Playground Funding

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How to Get Playground Funding

Creating a safe, engaging playground can transform a community.

Providing a space for children to play, socialise and stay active is a huge local asset.

This guide outlines effective ways to secure funding for a playground.

Define Your Vision and Goals

Purpose: Who will benefit? Highlight the impact on children, families, and the community.

Design: What kind of playground do you envision? Consider inclusive and eco-friendly designs.

Budget: Develop a detailed budget, including equipment, installation, maintenance, and accessibility features.

Research Playground Grants

Several UK organisations and charities offer grants for playgrounds. Examples include:

ASDA Foundation - Investing in Spaces and Places Grant: This grant offers funding of up to £25,000 for grassroots community organisations in the UK.

Aviva Community Fund: Funding for projects fostering better health and wellbeing for children, young people, and families.

British Ecological Society: School Ground Development Grants fund school projects which enhance the natural outdoor environment, such as ponds or nature reserves.

National Lottery Community Fund: Supports projects that improve communities and the lives of people within them.

Awards for All England: Offers grants up to £10,000 for community projects, including playgrounds.

Community Foundations: Localised organisations provide funding for community initiatives.

Tesco Community Grants: Focuses on projects benefiting children and young people.

Clare Duffield Foundation: Grants for schools and other children’s organisations fostering curiosity and creativity through the arts, culture, and heritage

Comic Relief Local: Grants for charities and community groups fostering social change in the local area.

Disability Grants: Gateway to national, regional, and local disability grants.

Ernest Cook Trust: Grants for educational projects promoting countryside, environmental and architectural conservation.

Fields in Trust: Grants for parks, schools and playing fields planning projects to revitalise grassroots sport in the local community.

Foyle Foundation: Grants for charities with a focus on children with SEN or learning difficulties planning projects which will have a positive impact on the public.

Greggs Foundation: Funds to help small local groups and organisations provide equipment or deliver projects.

Grants4schools: Use the free trial to access a wide database of school funding.

Groundwork: Supports projects with an environmental slant promoting better health and wellbeing for young people.

Heritage Lottery Fund: Part of the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery funds projects promoting communities, people, and heritage.

Landfill Communities Fund: Funding to support projects near landfill sites which enhance local communities.

Lankelly Chase: Grants for projects supporting young people and local areas.

Learning Through Landscapes: UK charity helping schools and EYFS settings make the most of outdoor spaces.

London Marathon Charitable Trust: Funds facilities that promote better opportunities for sport or play.

Lord’s Taverners: Grants for outdoor playgrounds and gym equipment for SEN schools.

Morrisons Foundation: Funding for projects that have a positive impact on local communities.

One Family Foundation: Funding for community projects that benefit families, including school play spaces.

People’s Postcode Trust: Funds projects that promote public participation in sport.

The Trust House: Grants to aid the improvement of deprived urban areas and fragile rural communities.

Veolia Environmental Trust: Funding for projects close to sites owned by Veolia Trust. Projects must have a remit to restore green spaces in local areas, including children’s play areas.

Wooden Spoon: Funds projects which benefit disadvantaged and disabled children.

Biffaward: Grants for community projects to create outdoor recreation spaces within 10 miles of a Biffa or landfill site.

BBC Children In Need: Grants for projects for disadvantaged children.

Check eligibility criteria and tailor your application to align with the funder’s priorities.

Collaborate with Local Authorities

Contact your local council to explore funding opportunities.

Many councils support community projects through small grants or partnerships. They may also help with site permissions, planning, and project oversight.

Engage the Community

A well-supported project is more likely to secure funding. Engage your community to demonstrate local demand and support:

Conduct surveys or petitions to gather input and evidence of need.

Host public meetings to involve residents in the planning process.

Launch a crowdfunding campaign on platforms like Spacehive or JustGiving.

Corporate Sponsorships and Donations

Reach out to local businesses for sponsorships or donations.

Offer opportunities for branding or acknowledgment on the playground, such as plaques or promotional events.

Apply for School or PTA Funding

If the playground will serve a school or nursery, approach the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for funding or partnership.

PTAs often run fundraising activities.

Host Fundraising Events

Organise events to engage the community and raise funds simultaneously:

Charity runs, walks, or bike rides.

Family fun days with games, food stalls, and raffles.

Quiz nights or auctions with donated prizes.

Consider Loan Options

If grants or donations don’t cover the full cost, consider applying for a low-interest loan from a community or charitable organisation.

Ensure your repayment plan is sustainable and approved by stakeholders.

Collaborate with Charities

Partner with organisations that advocate for children’s well-being or community development.

Charities like Play England or Fields in Trust may offer guidance, support, or funding opportunities.

Prepare a Strong Application

When applying for grants or sponsorships, ensure your application is compelling:

Explain the need: Use statistics and community feedback to highlight the benefits.

Show inclusivity: Demonstrate how the playground will cater to children of all abilities.

Provide a plan: Include timelines, a detailed budget, and evidence of community support.

For further resources, visit Play England or your local council’s website to explore specific funding opportunities.