2023 Playground Equipment Funding & Grants Across The UK

We know that finding funding for outdoor play areas can be difficult. Fortunately, there are a number of playground grants and funding opportunities available to help primary schools, charities, non-profits, and other organisations in the UK secure the necessary funds for playground equipment.

With budget cuts and financial uncertainty, finding the source of funding to update or create a new playground can seem like an impossible task. But that doesn't mean you should go with a lower-quality playground, or worse yet, no playground at all.

There are a variety of grants and funding options available across the UK that can help bring your playground ideas to life, some of which we've outlined below.

For a more in-depth look at each funding provider and more options available, continue reading below. 

Our guide covers the essential information you need before you start applying for grants and funding and our list of the top 2023 playground equipment grants and funding opportunities.

3 Essential Factors to Consider Before Applying for Playground Funding

Before you apply for any playground grant or funding scheme, there are a number of different factors you'll need to consider, such as land ownership and team support, to improve your chances of securing the funding you need.

Having all the relevant and accurate information is crucial so you can present a comprehensive and convincing case to potential funders. Here are 3 key factors to keep in mind...

1. Do You Have a Land to Build On?

Many playground funding organisations won't fund projects that lie on rented land, so you'll need to ensure that you have access to a suitable plot of land.

Ask yourself;

• Who owns the land?

• Is this ownership likely to change in the near future?

• Do you need planning permission?

You'll need to research the planning regulations in your area and ensure you have all the relevant permissions before starting any work.

Determining whether the project you have in mind is suitable for the site you want to build on is also important. For example, some funding organisations may not support projects in flood-risk areas, or is the playground you have in mind feasible for the site?

2. Do You Have a Project Team?

It will greatly improve your chances of getting your project off and away if you have a team of people who are committed to working on the project.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What kind of support is there for your project in your local community?
• What type of 'organisations' will you create? (Some funders will only fund certain types of groups)
• Has your group been constituted?
• Does your group have a bank account, and how long has this been the case?
• What other fundraising have you done?

You'll also need to allocate roles and tasks to people within your project team and ensure that you have the necessary skills and experience. Some funding organisations may require you to have certain qualifications or expertise within your team.

Roles could consist of:

• Project leader
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Communications Coordinator
• Fundraising Coordinator

3. Have You Carefully Planned Out Your Proposed Project?

When applying for playground funding or grants, funders want to know the scope and scale of the playground project and the proposed monetary value of your outdoor play area. After all, why should they invest in your project if you haven't taken the time to plan it out properly?

Consider your answers to questions like,

• How much is your project going to cost?

• Can you raise any of your own funds?

• Many funding providers ask Groups to raise a certain percentage of funding themselves to demonstrate commitment to their project – do you have this money?

You'll need to ensure that your project is well-researched and carefully planned.

Consider the impact of your project and how it’ll benefit the local community, as well as any risks that you have identified. Showcasing the potential impact of your project can be a powerful tool when seeking funding.

Where You Can Get Playground Funding and Grants

While it might seem like grants and funding for playground equipment are hard to come by, there are actually a number of organisations that support play area projects in the UK.

From local councils to charities, foundations, and other organisations, there are plenty of potential sources of funding. But your eligibility for playground funding and grants will depend on who you are and what your project is.

Some funders work to provide support for schools, for example, whereas others focus more on community projects. It's important to research the different organisations and their criteria in more depth before applying for funding.

Statutory funding can be difficult to access; however, there are a number of grants available from charities, foundations and other organisations.

List of Playground Grants & Funding Options

From over 20 years in the play industry, we know just how important quality play equipment is for children. So, we've put together a list of some of the most accessible playground funding and grants for schools, community groups, not-for-profit organisations, charities and local authorities.

If you want additional information regarding funding or grants for play equipment in the UK, our team is always here to advise.

View Funding Sources PDF

Playground Funding for Schools

Playgrounds for schools are a fantastic way to help children and young people get active and have fun. You can promote education and socialisation while also creating a safe and enjoyable environment.

As such, many project funding organisations offer grants and funding to support the development of play areas in schools. Some include the following:

These organisations provide financial support for outdoor play areas and playgrounds across the UK. So, if you're looking to improve your school's playground, we recommend looking into these organisations supporting innovative projects for schools.

Funding availability depends on the project itself, so you must research the criteria to ensure your project is eligible. For example, the ASDA Foundation has grants available from £5,000 to £10,000, whereas Tesco Bags of Help grants range from £1,000 and £4,000.

Playground Funding for Community Groups

Funding to help develop playgrounds is also readily available for community organisations and community groups. In fact, there are a lot of organisations that provide grants and funding to help community groups.

Some of these are:

It is important that you look further into the specific requirements for each of these grants, as they all have different criteria. And many have deadlines as to which you can apply for your local project funding.

Playground Funding for Not-for-Profit Organisations

For not-for-profit organisations, there are numerous funding and grant opportunities available. It is recognised that it is difficult for not-for-profit organisations to access the funds they need, which is why many foundations and trusts are dedicated to helping with project funding.

Some of these organisations include:

Of course, you should always ensure that your project is eligible for the funds available and research thoroughly before applying.

Playground Funding for Charities

For registered charities in the UK, there are many sources of funding and grants to help you create amazing playgrounds. Some of the main grants programme providers include:

Most of these grant-awarding body groups will require you to be registered as a charity in order to be eligible for the funding, so make sure you have your charity number on hand when applying.

Playground Funding for Local Authorities

Many local areas find that their playgrounds are in need of improvement and updating, which is why local authorities can benefit from the grants available for playgrounds.

Access to outdoor activities and play areas can help the local residents lead healthier and more active lifestyles, which is why many organisations offer grants for this purpose.

Some of these include:

You can use these grants to improve existing playgrounds, create new playgrounds and even install exciting adventure play areas.

How to Apply for Play Equipment Grants in the UK

Obviously, the eligibility criteria for each grant programme vary greatly, so it's important to read the relevant documents and ensure that you meet all of the criteria.

You should refer back to the questions you should ask yourself before applying for a grant to ensure your project is eligible. After this, you can start the process of putting together an application form and collecting all the relevant documents.

To apply for playground funding, you should:

1. Satisfy the eligibility criteria for your chosen funding programme

2. Write a clear and concise proposal outlining your project

3. Gather all the relevant documentation that the funding provider requests

4. Submit your completed application form with all the necessary documents

Once you submit your application, you must wait for the outcome. You must maintain contact with the grant provider throughout the application process and ensure that you can answer any questions or provide additional documents if needed.

After this, you will find out if you have been successful in securing the funding for your playground project, and you can get started on the fun part - building your playground!

Building a Playground Within Your Budgets With Huck Play

At Huck Play, we understand that the money raised for playgrounds can be hard to come by, so we work with a range of budgets, allowing you to make the most of the funds available.

We're dedicated to helping schools, local communities, and organisations of any kind create the perfect play area for children. As the UK's leading rope-based playground supplier, we have a wide range of play equipment available, suitable for many different budgets and project types.

Take a Look at Our Top Playground Projects

Get in Touch With Us Today

If you’ve already secured funding and are looking for help with planning and finding playground equipment, get in touch with us today and a member of our Huck Play team will be able to assist you in your play area project.

We're also more than happy to talk you through your available funding options if you need it. With over 20 years of experience in the playground industry, we understand the importance of creating a safe and enjoyable outdoor play area for children. Let us help you bring your playground project to life!

Get in touch with us by:

Phone: 01308 425 100 

Email: hello@huckplay.co.uk 

Contact form: https://www.huckplay.co.uk/contact/ 

We look forward to hearing from you!

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