Downtown Papillion glowing with holiday lights at Winter Wonderland
Papillion Community Foundation

Creating community where everyone feels at home

Since 1998, we've brought Papillion together through beloved traditions, community grants and projects like Veterans Park.

Give to Papillion Our story
NOV28Saturday

Winter Wonderland is almost here

Santa, real reindeer, carriage rides and the lighting of 800,000+ lights in Downtown Papillion.

4:00–8:00 PMDowntown PapillionFree
Plan your visit
Families lining the street for the Papillion Days parade Friends taking a selfie under the Winter Wonderland lights
1998serving Papillion
Who we are

Neighbors investing in the place we call home

The Papillion Community Foundation identifies, develops and supports community programs that enhance the quality of life in Papillion.

“A Papillion tradition that inspires the community, creates impact and shapes cherished moments.”

From Papillion Days and Winter Wonderland to Veterans Park and the Papillion 150 butterfly benches, every event and project is powered by local volunteers, sponsors and donors.

History & mission
Impact by the numbers

Your support reaches all of Papillion

Every ticket, sponsorship and gift does double duty: it brings the community together downtown, and it funds local nonprofits through our Community Impact Grants.

Reach

60,000+people brought to downtown Papillion by our events each year
50,000+visitors over five days of Papillion Days
13,000+neighbors at Winter Wonderland

Giving back

$51,700in grants and scholarships across our 2023 and 2025 grant cycles
25grants to local nonprofits, schools and community projects
3,916people served by our 2025 grant recipients

Where 2025 grants went

  • $1,000Access PeriodSarpy County Period Project2,500 people
  • $1,000Papillion Arts FoundationStorage for performance supplies1,000 people
  • $500Habitat for Humanity of OmahaPapillion Rock the Block & TODD clinic200 people
  • $1,200Sheltering TreeFarm to Table Garden Program54 people
  • $600Papillion La Vista Arts NetworkOriginal music for summer arts camp50 people
  • $1,000Vita NovaParenting class & infant oxygen monitor40 people
  • $1,000Leadership Sarpy & Vita NovaIndoor playground40 people
  • $1,200Heart HeroesTotes of Hope for heart families32 people
Apply for a 2026 grant
Our events

Traditions that bring Papillion together

All events
Santa greeting a child at Winter Wonderland
Sat, Nov 28 · Free Papillion's holiday kickoff

Winter Wonderland

Santa at the Portal Schoolhouse, carriage rides, live music and the 6:00 PM lighting ceremony.

 Crowds and carnival rides at Papillion Days
Father's Day weekend 2027

Papillion Days

Parade, carnival and Market in the Park, a tradition since 1947.

 Couple dancing at Derby Day
Spring 2027

Derby Day

 Golfers at the Fore the Foundation tournament
Fall 2027

Golf
Community Impact Grants

Your project could be next

Every year we fund local projects that make life better in Papillion and Sarpy County.

Affordable HousingArts & CultureEducationFinancial WellnessHealthRecreation
See how to apply
Don't miss it! Due Dec 1 Applications close at 5:00 PM
One application per organization. Email, mail or drop off at 109 N. Washington Street.
Get involved

Three ways to make Papillion better

01

Show up

Bring the family to Derby Day, Papillion Days, golf and Winter Wonderland.

See events
02

Volunteer

Every event runs on neighbors who give an evening, a morning or a weekend.

Find a role
03

Give

Gifts fund community grants, Veterans Park and the traditions Papillion loves.

Donate
Aerial view of Veterans Park with flags

Veterans Park

A place to honor those who served, built with the City of Papillion.

Visit the park
 Butterfly bench sculpture from Papillion 150

Funds & scholarships

Give to a fund that matters to you, or open one of your own.

Explore funds
“Creating community where everyone feels at home.”
Our vision
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