Grants for Playground Facilities
Playgrounds develop a child's mind as well as her physical strength. They are a terrific source for recreational activity, peer interaction, and a place to meet local parents and caregivers. Building and maintaining a playground can be costly. To help defray associated costs, grants are available.
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Professional Sports Teams
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Professional athletes are role models for many youngsters. Many athletes, athletic teams and sports leagues have established funding to promote physical fitness including grants to benefit playgrounds. The NFL's Atlanta Falcons (atlantafalcons.com) funds the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation Grants. The AFYF is the largest owner-funded foundation in the NFL serving projects that benefit children in Georgia in the fight against childhood obesity. In 2010, the nonprofit organization Park Pride Inc. was awarded $12,000 by the AFYF to fund their park improvement grant initiative. Eligible projects for Park Pride grants include purchasing playground equipment.
Corporate Grants
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Philanthropic foundations of businesses often support initiatives that engage and benefit children. Many focus on improving quality of life, health and educational opportunities for kids of all ages. Home improvement giant Lowes Company (lowes.com) sponsors the Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grants. As of 2011, the program has donated $20 million to over 5,000 schools in the United States to improve school structures as well as fund cleanup and landscaping initiatives. Those applications that include parent participation are given priority. Projects to build and maintain playgrounds are included amongst eligible projects.
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Regional Foundations
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Community-based nonprofit organizations often provide funding to projects that improve local neighborhoods and lives of residents. Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina funds projects statewide that encourage healthy eating and physical activity. The organization publishes online guides to creating outdoor play spaces as well as administer the Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina Community Grants Program. The grant focuses on programs that promote physical activity. During the 2010-2011 awards cycle, the Pilot Mountain Elementary School received funding to build outdoor play equipment.
Professional Organizations
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Institutions that advocate and promote particular occupations often have a philanthropic component to share professional knowledge for the benefit of society. The American Academy of Dermatology established the Shade Structure Program with funding from Johnson & Johnson Company (jnj.com) to provide outdoor areas, including playgrounds, with protection from ultraviolet rays. The program awards an $8,000 grant to purchase shade structures plus educational material on sun protection to display. Eligible recipients must be nonprofit organizations, be sponsored by a member of the AAD, and be dedicated to youth enrichment and sun safety.
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References
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