How to Afford School Playground Equipment Without Breaking the Budget: Grants, Fundraisers, and Smart Planning Tips
Did your school board nix funding for a school playground? Are other rising costs getting priority over building a new playground? If so, you may be surprised to learn that outside resources are available to help offset any costs of playground equipment.
With the right support and team, there are ways to afford a new playground without breaking the budget. Read on for tips and tricks.
Apply for Grants
Playground grants are one of the best funding sources because they help cover the costs of purchasing, installing, and creating safer neighborhood and school playgrounds. Grants can cover a significant portion — if not all — of the necessary funding needed to build a school playground. Additionally, developers can apply for grants from different sources to secure the funds.
Grants will vary based on their source. Grants can come from government agencies, including municipal, state, and federal governments. These types of grants may be limited by geographic location which is why it’s important to do your research thoroughly. Applying for a grant that you won’t qualify for is a waste of time and resources. Local government grants may be easier to win as opposed to nationwide grants; start small, checking with town and city grants before going state or nationwide.
Grants can also come from non-profit organizations and corporations. Local businesses want the community to thrive and may have some reserved money to help develop these types of neighborhood-based projects. Grocery stores, box retailers, and other nationally recognized corporations are all places to check out and ask about school playground equipment grants.
When applying for a grant, you want to make your project goals clear and concise. State why you are applying for this particular grant and what you will use the funding for. It’s not enough to say you will use the money to build a playground. Instead, be specific and claim that this money will go toward purchasing equipment or construction work. Keep sentences short and to the point. Answer each question exactly as stated and provide additional information at the end, if needed.
Also, include a reasoning behind why you are building a playground in a specific area. If there is no other playground within a 10-mile radius, for instance, be sure to include this. If you are updating a park and adding a playground to an underserved community, brag about what you are trying to do for the community. This is your one chance to sell the playground and all the good it can bring to those who will use it.
Start a Fundraiser
One way to get the entire school involved with the construction of a new playground is through a fundraiser. Fundraising events can boost community engagement and get the buy-in from parents, administrators, and other residents. Many fundraisers can also involve the children, teaching them the power of community and how to support something from the ground up.
Traditional fundraising events such as bake sales, raffles, and car washes are all good places to start. These events require little effort and can lead to big rewards. Hosting a few bake sales throughout the year at school functions, for instance, can be quite profitable. A raffle in partnership with the school’s basketball or baseball team can also be a good long-term fundraising effort.
Other fundraisers such as talent shows, silent auctions, and walk-a-thons may require a bit more effort, but they can also be worthwhile. Many of these types of events will be one-offs, meaning you’ll need to get participants to show up in addition to donating. That said, older school-aged children may value these types of events more knowing what is at stake.
Online fundraising is another popular option thanks to social media. Crowdfunding platforms such as GoFundMe can be advantageous for getting the word out about your playground plans to a wider audience. Social media campaigns can also be valuable. Parents and administrators can share and repost Instagram and Facebook posts and stories to their followers. Also, online auctions and raffles are another opportunity to reach a larger audience pool.
Be Smart About Your Budget
Building a school playground is more than just having the right amount of funding. Proper budget planning is needed before, during, and after the project to ensure the school’s goals are met. Even before you think about what the playground will look like or how you want kids to enjoy it, go back to the needs of the school. What is the purpose of this playground and who will it serve? What types of equipment will be needed so all children at the school can enjoy it?
Asking yourself these types of questions will help refine your objectives while also keeping your budget in mind. Next, do some research on the types of equipment that will best meet your needs. Be mindful of your current space and any restrictions put in place by the school or local governance.
Once you’ve conducted your research, break up your budget based on expense. The actual equipment will likely be the biggest cost followed by installation, surfacing, and other amenities such as fencing and seating area. Labor can also be costly so be sure to keep this top of mind as well. With your budget in place, you’ll know exactly what types of grants and fundraising dollars you’ll need to secure to build the school playground of your community’s dreams.
