Missouri Good Neighbor Week
Act. Report. Celebrate
Signed into law in 2022, Missouri Good Neighbor Week encourages residents to “participate in events and activities to establish connections with their neighbors.” Perform and report acts of neighboring any time of the year. Report your action via our website. Then during Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 - Oct. 4) we will celebrate by presenting awards. A Year of Neighboring Activity. A week to celebrate it.
So far in 2026 ...
Reporting and nominations are now open (below). As of June 7, we have had 14,420 acts of neighboring reported. MU Extension is also offering other programs during the year that involve neighboring and help build belonging. Plus these programs add additional points to any cities tally to become Missouri's Most Neighbor City.
acts of neighboring
Quick Report for Acts of Neighboring
Use this shorter survey to report your acts of neighboring more efficiently. However, since we do not collect your name and contact information in this version, you will not be eligible for our random prize drawing related to community events and neighborly awards.
Report Acts of Neighboring; Enter Prize Drawing
How do we know that 42,134 Acts of Neighboring took place across Missouri in 2025? Because you shared your experiences with us! To achieve our 2026 goal, we need you to report your Acts of Neighboring. Over the years, we’ve discovered that people are inspired to engage in community events when they see their neighbors taking action. What may seem like a small act to you could be the catalyst that inspires others, and together, we can build a stronger community deserving of the Neighborly Awards!
nominations - resources
Nominate a Most Engaged Neighbor
Do you have a neighbor who exemplifies Acts of Neighboring by going above and beyond to help others? We are seeking Missouri’s most engaged neighbors for our Neighborly Awards. Each year, we are amazed by the stories of neighborliness you share with us. All nominees will receive a small gift in recognition of their contributions. Winners will be announced during Missouri Good Neighbor Week, and you can easily nominate your most engaged neighbors online as part of our Community Events.
Nominate most neighborly business.
Businesses play a vital role in shaping the daily life of a community. While some simply provide goods and services, others engage in acts of neighboring that foster a sense of belonging. This award recognizes businesses that extend beyond mere transactions — building trust, uplifting people, and enhancing the social and economic wellbeing of their surroundings. Nominate your favorite business that exemplifies these qualities for the Neighborly Awards during our upcoming community events.
Where is most neighborly neighborhood?
The Most Neighborly Neighborhood in Missouri Award honors communities where residents engage in Acts of Neighboring, demonstrating care for one another while collaborating to enhance their environment. This can include apartment complexes, subdivisions, trailer parks, urban neighborhoods, and small communities. This nomination process helps us comprehend how neighbors engage in Community Events, address challenges, and foster a sense of belonging. We will award cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places to support these exemplary neighborhoods. Be sure to nominate your neighborhood online for the Neighborly Awards.
Most Neighborly Cities in Missouri
We are looking for the most neighborly cities in Missouri, celebrating outstanding acts of neighboring! You don’t need to apply, but it’s essential to participate in community events that showcase your city's spirit. A variety of criteria, including reported acts, nominations, and City Proclamations, are tallied to determine the winners of the Neighborly Awards. We've created helpful tools, such as sample proclamations, to give your city a strong start. Don’t forget to report any completed proclamations to support your efforts!
Resources for families
Get the kids involved with our downloadable coloring sheets! We also offer a list of 101 acts of neighboring to help jumpstart your planning for community events. Additionally, you will find helpful guides on the National Good Neighbor Day website, where you can also learn more about the Neighborly Awards.
Resources for organizations
You can find label templates here, our marketing kit, and a growing list of resources designed to help your organization celebrate Missouri Good Neighbor Week, including Acts of Neighboring and Community Events. Along with the links provided, you'll also discover helpful guides available on the National Good Neighbor Day website, perfect for preparing for the Neighborly Awards.
Neighborly news and 2025 results
The fourth year of Missouri Good Neighbor Week (2025) was a great success, showcasing numerous acts of neighboring. We exceeded our goal with over 42,000 reported acts of neighboring and celebrated 20 outstanding individuals in Missouri with Neighborly Awards for their engagement. Additionally, six cities were recognized as the most neighborly in their size category during our community events. It's also enjoyable to reflect on the winners from 2023.
Help spread the word
Download this year's Communications and Marketing Kit to find easy-to-use tools for inviting others to participate in celebrating Missouri Good Neighbor Week, which features various community events. This kit is particularly helpful for organizations and cities looking to promote Acts of Neighboring. Additionally, you can access and download logos for the holiday to use online or in print. A special thanks to KY3 in Springfield, Mo for supporting the week with PSAs and recognizing those who contribute through the Neighborly Awards.
Learning to engage with neighbors
There are various ways to learn about Acts of Neighboring and to engage with other practitioners. We recommend exploring the University of Missouri Extension programs such as Show Me Neighborhood Art Month (June), the Neighborhood Leadership Academy (fall), and Neighboring 101 (year-round). You might also be interested in finding out more about the Engaged Neighbor program. Additionally, we have a growing collection of research documents on neighboring available as peer-reviewed guidesheets online. Don’t forget to check out our Community Events and consider participating in the Neighborly Awards to recognize outstanding contributions in your community.
Sponsors make the week possible.
Bringing this celebration to life takes more than goodwill; it requires support. That’s why we’re excited to offer businesses and organizations the chance to sponsor Missouri Good Neighbor Week, a time to recognize inspirational acts of neighboring and engage with community events that foster connection. By sponsoring, you help amplify the reach and impact of this meaningful initiative, including the celebration of the Neighborly Awards. We welcome gifts of any size.
Mission, Vision and Goals
The future of neighboring will not arrive through a national campaign or a perfect plan. It will come quietly, as small acts of neighboring accumulate into something powerful: a culture where people no longer live beside one another as strangers, but as neighbors who recognize that the health of their community begins right outside their front door. The mission, vision, and goals for Missouri Good Neighbor Week illustrate how this week of community events can grow and create impact, culminating in the prestigious Neighborly Awards that celebrate those who embody the spirit of connection.
Read About it: The Neighboring Playbook
"The Neighboring Playbook" is a new book from Missouri Good Neighbor Week creator David Burton. This insightful guide shares the journey of establishing Missouri Good Neighbor Week, highlights its impact, and outlines its structure. Additionally, it introduces a process for expanding the concept of acts of neighboring through community events and even suggests how to implement Neighborly Awards to recognize contributions within your own community or state.