Funding
Funding solutions for playground projects should try to be as inventive as possible. Some of the most successful playground projects have used several sources of funding – from section 106 payments to council match-funding and community-led fundraisers.
This list is not exhaustive but will hopefully point you in the direction of the source of funding you are looking for. Click on the link in each tab to learn more.
ASDA Foundation
Charities, schools and community groups have the opportunity to apply for funding for local projects that require financial assistance to the ASDA Foundation. Grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 are available for good causes and community groups in your local area.
Aviva Community Fund
Aviva Community Fund offers support and project funding. Aviva have recently opened their funding for 2017. The scheme supports projects related to health and wellbeing, activities for children and young people and support for family life. If your project will have positive effects on your community have a look at the guidelines on the Aviva site.
Bank of Scotland Foundation
Small, medium and large grants are available. The Bank of Scotland supports people and local communities across Scotland. Local, regional and national charities passing the eligibility test for selected grants may apply. All three grant levels are open in four stages throughout the year.
BBC Children In need
Children in Need is the BBC’s UK corporate charity. They provide grants to projects which focus on children and young people who are disadvantaged. Grant programmes are open all year and are awarded three to four times a year.
Biff Award
Biff award is managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife trust. The programme supports as many projects across the UK as possible. It aims to enhance community spaces, cultural facilities and places for outdoor recreation. Eligible projects must benefit local people of all ages and must be no more that 10 miles away from either a Biffa site or any landfill site.
Big Lottery Fund
The Big Lottery Fund aims to bring improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need. Areas targeted include health, education, environment and charitable purposes. Organisations in the public, private and third party sectors can apply for funding.
Community Foundation
Community Foundations manage and allocate funds donated by individuals, statutory bodies and charitable trusts. Funds are targeted at projects that make a genuine difference to local communities. Only local community groups and voluntary organisations can apply.
Comic Relief Local
Small, medium and large grants are available for different groups with different aims. Comic Relief aim to provide funding for groups looking to create and support social change in local areas across the UK and other parts of the world. Local, regional and national charities and community groups may apply.
Disability Grants
A forum for finding out information for lots of disability grants.
Ernest Cook Trust
The Ernest Cook Trust aims to help children learn about their environment and the countryside. Non-Profit Groups, Schools, and Registered Charities can apply. Various grants are available, small grants up to £4,000 and larger grants of over £4,000.
FCC Communities Foundation
Local landfill companies are always worth checking as many contribute to funding programmes in return for claiming credit against their landfill tax liability. Once such scheme, formerly known as WREN and now FCC Communities Foundation operates in England and Scotland offering grants from £2,000 up to £100,000 in England and £40,000 in Scotland. You do need to be located within ten miles of an eligible facility in order to be eligible to apply.
Foundation Scotland
Foundation Scotland is an independent charity established in 1996 and has distributed over £50m across Scotland, providing funding for good causes, supporting innovation and community across Scotland. Companies, registered charities, individuals and community groups working in Scotland can apply, subject to guidelines.
Foyle Foundation
The Foyle Foundation is an independent grant making trust that funds UK charities whose core work is in the areas of arts and learning. The foundation prioritises applications that cater for those with special educational needs and learning difficulties. The foundation also aims to support projects that have a long term strategic impact. Registered UK charities are eligible to apply and organisations must meet strict criteria to prove their projects will provide a direct benefit or service to the public.
Grants4schools
A comprehensive funding information service available to the UK Education sector. Updated daily, Grants 4 Schools is a directory of all the grants available for your project from a variety of different sources. A subscription service, but with a free trial available.
Greggs Foundation
Greggs Foundation Local Community Projects Fund helps organisations based in local communities to deliver projects or provide equipment to people in need. The Greggs Foundation tend to favour smaller groups and organisations and those who are disadvantaged. The local community projects fund is open in three stages throughout the year.
Groundwork
Groundwork is a UK environmental regeneration charity. It supports communities in need, working with partners to help improve the quality of people’s lives, their prospects and the places where they live, work and play. Their aims are to build safer and stronger communities, promote health and wellbeing, provide young people with something to do and promote environmental sustainability.
Heritage Lottery Fund
Run by the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery fund supports a wide range of projects which aim to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities in the UK. Organisations in the public, private and third sectors can apply for lottery funding. Applications applicable to play and parks have two deadlines.
Landfill Communities Fund
This innovative tax credit scheme enables operators of landfill sites to contribute money to enrolled Environmental objects contained in the Landfill Tax Regulations. The Government viewed the LCF as a way for Landfill Operators and Environmental Bodies to work in partnership to create significant environmental benefits and jobs and to undertake projects which improve the lives of communities living near landfill sites.
Learning Through Landscapes
Learning Through Landscapes is the national school grounds charity. They 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.
London Marathon Charitable Trust
The London Marathon Charitable Trust primarily provides capital funding for building or facilities projects that inspire increased participation in physical activity, sport or play. The trustees make decisions four times throughout the year.
Morrisons Foundation
The Morrisons Foundation is funded by a number of revenue streams and is the chief recipient of the money generated through the sale of carrier bags in Morrisons stores in England. Their aims are to make a positive difference to people living in England, Scotland and Wales through community groups, charities and other bodies committed to creating a positive difference to people in their community.
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Formerly the Heritage Lottery Fund, they fund projects which connect people and communities to local, regional and national heritage across the country. This could include nature, natural and designed landscapes, historic environments and more. A large range of funding amounts and timeframes are available.
Peoples Health Trust
Active Communities is a funding programme for community groups and not-for-profit organisations, with an income of less than £350,000 a year or an average of £350,000 over two years.
People’s Postcode Trust
Funding for good causes in England, Scotland and Wales, including those that advance public participation in sport.
SITA Trust
Support community improvement projects through the Landfill Communities Fund. Enhancing Communities – provides funding for community leisure projects within a three mile radius of qualifying waste process sites owned by SITA UK. Funding is available in 100 core zones throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
Sport England
Sport England is committed to helping people and communities across the country create sporting habits for life. Various funding is available:
- Return to Play: Active Together: A £7.5 million fund, with up to £10,000 in match funding, as part of a support package to help clubs and organisations set up and run crowdfunding campaigns related to Covid-19, such as for a loss of income due to the pandemic.
- Inspired Facilities: is a £110 million programme that funds the renovation and modernisation of local sports facilities.
- Small Grants: uses Lottery funding to make awards of between £300 and £10,000 to not-for-profit organisations to help more people play sport.
Steve Morgan Foundation
The Steve Morgan Foundation is committed to making a transformative impact across our region. Each year, we will award 8 to 10 regional grants, creating a unique opportunity for exceptional organisations to lead long-term, systemic change.
Grants of £250,000 – £500,000 over three years are available for eligible not-for-profit organisations tackling the root causes of social disadvantage affecting children, young people, and their families.
The Trust House
A medium-sized grant making foundation giving grants to small, well-established organisations in the UK who address local issues in areas of extreme urban deprivation, or in remote and fragile rural communities.
Veolia Environmental Trust
Funds community projects across the UK, including restoring green spaces, improving community halls and creating new play areas and skate parks. Projects must be within proximity to a site owned by Veolia Trust.
Wooden Spoon
Wooden Spoon is a charitable grant-giving organisation that funds projects across the UK and Ireland to support disadvantaged and disabled children.