06/16/2026
Dream Big, O’Neill: $5,000 Up for Grabs for Youth-Led Community Projects
What would you change about O’Neill if you had $5,000 to make it even better? An outdoor movie theatre under the Nebraska stars? A brand-new disc golf course? A mural that tells the story of the Irish Capital of Nebraska? A total glow-up for a park, alley, or hangout spot that needs some love? Now’s your chance.
The O’Neill Community Foundation Fund (OCFF) is inviting students to pitch bold, creative, community-changing ideas, and they’re putting $5,000 on the table to help bring those dreams to life.
This Is YOUR Community. What Will You Build?
This opportunity isn’t about small thinking. It’s about vision.
Have you ever said:
🟢“There’s nothing to do here.”
🟢 “I wish we had ______.”
🟢 “Someone should really fix that.”
❓What if that “someone” was you?
The OCFF wants projects that:
🟢 Make O’Neill an even better place to live
🟢 Bring people together
🟢 Leave a lasting impact
🟢 Show leadership and heart
Whether it’s creating a space for teens to gather, improving a trail, organizing a large-scale service effort, starting a new community tradition, or building something totally original, this is your moment.
đź’ĄBig Ideas Welcome
Need inspiration? Here are just a few ideas students have tossed around:
🟢 Outdoor Movie Theatre in the park
🟢 Community mural or public art installation
🟢 Beautification of a neglected area
🟢 A clean-up and revitalization project
🟢 A youth-led community event or festival
But don’t stop there. Dream bigger. Here’s How It Works
Students in grades 6th – 12th grade will complete a short application pitching their idea:
Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRb6bKXw_jtFSD6x76MlgeNVFxHVused4I-BaGyk5g1rKtWg/viewform
Selected projects will receive funding and the support needed to move from idea to reality. There is no minimum dollar amount you must apply for, so there is a potential for multiple ideas and great projects to be funded.
Parents & Friends: Encourage Them to Go For It
This isn’t just about a grant. It’s about:
👉🏻Leadership
👉🏻Initiative
👉🏻Real-world project management experience
👉🏻College and scholarship resume building
👉🏻Making a visible difference in your hometown
This is a chance for young leaders to step forward, collaborate, problem-solve, and see their vision come to life in a way that impacts the entire community.
The Future of O’Neill Is Sitting in a Classroom Right Now
O’Neill has always been built by people who care enough to act. Now it’s the next generation’s turn.
So students, gather your friends. Sketch the idea. Build the plan. Pitch the dream. Because the only thing better than saying, “Someone should do something,” is saying, “We did.”
For questions, please feel free to reach out to Nicole Sedlacek (402) 340-0190 or [email protected]. An OCFF member will reach out to you after your submission.
The O'Neill Community Foundation Fund exists to improve the quality of life here in O'Neill, Nebraska, now and forever, and to build a culture of giving. We award grants to community organizations and projects and manage a variety of funds established by families, individuals and
businesses. We are here to help our community. We are here to help donors do good work.... For good. For ever. O'Neill Community Foundation
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRb6bKXw_jtFSD6x76MlgeNVFxHVused4I-BaGyk5g1rKtWg/viewform
The O'Neill Community Foundation Fund [OCFF]. The Foundation Board wishes to prioritize funding for youth-led projects that improve the community.
