grants and funding
How to get funding for your playground project
What is a playground grant?
A grant is financial aid from different types of organisations that allocate funds for playground projects in the community. Grants are a great way to realise a playground project or an outdoor fitness site because not only will a grant boost the overall budget and help your project immensely, the money allocated is for free and must not be repaid. Playground grants can come from different pools, such as:
Corporate or business grants
National grants
Foundation grants
Individual grants
Applying for funding and grants may seem like a big hill to climb, as many stakeholders are involved. We are happy to advise and guide you from the start of your funding journey.
Who can apply for a playground grant?
Whether you are looking to fund a playground as a school, kindergarten, local council, or non-profit organisation, grant funding opportunities are available for all!Remember that specific grants require specific projects, and different stakeholders will be relevant depending on your project. For example, a stakeholder may specifically want to support a community with special needs, and as such would like to direct funds towards a playground that prioritises inclusive design. To give you an overview, we can take you through how to start your search for funding.
Finding a donor match
1. Local Prospects
2. National Prospects
3. Fundraising
Grant application process
1. Consult the experts
We recommend that you get your local KOMPAN playground consultant involved as early in the process as possible. We have a vast knowledge of the grant application process and can often guide you in the right direction. We can assist you with the fundamentals of the application, such as visualising your project and break down of costs. We also recommend involving children (the true play experts) and getting their input.
2. Form the application team
3. Agree on a budget and design
4. Start networking
5. Sign-off and apply
6. Receive grant money - let’s go!
Six tips for writing a playground grant application
No playground grant application is the same, but there are some common tips on how to write the best application possible and making the process go smoothly. We have collected our best tips for you here:
Start early: The application process takes time, and there is much of preparation before sending out applications. So, start early to ensure you have time to gather all the necessary information.
Know the fund you’re applying for: Ensure you follow the grant requirements thoroughly. This includes ensuring that the fund is willing to give grants to playground projects and that the grant is eligible in your district.
Align your cause to their cause: In continuation of no. 2, align your cause with the funds. If they want to create healthier communities or enhance the community’s outdoor activity areas, highlight and discuss that specifically in relation to your project. Promote your story about how the playground will benefit your local community so stakeholders know how their engagement is beneficial.
Know your audience and their needs: What does your own community/school/kindergarten need? Knowing and answering these questions is a vital part of the application - highlight that people in your local community support the project.
Be specific and know your details: Write clearly and professionally and learn the details of your project; Include visuals of the layout, breakdown of costs and the timeline for the project. When the fundraising process begins, donations for a specific playground product might be more straightforward, therefore we recommend including a list with product prices within the overall budget.
Proofread – and read again: It’s a good idea to ask someone unfamiliar with the project to read through the application before applying. Typos can occur and ruin what could be an amazing application.
Remember - You have a good cause. Playgrounds help children become more active and encourage healthier lifestyles.
Want to start planning your outdoor play and fitness area?
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