…to help bring community outdoor spaces to life!
Let's be honest — grant writing isn't simple. However, after more than a century of helping communities bring play to life, we've learned something important: Many grants genuinely want to fund projects like yours. These organizations set aside dollars for community projects, including creating outdoor spaces where kids play, neighbors connect and communities grow stronger.
The beauty of outdoor play is that it belongs to everyone — it sparks imagination, builds resilience and brings people together in ways nothing else can. With the right grant, your community and your local Burke representative can team up to turn possibility into reality. We've rounded up four grants worth exploring for playground funding, each with its own focus and personality.
Why Apply for Playground Grants?
- Attainability: Grants make playgrounds attainable for communities that might otherwise lack the resources.
- Community Investment: Playgrounds demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of children and families.
- Enhanced Development: Playgrounds foster physical, social and emotional development.
- Increased Property Values: Playgrounds can increase the value of surrounding properties.
- Community Hub: Playgrounds create a space for neighbors to connect and build relationships.
Keep these benefits in mind as you explore these four opportunities:
Why it's perfect for playgrounds: Small towns and rural communities, this one's for you. If your population is under 50,000, T-Mobile gets that major funders often overlook you. They're looking for projects that build community pride and create gathering spaces — and nothing does that quite like a playground. With grants up to $50,000, this can fund significant playground equipment. They fund quarterly, so timing matters.
Pro tip: Paint the picture of your town. Include photos of your current space, letters from local kids and explanations of how this playground will become your town's heartbeat. They're tech-savvy and appreciate creativity — consider including a short video from local families sharing what a playground would mean to them.
Why it's perfect for playgrounds: This is the heavyweight champion of playground grants. The LWCF serves a broad range of communities through state-administered funding for public outdoor recreation. Eligible applicants typically include towns, villages, cities, counties, tribal governments, school districts and other state political subdivisions. If your neighborhood lacks park access, this could transform everything. We're talking $250,000 to $750,000 — enough for entire playground projects. Yes, there's more paperwork, but don't let that scare you off.
Pro tip: Your first step is contacting your state's LWCF agency (typically your state parks or natural resources department) for current guidelines and priorities. Next, do some local research. Many cities have grant writers, so definitely check if yours does. But also tap into your community's hidden talents: the neighbor with grant experience from their nonprofit work, the high school English teacher who loves a good cause, local artists who can bring your vision to life and community activists who know where to find the data you need. Building your grant team from community volunteers strengthens your application and proves the very community investment funders want to see. For the application, be specific with data: "This playground will provide the only free outdoor recreation within a 2-mile radius, serving 25,000 residents who currently have zero access to play equipment." Include demographic data, health statistics and heat maps showing park deserts. Once you're in the LWCF system, you become eligible for additional federal recreation grants.
Why it's perfect for playgrounds: The Dell Foundation thinks like innovators — they want transformative projects that create lasting change for children in poverty. They're particularly interested in projects that combine play with learning. Think STEM-focused playground elements, outdoor classrooms integrated with playspaces or family engagement centers. Grant amounts vary widely based on scope and impact.
Pro tip: Frame your playground as more than recreation. It's a health intervention, an outdoor classroom, a family engagement center. Include data about childhood obesity rates in your area and academic performance gaps. Show how active play addresses both. They love innovation, so highlight unique design elements that promote learning through play. Bonus: They often provide multiyear funding for projects showing measurable impact.
Why it's perfect for playgrounds: If you're near a Union Pacific rail line, you're already halfway there. They're not just moving freight — they're invested in moving communities forward. What makes them different? They specifically love projects that enhance community safety (playgrounds create supervised spaces), support youth development (physical and social growth!) and strengthen neighborhoods. Typical grants range from $5,000 to $25,000 — perfect for matching funds or adding that special feature that makes your playground extraordinary.
Pro tip: Don't just say, "We need a playground." Connect it to their mission. Try: "This playground will enrich our entire community because [fill in your own blank]." They also love partnering with other funders, so mention any pending grants — it shows momentum, not desperation.
Your Next Steps
Each of these grants has funded numerous playground projects. They're not lottery tickets — they're organizations with missions that align with creating playspaces. The key is matching your community's story to their priorities.
This week: Pick two grants from this list that fit your community. Visit their websites. Read about past recipients.
This month: Start gathering your community's story. Take photos. Collect testimonials. Document the need.
This quarter: Submit your first application, even if it's not perfect. Because here's the truth: Most successful playground project managers/leaders apply to multiple grants before hitting gold. Each application makes you stronger. Each rejection teaches you something valuable.
The path from "We need a playground" to a ribbon-cutting ceremony isn't always straight, but it's absolutely within reach. These grants exist because organizations believe in the power of play to transform communities.
You've got the passion. Now you've got a roadmap.
Time to bring Play That Moves You® to your community.
Want help designing a grant-worthy playground? Our team specializes in creating spaces that funders love to support. Visit our funding resources page for our grant resource tool, or connect with your local Burke representative to start planning.