Before we share who Won, let’s discuss who did not win.
Pillen's travel companions! Pillen's travel buddies and lobbyists did not win this "No-Bid" giveaway, because they already got a possibly illegal $2.5 Million No Bid Contract from Governor Pillen.
Nebraskans for Accountability and Honesty (NAH) launched the giveaway in response to the controversy surrounding a $2.5 million no-bid state contract awarded to Global Sustainability Developers, a company owned by lobbyist Julie Bushell. Gov. Jim Pillen recommended Bushell for the contract, which has been the subject of a law-enforcement investigation.
The NAH giveaway offered a pointed contrast: Instead of allowing one politically connected person to receive a multimillion-dollar contract without competition, NAH invited businesses and organizations throughout Nebraska to apply openly for ten $5,000 awards.
“This campaign began with a simple premise: Public processes should be open, decisions should be transparent, and people should have a fair opportunity to be considered,” Kay said. “These 10 recipients show how far $50,000 can go when it is distributed across Nebraska communities instead of handed to one well-connected insider.”
Ten Nebraska businesses and community programs will each receive $5,000 following the open statewide application process.
“We received applications from Nebraskans across the state who told us exactly what they would do with $5,000—and how that investment could help their businesses, their families and their communities,” said Jenny Kay, spokesperson for Nebraskans for Accountability and Honesty. “These recipients demonstrate what can happen when an opportunity is made public, the process is open, and Nebraskans are given a fair chance to participate.”
The 2026 recipients are:
Grant Mathey
Texttag is developing a dog-based home-safety device designed to assist older adults, people who live alone and service-dog handlers. Mathey plans to use the award to promote the device and reach more potential users.
Texttag, Omaha
TODD HASS
Hass Home Improvements is a family-owned home-repair business that frequently serves older adults, people with disabilities and lower-income residents. The award will help the company replace aging tools and replenish its supply of grab bars and other accessibility materials, which it sometimes provides to clients at no cost.
Hass Home Improvements, Fremont
Women4Her, Fremont
Terese Moore
Women4Her provides perinatal supplies and support for breastfeeding and maternal mental health including education and routine community support groups. The organization plans to use the funding to expand its services, including exploring the addition of a maternal mental health therapist.
The Rock Island Summer Baseball Program serves players from Northeast Lincoln. The award will support the program and help maintain some of the lowest player fees in Lincoln.
Rock Island Summer Baseball, Lincoln
KYLE PARKER
Paula & Antonio AlmazaN
Papi Churros is a family-owned food business that currently operates primarily through a tent at events and catering engagements. The award will help wrap and brand the company’s food truck, allowing the business to operate during colder months and create a more stable year-round source of income.
Papi Churros LLC, Lincoln
Habe Honey Co., Hickman
AMY HABE
Habe Honey Co. is a mother-and-son beekeeping business whose first honey harvest sold out in 12 hours. The award will help the family add hives and bees, purchase extraction and bottling equipment and increase local honey production while supporting Nebraska pollinators.
Terry McBride
McBride Trucking is an independently owned trucking company navigating rising fuel costs and the delay between completing deliveries and receiving payment. The award will help cover fuel expenses and keep trucks operating while the company waits for invoices to be paid.
McBride Trucking, Davenport
ANONYMOUS
This local business has served the community for approximately a decade. The award will support the continued operation of a business that gives Kenesaw residents access to groceries close to home.
Kenesaw
Crossroads Music, Scottsbluff
JENNIFER CASTRO
Crossroads Music operates a music store and lesson program in Scottsbluff. The award will help the business construct two lesson rooms inside its existing store, allowing it to continue offering music instruction without maintaining a separate, increasingly expensive rental space.
DARRICK ALDER
Alder Plant Nursery is a family business that grows and sells plants from seeds and starter plants. The award will help replace the film on its primary greenhouse, purchase soil and starter plants for its 2027 inventory and potentially support additional growing space.
Alder Plant Nursery, Giltner
This is 100% real. It’s as real as the money Jim Pillen has handed to his friends.
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IS THIS REAL?
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
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Because government contracts shouldn’t be about who you know. Or alleged affairs. Nebraska taxpayers deserve transparency, competition and a fair shot. If the Governor can hand out no-bid contracts to insiders, we figured regular Nebraskans deserved a shot too.
WHAT’S ALL THIS ABOUT GOVERNOR JIM PILLEN AND NO-BID CONTRACTS?
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Since taking office, Governor Jim Pillen’s administration has faced scrutiny over state contracts awarded without competitive bidding—including deals involving political allies and people with close ties to his administration.
No open competition. No competing bids. Nebraska taxpayers pick up the tab.
We think Nebraskans deserve to know where their money is going—and who is getting it.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO
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Tell us what your business would do with a $5,000 contract.
Keep it simple.
Winners will be selected based on their submissions—not by chance.