The neighborhood playground is a fundamental place for young people. It’s a teen hangout spot and a secret hideout for kids that makes dreams feel real and life less scary. When you’re meeting up with your classmates or need a quiet place to think, having access to a playground can make all the difference. Yet most of us don’t know how much work goes into building one.
Playground equipment can be expensive, especially when it’s designed for safe, inclusive play. Chances are you’ll need to do some fundraising to get your playground project off the ground.
Like any fundraising project, a playground fundraiser must attract enough people to donate to your cause. The goal is to help people understand why you need a playground and the difference it would make for the children.
Before you can start campaigning, you’ll need to do some planning. Use our playground fundraiser checklist to make the process easier.
🗹 Form a fundraising team and give each member a to-do list.
🗹 Evaluate how much it will cost you to build the playground.
🗹 Decide on the core message you want to share with donors.
🗹 Set a fundraising target based on the costs.
🗹 Research contractors and suppliers.
🗹 Create a rough project timeline.
The playground fundraising ideas you develop during the planning phase will guide how the rest of your campaign plays out. Remember to track your progress and document everything—this can help you gain more support further down the line.
The most relevant tip for playground fundraising is to get the community involved. Remember who you are building the playground for – these are the families who will be using it, and their opinions matter. Having supportive residents increases the odds of getting the necessary donations and council approvals.
Always try to involve the community members in decision-making where possible. This will create a sense of ownership and pride in the playground project. When a community helps to build something through volunteering or donations, they are more likely to care for it once construction is complete.
Government organizations may be able to help you raise money for your playground. To secure a grant, contact your local Parks and Recreation office to enquire about funding options. Remember to enquire at the city, county, and state level. Alternatively, you can look for private grants offered by corporations and non-profits, such as:
Download our free grant guide to access a comprehensive list of playground grants available in North America. Each grant has unique requirements, so check your eligibility before applying.
You don’t need a grant to build a magnificent playground. Crowdsourcing is just as viable and also gets the community involved. Find creative fundraising ideas for playground equipment below.
A family-friendly playground fundraiser is fun for kids and parents. Working with volunteers ensures the money you make from ticket sales will more than cover your expenses. You can also get businesses and parents to donate food and decorations.
Selling items can also help you raise money for your playground. For best results, sell products that are cheap or even free to make. There’s plenty of room to be creative—bonus points for shopping events that promote your cause and stay on theme.
Ask business owners to share their fundraising ideas for playground equipment and building materials. These are the folks who know how to attract investors. A sponsorship deal is a relatively low effort for you—all you’ll have to do is give the business credit where due.
Every successful playground fundraiser finishes with a warm and heartfelt thank you. The importance of thanking your donors cannot be overstated. Showing appreciation can help you build a long-term relationship that may lead to further sponsorship and support.
Once the playground project is complete write personalized thank-you notes to everyone who helped you. Even if you can’t afford thank-you gifts, you can show appreciation on social media, by building sponsors’ names into your playground and through exclusive progress updates, playground tours, and ribbon-cutting rights.
Having more than one source of funds for your playground project can help you raise money faster and avoid disappointments should a sponsor withdraw. On top of its inclusive playground equipment, Playworld offers various playground financing options to help schools and communities build safe spaces for children without overshooting your budget.
With Playworld, you can lease playground equipment to pay it off at your own pace. We can also help you build your project in phases to make it more affordable or access funding and grants. Explore our Playground Funding Resource Center for more playground fundraising ideas or contact us directly for personalized advice.