)(3) float division and the Charity Cook-off, 2026. Want to help one directly? Visit its site or give to it there: those gifts go straight to the charity, not to Northland Festivals.
- A Bum’s CharitiesCharity Cook-off
- A Turning PointFood pantry, clothes closet and an adult high school diploma program in Gladstone. Charity Cook-offWebsiteGive to A Turning Point
- Adaptive Warrior KC FoundationParade float
- Amiyahs AngelsCharity Cook-off
- Boy Scout Troop 992Charity Cook-off
- Briarcliff Business Partner AllianceCharity Cook-off
- Central Auto Racing BoostersCharity Cook-off
- Cryptic Masons Medical Research FoundationCharity Cook-off
- Finish Strong FoundationCharity Cook-off
- First Baptist Church, North Kansas CityParade float
- Friends In Service of Heroes (FISH)Volunteers supporting veterans with service dogs, health aids and recognition events. Charity Cook-offWebsiteGive to Friends In Service of Heroes
- Gelle FoundationCharity Cook-off
- Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW MissouriParade float
- Gladstone Rotary ClubRotary club serving the Gladstone community. Charity Cook-offWebsite
- Halos And HogsCharity Cook-off · Parade float
- Heart of America Newfoundland RescueParade float
- Heartland Church of ChristCharity Cook-off
- Independence 76 Fire CompanyParade float
- Jordans jumpstartCharity Cook-off
- JuneteenthKC (2026 Pageant Girls)Programs that teach and celebrate African American heritage in Kansas City. Parade floatWebsite
- Kansas City English Bulldog RescueRescues, fosters and rehomes English and French Bulldogs. Parade floatWebsiteGive to Kansas City English Bulldog Rescue
- Kansas City OasisA community for secular families offering support and charitable service. Parade floatWebsiteGive to Kansas City Oasis
- Kansas City Zoo & AquariumAnimal care, education and conservation. Parade floatWebsiteGive to Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
- KCPD Friends & FamilyCharity Cook-off · Parade float
- Lee’s Summit Underwater RecoveryVolunteer water rescue, recovery and water-safety education across the KC area. Parade floatWebsiteGive to Lee’s Summit Underwater Recovery
- Liberty Sertoma ClubCharity Cook-off
- Life Unlimited IncHousing, job training and community services for people with disabilities, on Armour Road in North Kansas City. Charity Cook-off · Parade floatWebsiteGive to Life Unlimited Inc
- Lost & Found KCMOCharity Cook-off
- M.G.R.A. (Missouri Gay Rodeo Association)Parade float
- Missouri German Shepherd Rescue (MOGS)Rehabilitates German Shepherds and places them in foster and adoptive homes. Charity Cook-off · Parade floatWebsiteGive to Missouri German Shepherd Rescue
- North Kansas City RotaryCharity Cook-off
- Northland Animal Welfare Society (NAWS)Parade float
- Northland Clown GuildParade float
- Northland JC FoundationCharity Cook-off
- Northland Shepherd’s CenterCharity Cook-off
- Our Lady of Mercy Country HomeParade float
- Redemptorist Social Services CenterFood, clothing and medical help for families and neighborhoods since 1986. Charity Cook-off · Parade floatWebsiteGive to Redemptorist Social Services Center
- Relay for Life of KC North/American Cancer SocietyNorth Kansas City's American Cancer Society Relay For Life event. Parade floatWebsiteGive to Relay for Life of KC North/American Cancer Society
- Santa AmericaParade float
- Teamsters Horse HitchParade float
- The Breakfast ClubCharity Cook-off
- The Dakota Roger’s ProjectCharity Cook-off
- Troop 96Parade float
- Wayside WaifsKansas City no-kill animal shelter finding homes for companion animals. Parade floatWebsiteGive to Wayside Waifs
From the organizers' published 2026 results. Links checked October 2026; charities not linked yet will be added as the board confirms them.