To gather the funds needed to build the playground of your dreams, start with local, like-minded organizations. Kiwanis or Lions Clubs, the YMCA, business owners, and school districts have all been known to contribute to the cost of a commercial playground built for their community. Alternatively, there is funding available in the form of government, national, corporate, and regional grants.
Who donated to the most recent recreational project in your area? There is a good chance they may be willing to make a contribution to your new playground. You could also start searching for names of local business owners. Additionally, some charities offer access to their databases containing charitable donors. If you decide to go for a government grant, www.grants.gov has compiled many resources to help you with the process. And your local city hall’s website should contain funding information as well.
Research the types of grants and funding recommended above. Consider how you would like to proceed, come up with a plan, and follow through on it. Apply for every grant you are eligible for to maximize the amount of funding you may receive. Learn about key influencers in your community and reach out to local organizations. They are great resources that offer tons of knowledge, resources, and connections that can help make the process smoother.
