Playground Funding Guide

Affordable Attainable AchievableSimple tips that help make your fundraisers We believe that interesting and exciting Our goal is to provide organizations andbecome the most optimal and profitable. playgrounds encourage the imaginations and schools with essential knowledge and creativity within our children. This aids in the approaches to funding a stimulating playThe basic elements of grant writing broken development of a child’s physical anddown into steps that anyone can follow creative potential. We would like scape. As the great philosopher, Plato,successfully. to make this opportunity once said, “Life should be lived available to every child. as play.” With the rightKey components to keep in mind when Playgrounds Etc has guidance, you can fundoperating within a smaller budget to achieve developed this informational your playground now andthe most bang for your buck. brochure on the various ways in improve cognitive, social, which you can be a part of childhood magicOur latest equipment and the developmental and still balance the budget. Included in this and physical growth within yourneeds they meet for children. pamphlet are great tips and advice on writing children. We hope these ideas help you bring grants and utilizing fundraisers. your playground ideas to life, and provide an exhilarating environment for children to play and learn, because they deserve it! Constructing Character through Play 866-461-2814 PlaygroundsEtc.com

Have It in Writing Sell It When raising funds for playground equipment, or any The trick to fundraising is making it a reachable goal project for that matter, there are a few major tips you and getting everyone involved excited about it. One can follow that will help insure a prosperous and way to do this is to constantly discuss it with the successful result. children. The more they talk about their new playground, the more parents hear about it, and the Count solely on the parents Having a rough sketch or schematic of the playground more attention/contribution is drawn to your cause and will aid tremendously in your efforts to raise money. It goal. People love to leave their mark. Create a Exhaust one fundraiser is a great marketing tool that can be displayed to community walkway at your school/organization, sponsors, parents, and children alike. This visual will which will be paved with bricks engraved with names. Be afraid to ask for donations serve as a physical reminder of your goal to all parties Sell these bricks and announce that the proceeds pay involved, and will seem more tangible than not having for the new swings! Again, the idea is to break the Stifle enthusiasm...this is one at all. components up for optimal success. The playground should be on the forefront of everyone’s mind. supposed to be a fun-filled Break It Down project Relying solely on the parents is a fundraising don’t. Another great marketing device is to make a list of the There are plenty of businesses, both big and small, Set your goal too high to major and semi-major components of the desired that are willing to sponsor/donate to your playground. playground; monkey bars, slides, rock walls, decks, You just have to use the right approach. For example, achieve roofs, you get the idea. Get the individual pricing for take the schematic to local businesses and ask each each component and then break your fundraising organization if they would like to “adopt” a part of the Be vague about what the efforts up into one component at a time. Sometimes playground. Make sure they will be recognized for the simplest fundraisers have the most success. A their contribution. Having the children color thank you proceeds are going towards penny/coin drive is a great fundraiser. You can have notes is always a good idea; as they love to post that a gimmick, such as filling the bed of a truck up with sort of thing in a business where customers can see it. Forget to thank each and coins to secure funds for the slide! This makes fundraising more rewarding and seem more fruitful, A great way to integrate more people to your fundraise every individual/organization since it is a celebration when each component is is to post it on your organization’s website and/or involved earned. Raffles are simple and effective as well. Ask social media websites (if available). This allows a local company to donate a laptop, for example. people you typically might not encounter to read aboutThis playground was funded by the efforts Then raffle the tickets at any/all major functions. The the new playground and become involved in the of Eagle Scout, Christopher Dyrssen, of money made is pure profit and before you know it, the fundraising team effort. Take it a step further by Midland, Texas. He raised $12,000 in 3 monkey bars are paid for! Utilize a visual by adding a contracting the local paper or even news channels, a weeks from local business owners and picture of each afforded component to the big picture, little press goes a long way. The more coverage, the homeowners. which can be kept in the cafeteria, foyer, or anywhere better. Any way you can advertise, do it. that’s very public and broadcasted. Each secured component is an accomplishment and should be Fundraising is a challenge, but with these tips/ideas recognized to keep progress and optimism up. your new playground can be just around the corner!

