nbkc bank Expands Community Involvement in 2025 With Support of Major Kansas City Events

Announces Key Support for National WWI Museum and Memorial and Garmin Kansas City Marathon

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanding its community support in 2025, nbkc bank announced it is taking a lead role in supporting two iconic Kansas City events that bring people together, enrich the Kansas City region and provide engagement opportunities for its customers and employees.

nbkc will help underwrite free admission for active-duty military members, veterans and their families throughout the Memorial Day weekend, May 23-26, at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Later in the year, nbkc will be the official banking partner and a gold level sponsor of the Garmin Kansas City Marathon, which takes place on October 18.

"With 25 years in Kansas City, we're always looking for ways to support the people and organizations that make this city and region so special," said Michael Bartkoski, CEO of nbkc bank. "The National WWI Museum and Memorial's observation of Memorial Day and the Garmin Kansas City Marathon are events that bring the community together, and we're thrilled to be a big part of both of them." 

National WWI Museum and Memorial Partnership

Memorial Day weekend is the National WWI Museum and Memorial's busiest. nbkc is helping to ensure weekend-long access for active-duty military members, veterans and their families (spouses and dependents, with ID), who historically represent more than 20 percent of Memorial Day weekend attendance. 

"Providing veterans supportive mortgage and banking relationships is an important part of nbkc's mission," Bartkoski said. "But we are committed to supporting active-duty military members and veterans in other meaningful ways that show our appreciation. Making sure they can experience Memorial Day at the National WWI Museum and Memorial is one way for us to give back to those who have given so much."

"We are very grateful for nbkc's support of the Museum and Memorial and of active-duty military members and veterans," said Matthew Naylor, CEO of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. "Memorial Day is critically important to all Americans, and this is especially true of our military personnel and veterans. Thanks to partners like nbkc, they and their families can experience our Memorial Day weekend observation free of charge."

Garmin KC Marathon Sponsorship

The Garmin Kansas City Marathon is by far the largest annual race event in the Kansas City region, attracting more than 8,000 runners. As the race's official banking partner, and a gold level sponsor, nbkc provides the Marathon invaluable financial support that helps to ensure its ongoing success.The Garmin KC Marathon is the largest annual fundraiser for the Kansas City Sports Commission, and the sponsorship also provides nbkc employees the opportunity to participate in or volunteer for the Marathon.

"At nbkc, we embrace the spirit of competition and the drive to push beyond limits—values that resonate both in racing and in how we serve our customers," Bartkoski said. "Just as runners strive for their personal best, nbkc is committed to putting our best foot forward every day, delivering innovative banking solutions that help our customers reach their financial goals. We're thrilled to be the official banking partner of this year's Marathon and look forward to crossing the finish line together."

Dave Borchardt, vice president of corporate and community relations at the Kansas City Sports Commission, said, "We are very excited to have nbkc as our official banking partner. Their financial support is very appreciated, and already they have shown great enthusiasm and creativity for engaging fully as our partner in putting forth another very successful Marathon. Their energy and commitment to being involved is exactly what makes the Marathon so special."

nbkc's Community Involvement

These new sponsorships expand nbkc's existing deep commitment of Kansas City and its support of numerous Kansas City charities including Junior Achievement, Boys and Girls Clubs, Veterans Community Project, Westside Housing and Mother's Refuge. In addition to financial support, nbkc provides paid time off for its employees to engage in volunteer activity. In 2024 alone, nbkc employees volunteered more than 3,000 hours to local causes.

About nbkc

Having marked its 25th anniversary in 2024, nbkc is a mainstay in the Kansas City region and a diversified banking company known for combining intuitive technology and personal support to create exceptional client experiences. We offer online mortgage and consumer banking nationally; community and commercial banking throughout our home region of Kansas City; and banking as a service to fintech companies across the U.S. Formed in 1999, nbkc continues to pursue its mission of leading the industry to simpler and more transparent banking.

About the National WWI Museum and Memorial

The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America's leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum and Memorial takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America's official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National WWI Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations.

About The Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation 

 The mission of the Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation is to drive Kansas City's overall sports strategy, to enrich the quality of life, create economic impact and raise visibility for our region. As a privately funded nonprofit, we are entirely dependent on your support. For the latest on Kansas City Sports Commission news, follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Also follow the Garmin Kansas City Marathon on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Melissa Beltrame, nbkc bank
[email protected]

Janine Smiley, CruxKC
[email protected]

SOURCE nbkc bank