Playground Equipment Grants and Funding
Are you looking for playground equipment grants?
We understand that securing a budget for new play areas can be a challenge — that’s why we are proud to have partnered with FundEd, a leading expert in grants and funding support for schools.
Through our partnership with FundEd, we can help guide you towards the best funding options available to find you playground equipment
grants. Whether you’re planning a full playground redevelopment, adding exciting new play structures, or upgrading your existing equipment, there are a wide range of grants and funding opportunities that could support your project.
How we can help:
Expert advice on the most suitable playground equipment grants
Access to comprehensive lists of available playground equipment funding opportunities
Guidance on preparing successful funding applications
Practical tips to maximise your chances of securing grants
We believe that every child deserves a safe, stimulating, and inclusive outdoor play space — and funding should not be a barrier to achieving this. With the right support, your vision for a vibrant new playground can become a reality.
If you would like to find out more about how we and FundEd can assist you, or if you would like to discuss your project, please get in touch with us today. Let’s work together to create an inspiring play environment for your pupils!
Contact us for more information on the latest local grants.
Playground Fundraising
Playground equipment is often one of the top priorities for PTAs, parents, and school leadership teams. But how do you actually go about raising the money? Here’s a practical guide to help you explore the best strategies and start turning your plans into reality.
Fundraising Avenues to Explore
Every school is unique, so it’s worth surveying your community to find out which types of fundraising would be most popular and what skills or contacts people can offer. Here are some of the most common – and effective – ways to fundraise for outdoor play projects:
Grant Funding
Grant Funding
Potential: £500 – £10,000+
There are numerous grants available for schools developing outdoor learning or play spaces. Some are specifically focused on education or outdoor enrichment (e.g. Ernest Cook Trust), while others are broader in scope, such as the National Lottery’s Awards for All programme.
Writing a compelling grant application takes time. You’ll need to prepare detailed budgets, gather quotes, seek letters of support, and demonstrate community need and impact. Plan ahead and don’t leave it to the last minute.
FundEd is a valuable resource, offering a grants database and expert guidance on bid writing — ideal for schools looking to strengthen their application success rate.
Potential: £2,000 – £8,000
Crowdfunding allows you to tell your story, showcase your vision, and invite a broad audience to contribute small amounts online. It’s a great way to involve the whole community — from parents and extended family to local businesses and former pupils.
You can also seek sponsorship from local companies. Many have community support or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budgets, especially businesses like estate agents, which benefit from strong local schools. After-school clubs and other organisations using your premises might also be willing to support a shared space improvement.
Fundraising Events
Low-Effort Fundraising Ideas
Potential: £150 – £3,000
Events are a fantastic way to bring people together and raise funds at the same time. Make it clear that proceeds are going towards your playground project, and consider hosting events that tie in with the theme of outdoor play.
Some ideas include:
Summer fairs and outdoor festivals
Campover nights or open-air film screenings
Pet shows, car boot sales or nature trails
Sponsored activities like fun runs, bounce-a-thons, or fitness challenges (don’t forget to claim Gift Aid!)
Potential: £50 – £1,500
Small activities can quickly add up — and they’re perfect for involving a wide range of supporters.
Small, simple activities can build momentum and quickly contribute to your fundraising total — without requiring a huge amount of time or resources.
One popular option is a “Loose Change Challenge”. Each class gets a jar or container, and over a set period (a week or month), pupils are encouraged to bring in spare coins from home. It creates a fun, friendly competition between classes to see who can collect the most. You can even offer a small prize for the winning class, like an extra playtime or non-uniform day.