Types of Grants Grant ApplicationsGrants take on an unlimited number of variations, Just as the type of grant offered varies from  www.tea.state.tx.ustypes, and mutations. Some grants are one-time grant-maker to grant-maker, so does the applicationgrants, others are multi-year. Some grant-makers fund process. Some foundations allow you to simply submit (Texas Education Association Grant List)capital projects, others fund growth initiatives, while an application, which may range from 1 page to 10still others only fund general operating expenses. pages or more. Other foundations may ask that youSome grants are given on an ongoing basis, meaning submit a “letter of intent” (LOI) or query letter thatthat you can apply at anytime during the year and summarizes your request, and then, once that letter isdecisions are made several times per year, while submitted, you may or may not be invited to submit aothers only decide on proposals once per year, or even complete grant application. Other foundations mayonce every two or three years. even require a site visit as part of the process. Follow the Program  www.getedfunding.com No matter the type of grant or process for application, be sure to follow the directions of the (Funding Info for Educational grant-maker exactly. We often tell charities that writing grants is like applying for the Resources) Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. There are lots of hoops to jump through…lots of  www.cpb.org/grants things to place here, attachments, schedules, financials, signature pages, checklists, etc.Follow directions to the letter, if you want to have the best chance of having your grant funded. (Tips & Other Resources)Researching Grants Writing Grants  www.rwjf.org/en/how-we- work/grants-explorer/faqs (Childhood Obesity Grant Program)Perhaps the most important step in raising money Once you’ve found a program you think you qualify  www.gih.orgthrough grants comes before the grant proposal/ for, it’s time to write the grant proposal. The truth isapplication is even written. Before you apply for a that there is no secret formula to writing successful (Educational Resource for Grantsgrant, do some research, and be sure that you meet grants. Just follow the directions of the foundation Targeting Healthy Living)the foundation’s criteria. offering the grant, and make sure you include all of the information they request.  www.philanthropy.com/Grant-makers have lots of different areas of grantsspecialization, and a single grant maker may offer Some other tips that will help you succeed are to be (Non-Profit: News, Jobs, and Ideas)three, five, or a dozen different grant programs. Be sure you write in good, crisp, readable language. Tosure that your charity and project meet the objectives make sure you present your proposal in a business-  www.tpwd.state.tx.us/of the foundation, or else all of your hard work will be like fashion, and to use emotion...because foundation business/grantsfor naught. Most foundations list their criteria on their executives receive lots of proposals. So to make surewebsites. Do some research to find out what the yours stands out, you’ll need to tug on the heart (TX Parks & Wildlife Grant Opportunities)foundation’s area of interest is, what programs they strings a little bit (but not too much). If they want tooffer, when their deadlines are, and what their average cure “Child Obesity” make your grant proposal fit that This playground in Tuscola, TX (Pop. 714)grant size is. There’s no point applying for a grant criteria by focusing on the ways in which your new was funded by the Texas Parks & Wildlifefrom an organization specializing in funding dog playground will help fight obesity. Finally, if you have Grant, which allowed them to erect a pavilion,shelters in southeaster Kentucky, if you are running a questions, go ahead and pick up the phone and callhigh school arts program in Maine. Likewise, if you’re the foundation to ask. They won’t bite, and often, walking track, ball park bleachers, andlooking for $50,000 to build a new playground, it will calling will help you get a leg up by letting you tailor playground.take lots of time and efforts to raise that money, if you your proposal to the objectives of the foundationare applying to foundations with an average grant size exactly, instead of what you think the objectives are.of $1,000! Narrow the list of available grants down to There are thousands of grants available, make yourones that correlate specifically with your needs. needs fit their needs and the deal is practically sealed.

Music is Fun To learn more, visit us online at www.PlaygroundsEtc.com or call 1-866-461-2814All children enjoy exploring thesounds of music. Musical playencourages children to both hearand make music, while promotinglistening, language, math andscience skills. Our outdoorinstruments have found homes incommunity gardens, schools,playgrounds, private yards, urbancenters, hospitals, museums, rivertrails and now music parks. Ease ofplay and the interactive nature ofthese instruments are at the heart oftheir versatility. Musical knowledgeor skill isn’t necessary in order tocreate beautiful sounds. Theinstruments are orchestrated to beforever pleasing to the ear; for boththe players and those listeningnearby. 1410 W. Texas Ave Midland, TX 79701 Toll Free: (866) 461-2814 Local: (432) 687– 6388www.PlaygroundsEtc.com