How To Fund A New Playground – Ideas for Schools and Community Groups
At a glance:
- A new playground is an extremely worthwhile investment that will deliver benefits to the community for years to come. It’s also a big-ticket item in terms of cost – so how do you source the funds to make your project a reality?
- Grants rarely cover 100% of a project — most successful builds combine two or three funding sources together.
- Fundraising, sponsorship, corporate and philanthropic giving, and equipment leasing can be ways to fill the gap grants leave behind.
- A staged installation plan makes any of these funding sources go further, and often makes a grant application easier to write as well.
With all the recent discussion about the importance of getting children outside to play, many schools and community groups are investigating ways to make their outdoor spaces more engaging. There’s no doubt a new playground or outdoor space is an extremely worthwhile investment that will deliver benefits to the community for years to come. But, it’s also a big-ticket item in terms of cost.
Don’t be intimidated or put off by lack of funding though – because there’s more out there than most people realise. And in our experience, some of the smallest community groups have been the most effective at coming together to achieve a big goal. With a little creativity, and a bit of persistence and motivation, an exciting new playground could be closer than you think!
Let’s look at where the rest of the funding can come from for school and community group playground projects in Victoria.
Grants hubs as a resource beyond grants
Grants can be part of the answer when you’re searching for ways to fund your new playground or playground upgrade – and we cover Victorian grant options in detail here. Unfortunately, they rarely cover the whole cost of the project, with most ending up being funded from two or three different sources.
We mentioned grants hub websites in our companion guide, but there’s one that’s worth mentioning here. The Funding Centre offers a wealth of helpful information in the form of free “Help Sheets”, covering everything from fundraising, donations, crowdfunding, memberships, events, sales/earned income and partnerships/sponsorship. Check out the Tools and Resources section on their website.
Fundraising and community contributions
This tried-and-true method is still one of the most reliable ways schools and community groups close a funding gap. Fundraising is also an opportunity to engage your whole community in this significant project, and unite everyone around a shared goal.
P&C, parent-group or committee fundraising.
Fetes, trivia nights, art shows or a fundraising gala. It takes time, but fundraising is flexible and always available to you. Importantly, fundraising is a great way to bring everyone on board with the project; giving students, families and the broader community an opportunity to get involved, feel ownership and work together toward something significant.
Crowdfunding (e.g. GoFundMe)
By engaging your community networks and leveraging existing social media following, crowdfunding your project can be an effective way to bring in funds. An organised crowdfunding campaign is a brilliant opportunity to extend your reach beyond those in your immediate sphere, and draw from a wider group of potential donors than traditional fundraising allows.
A crowdfunding campaign works best paired with a clear plan and concept design so donors can see exactly what they’re funding. You also need a specific dollar value to work towards – so start with a chat to one of our team.
If you’re stuck for fundraising ideas or need some help, have a look at the resources available through The Funding Centre.
Councils, capital works and your local MP
Want to know how to get your share of parks, recreation or capital works funding that may already be planned for your area? These programs are often quite separate to grants proper, existing as part of planned upgrades, open space projects or the establishment of new residential estates. And, the money is already earmarked for spending – so how do you get in on the action?
Start by leveraging existing relationships and networks or reaching out to those with influence in your community. Get in touch with your local council and member of parliament – they’re often very keen to help where they can, especially if you present them with a clear idea of who your project will help and why it’s needed for your community.
Corporate and philanthropic giving
Many banks, insurers and businesses run community grant programs – CommBank and Bendigo Bank’s Community Bank branches are well-known examples. It’s also worth investigating philanthropic funds or making contact with service clubs like Rotary and Lions. These sit outside government grant cycles entirely, and can be worth pursuing in parallel to government grants.
Google what’s available in your area, talk to people in the know in your community and check the grants hub sites for options you may qualify for.
