We’ve worked with enough School Business Managers across the UK to know that the number one worry is how to fund - and get best value from - a playground development project. We all want the same thing… a wonderful, engaging, fun and educational outdoor space that can help to meet curriculum needs as well as providing lots of opportunities for children to enjoy themselves and, when necessary, blow off steam!
Here at Playforce we offer tailored, one-to-one funding advice for schools looking to develop their outdoor space. To talk to us about this you can contact us here.
Planning your funding application
THINK: Does it apply to you? Do you stand out from others applying?
TALK: Explain what do you plan to do in plain, clear and complete English
TIME: Take it steady, read the question and the small print and don’t be afraid to ask
For more information about what should go into your bid, as well as tips for how best to set it out, contact our funding specialists today.
Some suggestions for where to find funding
We have an enormous list of possible sources of funding, as well as lots of ideas for fundraising you can undertake at your school. Our Playforce events and days page is packed with ideas and prompts for fundraising activities. Here you’ll find details of grants and funding streams currently available and inspiration for events that could be run by your PTA or pupils. We’ve also collected together our top tips for organising fundraising at your school. There are loads more guides and videos on fundraising and funding on our dedicated fundraising page here.
In the meantime, however, here are a handful places to consider for funding for a project this year:
1. Sport and PE Premium
It’s been around since 2013 but the Sport & PE Premium is still one of the best ways to fund you playground development. The second instalment will be arriving with you on 1st May, just in time to enjoy a summer playground, if you play your cards right! You can read more about this in a series of blogs we posted:
https://www.playforce.co.uk/about-us/news/what-is-the-sports--pe-premium
https://www.playforce.co.uk/about-us/news/what-can-we-spend-our-sports--pe-premium-on
https://www.playforce.co.uk/about-us/news/sports--pe-premium-measuring-action-and-success
2. Asda Foundation - From £5,000 to £10,000
Aiming to transform communities, improve lives now and in the future. A charitable corporate foundation, who give independent grants and support locally to relevant projects throughout the UK.
3. Blue Spark Foundation - Up to £5,000
Provides funding for projects which aim to improve the education and development of children and young people aged 5-22, by means of educational, cultural, sporting or other activities. Consideration will be given to projects which will help enhance the self-con dence, team working skills and future employability of children and young people.
4. British & Foreign School Society - From £5,000 to £60,000 (for a period of up to 3 years)
British & Foreign School Society provides grants to charities for educational activities. They support charitable organisations that work to improve access to education or the quality of education for children and young people in remote or impoverished areas both in the UK and internationally. They have three rounds of funding each year.
5. Children in Need - Up to £10,000 (for smaller grants), over £10,000 (for larger grants)
Supporting organisations that understand the needs of disadvantaged children and young people, involved in projects that: take the initiative and show clearly how they will make a difference in children and young people’s lives; address the challenges that children and young people face; build their skills and resilience; empower them and extend their choices in life; involve them in the design, delivery and evaluation of their work; and are keen to keep learning about their work so that their ability to make a difference in children and young people’s lives can keep improving.
6. Ernest Cook Trust - Up to £4,000 (for smaller grants), up to £12,000 (for larger grants)
Funding is available to organisations wishing to encourage young people’s interest in the countryside and the environment, inspiring young people to achieve better educational and life outcomes by learning from the land.
7. Learning Through Landscapes - various
LTL believe school grounds play a vital role in every child’s learning and development. The charity aims to help schools and early years settings make the most of their outdoor spaces for play and learning.
8. Sport England - Up to £10,000
They want everyone in England to feel able to engage in sport and physical activity regardless of age or level of ability. Their small grants programme focuses on adults and young people aged 14 or over within eligible organisations, that aim to get more people engaged in sport, and meet one or more of the following: to get inactive people to become more active; develop more resilient sporting habits; lead to more positive attitudes amongst young people; develop more diverse volunteers; and improve progression and inclusion in developing talents.
9. Lord Taverners - various
Providing grants to SEN schools to give them access to a wider range of outdoor play equipment.
10. Tesco Bags of Help
The money raised from the 5p bag charge in Tesco stores, is being used to pay for many local projects to improve green spaces in communities.
For more information about the very many other sources of funding we’re aware of, contact our funding specialists today.