Has your public school’s playground seen better days? While having a playground accessible to students is a step in the right direction, one in disrepair or one that needs some TLC can pose a risk to students.
Safety aside, an outdated playground isn’t the best reflection on the school itself. It can be a sign of neglect and a lack of prioritization of student recreation as well as physical activity.
To avoid this situation, it’s always a good idea to find ways to upgrade public school playgrounds for the betterment of the students as well as the community overall.
While upgrading a playground isn’t exactly easy, it is well worth the time, energy, and money that goes into it.
Keep reading to learn some funding strategies to get started on the playground improvement project.
Grants
One of the first places to seek funding is through grants. National, state, and local grants are available to public schools to support their efforts.
This includes optimizing or upgrading commercial playground equipment. A quick Google search will lead you to numerous places to apply for grants.
However, the key is to focus on grants that align with your school’s goals in order not to waste your time with the application process.
The U.S. Department of Education supports children’s health and physical activity levels; however, these grants may be more competitive because they are available to every school within the United States.
The same goes for large nonprofits such as KaBoom!, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending playspace inequity. While these are good places to conduct your initial research, you may also want to inquire about state and local grants.
There is a higher likelihood of winning these just based on your geographic location.
Big box retailers within your school’s neighborhood may also have funding set aside for businesses.
For instance, Lowe’s, Walmart, Costco, and Wells Fargo are all known to have giving programs for different educational and school-based needs. Your town’s city hall or other local government establishments may also be able to point you in the right direction for getting the kind of funding you need.
Community Fundraising
In addition to grants, another way to garner support for upgrading a public school’s playground is with community fundraising.
These efforts foster a sense of ownership amongst parents, caregivers, students, teachers, and faculty while also enhancing the school’s overall playground space.
Fundraising brings everyone together for a common good while also creating positive change for the public school.
There are plenty of creative fundraising options, ranging from bake sales to car washes to talent shows.
These types of forums allow students to get involved as well, teaching them what it takes to do their part in order to create a school that they are proud of. Other larger events, such as auctions, themed runs and walks, or yard sales, can also be leveraged to bring in additional dollars.
While these events may require a bit more planning, the return can be even greater.
In today’s social media-savvy, digital-leaning world, online and crowd-based platforms can also be utilized for fundraising and donations. Social media campaigns are another great way to create buzz and capture attention amongst parents and residents.
Sites like GoFundMe and Kickstarter can be used to share your school’s story and solicit money for the playground’s needs.
Other school-specific fundraising platforms, such as Vanco, can also be leveraged to help manage donations and track progress toward your overall goal.
Local Partnerships
Other resources to tap into for upgrading public school playground equipment are local businesses and nonprofits.
Businesses near a school have a vested interest in the safety and well-being of the students. After all, there’s a mutual benefit in supporting a school for the surrounding community to thrive.
By supporting a school, businesses are building positive relationships with the community and its residents, which can help with sales and business as a whole.
Start by examining key businesses and identifying which ones might be willing to contribute funding for your playground improvement project.
Grocery stores, hardware stores, independent children’s clothing shops, restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops are all good places to begin.
Many customers of these businesses are likely parents and students of the school, making them more inclined to support the public school to begin with.
In today’s economy, it may be more reasonable to ask for smaller donations from multiple retailers as opposed to a few larger donations.
Also, don’t disregard labor or equipment donations. These costs add up quickly, so a hardware store offering its contracting services may come in handy during the final phases of your project.
A bank willing to give a few gift cards can be used in buying necessary tools and other construction or landscaping needs to get the playground across the finish line.
Final Thoughts
A lackluster public school playground is no way to show up for your students, families, or overall community.
Through grants, community fundraisers, and local partnerships, there are ways to find the funds to make improvements.
Whether it’s buying new playground equipment, beautifying the surrounding area, or implementing accessibility standards, playground upgrades can make a significant difference in students’ lives.
