The Mid-America Regional Council is a nonprofit association of city and county governments and the metropolitan planning organization for the bistate Kansas City region. Governed by a board of local elected officials, MARC serves nine counties and 120 cities. MARC provides a forum for the region to work together to advance social, economic and environmental progress. MARC is funded by federal, state and private grants, local contributions and earned income. A major portion of its budget is passed through to local governments and other agencies for programs and services.