Festival Country’s board approved a $2,500 sponsorship for Raising Spirits’ annual bourbon-tasting fundraiser after the applicant described the event’s history of drawing out-of-county attendees and local nonprofit beneficiaries.

Anthony Gregory, who identified himself as a board member for Raising Spirits, told the board the event expects about 500 attendees and has previously drawn more than 100 people from outside Johnson County; he said this year’s registration already included roughly 40 people from outside the county and outside the state and that the event historically has raised more than $400,000 for local charities over multiple years.

The grant committee had recommended denying the request as a grant; after discussion the board treated the contribution as a sponsorship—meaning Festival Country would receive marketing exposure, tickets for giveaways and other promotional benefits. Several board members said that framing changed their view because sponsorship yields direct publicity for Festival Country.

One board member announced an abstention from the vote because a listed beneficiary employs that member’s spouse; the abstention was recorded in the meeting. After discussion, motion to approve the $2,500 sponsorship was moved and seconded and carried.

Festival Country staff said they will coordinate logo placement, hotel blocks and ticket allocation with the event organizers and requested follow-up to finalize promotional deliverables and timing.