Sponsorship
Depending on your operating restrictions and policies, local business sponsorship or contributions could help you on your way – in exchange for maybe a bit of signage or naming recognition on equipment. This works well for community groups and larger school projects and doesn’t depend on a funding round or eligibility criteria. Take advantage of relationships that you and your community already have, and deliver them a clear ask.
Equipment Leasing
It’s a less common option, but financing playground equipment through a lease could be part of your answer. It means your school or group can install now and spread repayments over time, rather than waiting to save or fundraise the full amount upfront. Worth a conversation with your finance team or treasurer if a project is urgent and other funding is still a way off.
Staged Installation
This is a Safe Play specialty. A staged plan delivers core play value now, with clearly planned room to expand in a future budget cycle, rather than waiting years to fund the whole vision at once. It also makes a grant application easier to write, since a smaller Stage 1 scope often fits comfortably inside a program’s funding cap even when the full vision wouldn’t.
Our modular systems are built for just this purpose – start with a smaller, core structure at the centre – like a mega cube – and build from there. Our Endurance Range has standardised post spacing and deck sizes which means units can be added to or updated progressively as your needs and budget change – expanding an existing playground or building a very large unit in stages.
How Safe Play helps you
It pays to engage the professionals early – our team are always available for a free consultation, that will help you with initial space planning, cost estimates, and ideas on how to approach every aspect of your playground project to get the best value for your fundraising dollars.
We’ve been supplying and installing amazing playgrounds across Victoria for over 30 years. You can count on our experience and industry knowledge for:
- Assistance with grant applications, proposals and required documentation. Spec sheets, concept drawings and fully costed quotations.
- Quality equipment that will stand the test of time. When you’re working hard to raise funds for a new playspace, it’s important you can trust you’re getting value for money and your equipment is built to last.
- Clear, fixed price quotes. No hidden costs that will come up later, everything laid out up front so you know what you’re aiming for and can budget and fundraise accordingly.
- Certification and compliance. All our playgrounds are AS 4685 and AS 4422 certified, with full documentation, including warranties and maintenance guides supplied at handover.
- Staged implementation options. We can scope a project in stages from the outset, so your budget, grant application and fundraising target all line up, and you can make your playground a reality sooner.
Talk to our experienced team about your project.
FAQs about Funding Your Playground
Can I combine a grant with fundraising or sponsorship?
Yes, definitely. Government grants rarely cover the whole cost of the project, with most ending up being funded from two or three different sources. Pairing a grant with fundraising, sponsorship or corporate giving is standard practice.
What is a staged playground installation?
A staged installation delivers a playground in planned phases: a complete, usable Stage 1 now, with the design allowing for additional equipment or zones to be added in later budget cycles.
How much of my playground project should I expect to cover through fundraising or sponsorship?
There’s no fixed breakdown; most groups aim for a realistic gap-funding target once they know what a grant (if any) will cover. Most importantly, talk to us early so you can base your numbers around a real quote.
Is equipment leasing or financing an option to fund a school or community playground?
It’s less common than grants or fundraising, but definitely worth raising with your finance team or treasurer, especially if timing is tight and other funding is still a way off.
What grants are available for playground projects in Victoria?
It depends on your situation: government schools, Catholic and Independent schools, kindergartens, and community groups each have their own funding pathways, and specific programs change throughout the year. Read more about Grants and Funding Options in our comprehensive guide here.
How do I improve my chances of winning a playground grant
Apply early with a fixed-price quote and concept design already in hand, address the funder’s stated priorities directly, back your case with evidence (enrolment numbers, community support, photos), and note your equipment’s AS 4685 compliance. Read more about Grants and Funding Options in our comprehensive guide here.
How much does the average Australian playground cost?
The final cost of every playground project comes down to a handful of variables, and they’re decisions that can be made and planned for early so there are no surprises later. As a general guide, playground projects in Australia typically cost between $20-30,000 for a zoned project for early learning centres, small schools, or a single play area addition up to $200,000 plus for a major installation, multi-age school site, or proper custom design.
There’s more information about the average cost of a playground in our article here.
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