<p>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.</p>
<p>Safety aside, an outdated playground isn’t the best reflection on the school itself.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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>While upgrading a playground isn’t exactly easy, it is well worth the time, energy, and money that goes into it.</p>
<p>Keep reading to learn some funding strategies to get started on the playground improvement project.</p>
<h2>Grants</h2>
<p>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.</p>
<p>This includes optimizing or upgrading <a href="https://www.aaastateofplay.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">commercial playground equipment</a>. A quick Google search will lead you to numerous places to apply for grants.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a href="https://newsforpublic.com/beautiful-places-see-united-states/">United States</a>.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>There is a higher likelihood of winning these just based on your geographic location.</p>
<p>Big box retailers within your school’s neighborhood may also have funding set aside for businesses.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h2>Community Fundraising</h2>
<p>In addition to grants, another way to garner support for upgrading a public school’s playground is with community fundraising.</p>
<p>These efforts foster a sense of ownership amongst parents, caregivers, students, teachers, and faculty while also enhancing the school’s overall playground space.</p>
<p>Fundraising brings everyone together for a common good while also creating positive change for the public school.</p>
<p>There are plenty of creative fundraising options, ranging from bake sales to car washes to talent shows.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>While these events may require a bit more planning, the return can be even greater.</p>
<p>In today’s social media-savvy, digital-leaning world, online and <a href="https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/crowdfunding-sites-for-nonprofits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crowd-based platforms</a> 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.</p>
<p>Sites like GoFundMe and Kickstarter can be used to share your school’s story and solicit money for the playground’s needs.</p>
<p>Other school-specific fundraising platforms, such as Vanco, can also be leveraged to help manage donations and track progress toward your overall goal.</p>
<h2>Local Partnerships</h2>
<p>Other resources to tap into for upgrading public school playground equipment are local businesses and nonprofits.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Start by examining key businesses and identifying which ones might be willing to contribute funding for your playground improvement project.</p>
<p>Grocery stores, hardware stores, independent children’s clothing shops, restaurants, cafes, and <a href="https://newsforpublic.com/roast-coffee-at-home-in-oven/">coffee</a> shops are all good places to begin.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>In today’s economy, it may be more reasonable to ask for smaller donations from multiple retailers as opposed to a few larger donations.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
<p>A lackluster public school playground is no way to show up for your students, families, or overall community.</p>
<p>Through grants, community fundraisers, and local partnerships, there are ways to find the funds to make improvements.</p>
<p>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.</p>

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