Go to Mount Greenwood Playlot Initiative . We raised over $900,000.00 for our playground.

I contacted our local Congressman and he gave me a list of Foundations that specifically fund playgrounds. I also went to my local Represenative and got a grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development. Try your larger corportations also, many give grants to schools for playground equipment. Best Wishes, Eileen

What is a reading maze or creation station/

Two other grant programs you might want to look into...

Hamburger Helper is offering grants up to $15,000. Check their website My Hometown Helper

The American Academy of Dermatology provides grants for shade structures to go over your play structure. Move quick though, because there is a deadline coming up on March 5. The website for further details is Shade Structure Grants

Hi kmamom,

Our school is in central NJ and we are currently fundraising for a new playground. I would like to get more details from you on how you received the 40K for your playground through the open space program.

Thanks,
Judy

A few ideas - 1. give people/businesses a chance to donate and be recognized for their donation. Gift bricks help to bring in some of the cash.
2. Talk with the purchasing director in your school district. They will ulitmately be buying the play system and responsible for it - so see if they will take on the costs associated with installation and site prep.
3. Talk to your city Parks department. We put in our system and were prepared to pay for it on our own when we met with the Park & Rec department. They came in for 1/2 the cost of the structure as in most situations our schools are neighboring a park or utilized by the parks department for summer activities.
4. The Home Depot grant agency is KaBOOM! Home they help to fund some ideas. They are centered down south - so they may be more convient to get to for you.
5. Have another purpose to your structure besides riding the slides. Rock walls, reading mazes, creation centers become appealing to other outside agencies such as the Optomist, Kiwanis, Rotary etc.

Have a fun time and enjoy the ride.