Youth Outdoor Education Innovation Fund (YOEIF)

The Youth Outdoor Education Innovation Fund is codified in Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 81-1213.04 and 81‑1213.05 to construct, develop, or renovate a youth outdoor education camp located west of the one hundredth meridian that was destroyed by a natural or manmade disaster that occurred after January 1, 2022. The Fund permits the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to award one grant, not exceeding ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00), to a non-profit organization for the construction of the youth outdoor education camp.

Legislative Bill 644 (2025) (codified as Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-3,114) prohibits foreign adversarial companies from receiving benefits under an incentive program of the State of Nebraska. Prior to applying, please see Memo 25-04 Foreign Adversarial Company, found also in the Guidance Documents section. Applicants meeting the definition of foreign adversarial company will not be approved for benefits. See the final reading of LB644 for more information.

Who is Eligible to Apply? 

Eligible applicants will be a non-profit organization holding a certificate of exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, intending to construct a youth outdoor education camp located at or adjacent to the cite which was previously destroyed by a natural or manmade disaster after January 1, 2022.