Installing a new playspace, or upgrading an outdated one, is no small task. To start, you need to understand the community’s needs and preferences, and then you must create a realistic budget.
Your costs will include equipment, installation, surfacing, any necessary permits and long-term maintenance. You also may wish to build in the cost of a grand opening celebration.
Once you have your budget in hand, you’ll be ready for the next major step: fundraising. A fundraising campaign can seem daunting at first, but it doesn’t need to be. Just keep these four key aspects in mind:
1. Planning and Goal Setting
Understand your “why”: According to KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit that is dedicated to ending playspace inequity, “All good fundraising begins with one important principle: passion. Take a moment to think about why you’re involved in this community playspace project.” Why is this project important? How will it change or improve daily life in this community?
Establish your project milestones: Your budget determines your overall fundraising goal, and your preferred grand opening date sets the timetable. Now, work backward: When will you need to order the equipment, and how long will it take to complete installation and surfacing? Identify all the key milestones for keeping the project on track, and the funding goal for each milestone.
Build your fundraising team: These will be people who are deeply invested in the community. Evaluate each person’s experience, skill set and availability, and then assign roles such as community outreach coordinator, development coordinator/grant writer, public relations coordinator, volunteer coordinator and event coordinator.
A tip from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA):
“Social media in general can be very helpful in telling your story, which is key to successful fundraising… aim to recruit young people to form a committee to strategize on a social media fundraising campaign.”
2. Identification of Funding Sources
Research grant opportunities: Your development coordinator will look into grant opportunities at the local, state and even national levels. Luckily, BCI Burke has a complete and up-to-date playground grant database of Federal, State and Private Foundation grants available to schools and non-profit organizations including those with religious affiliations.
Solicit corporate sponsorships: Your community outreach coordinator will connect with local business owners to discuss corporate sponsorships and how their businesses could be recognized in publicity materials. These sponsorships will involve a mix of financial and in-kind contributions (donations of materials or services that reduce project costs).
Include a crowdfunding element: Use a trustworthy and widely recognized platform like GoFundMe, and encourage your team to help promote the crowdfunding campaign online.
3. Community Engagement
Offer tiered local sponsorships: Create special sponsorship tiers for local donors. Higher tiers might include naming rights, engraved bricks or tiles, and custom sponsor signs that BCI Burke can provide. Lesser tiers might involve recognition on social media or a project website.
Build partnerships: Connect with local schools and youth organizations. They might be willing to conduct fundraisers on your behalf or simply help spread the word. Local restaurants, cafes and shops might be interested in donating a portion of their proceeds on select dates in return for sponsor recognition.
Host events: You’re limited only by your imagination. You can host cook-offs, bake sales, run/walk events, silent auctions, live music and more. Just remember that having volunteer support is critical for such activities, so empower your volunteer coordinator to build a strong volunteer network in your area.
4. Communication
Build awareness and share progress: This is where your public relations coordinator comes in. Create posters and flyers that can be distributed around town, set up social media pages for sharing updates, and send email updates to a VIP list through an email marketing platform. Consider building a project website as well.
Pursue press coverage: Issue press releases that promote upcoming community fundraising events, share donation milestones, and provide general project updates. If possible, incorporate diverse community voices and perspectives so journalists understand the project’s significance.
Build trust through transparency: Be honest about progress toward your milestones. Demonstrate good stewardship; keep your donors informed about how you are using their funds. Show appreciation for contributions and volunteer hours. And, most of all, be flexible. Share any setbacks you might face, adjust your strategy and timetable as needed, and ensure that your supporters feel part of the team. You’re doing this together.
Additional Resources:
Check out NRPA’s “Park and Recreation Professionals’ Guide to Fundraising.”
Explore the ways Buell can provide play and movement for all spaces. You also can contact your Buell representative to discuss your specific needs.