How can I raise money to build a playground for inner-city kids?
December 22, 2008 9:13 AM Subscribe
How can I raise money to build a playground for inner-city kids?
I am a senior in college at Brown University. I have been involved with a mentoring program (a kind of big brother, big sister kind of thing) since I came to school there at a community center in inner-city Providence, Rhode Island. I came to coordinate the program and would like to, in order to leave something lasting, build a new playground for the community center. The previous playground is decrepit (due to vandalism) and was poorly built and cheap.
I am trying to think of how I can raise a decent amount of money to build a durable, safe playground for the community center. I think we could get free labor in the form of students and parents to build it. Centrally, the cost would be materials. I imagine that I will try and pursue some kind of playground kit. I don't know how much this would cost. I don't know how common this kind of approach is but I have definitely seen it done before.
I am about to start trying to develop partnerships and get the ball rolling on this project. I have a good number of personal connections at the community center through my 4 years volunteering there. These individuals like the idea and want to be involved. I am somewhat well connected with pertinent groups at Brown. I am also a leader in Engineers without Borders at Brown, but don't think it is a good idea to have a student group design this playground as it will already take enough effort just to fundraise for it.
I was wondering if anyone has done anything similar or has suggestions for me. This is definitely a first time fundraiser experience. What sort of grants could I pursue? Who should I be talking to?
I am a senior in college at Brown University. I have been involved with a mentoring program (a kind of big brother, big sister kind of thing) since I came to school there at a community center in inner-city Providence, Rhode Island. I came to coordinate the program and would like to, in order to leave something lasting, build a new playground for the community center. The previous playground is decrepit (due to vandalism) and was poorly built and cheap.
I am trying to think of how I can raise a decent amount of money to build a durable, safe playground for the community center. I think we could get free labor in the form of students and parents to build it. Centrally, the cost would be materials. I imagine that I will try and pursue some kind of playground kit. I don't know how much this would cost. I don't know how common this kind of approach is but I have definitely seen it done before.
I am about to start trying to develop partnerships and get the ball rolling on this project. I have a good number of personal connections at the community center through my 4 years volunteering there. These individuals like the idea and want to be involved. I am somewhat well connected with pertinent groups at Brown. I am also a leader in Engineers without Borders at Brown, but don't think it is a good idea to have a student group design this playground as it will already take enough effort just to fundraise for it.
I was wondering if anyone has done anything similar or has suggestions for me. This is definitely a first time fundraiser experience. What sort of grants could I pursue? Who should I be talking to?
The only reason I originally got involved with our HOA some time ago was to get the playground revamped - most of the older wood stuff was seriously rotten and needed to be torn down.
I'm not sure if the kits that can be gotten at the big-box DIY stores are "rated" as such for commercial/public use, so bear that in mind.
I would do some research into commercial equipment first - this might give you a target for your fundraising goals. The installers (many of whom build these things for schools, parks, etc) will also know what can or can't fit in your available space. Swings, for example, apparently need to sit with such-and-such a setback from the edge of the groundcover, components X and Y have to be so many feet apart, and so on).
When I was looking for equipment, I discovered that the most durable stuff (enamel-covered metal, plastic/resin surfaces, etc) were pretty expensive, but generally seemed to be worth it. There are ADA considerations, as well - many of the tower-type platform assemblies include an oversized, low-level area that's accessible. Also - consider the groundcover. The installation may have to pass legal/safety muster and no one wants to be on the hook for an injury. Sadly, most of the stuff that might be easiest to build (think: jungle gyms made of pipes and whatnot) would probably not pass these days.
On the other hand, well-built by a good team is better than none at all, and it may be that for simple stuff, you may only be talking about a couple of hundred bucks for some PT wood, hardware, and ready-mix concrete for the footings. The commercial stuff is mind-numbingly expensive, but appears to be worth it in terms of durability. The wood stuff may need to be replaced every few years under heavy (and occasionally abusive) use.
posted by jquinby at 9:35 AM on December 22, 2008
I'm not sure if the kits that can be gotten at the big-box DIY stores are "rated" as such for commercial/public use, so bear that in mind.
I would do some research into commercial equipment first - this might give you a target for your fundraising goals. The installers (many of whom build these things for schools, parks, etc) will also know what can or can't fit in your available space. Swings, for example, apparently need to sit with such-and-such a setback from the edge of the groundcover, components X and Y have to be so many feet apart, and so on).
When I was looking for equipment, I discovered that the most durable stuff (enamel-covered metal, plastic/resin surfaces, etc) were pretty expensive, but generally seemed to be worth it. There are ADA considerations, as well - many of the tower-type platform assemblies include an oversized, low-level area that's accessible. Also - consider the groundcover. The installation may have to pass legal/safety muster and no one wants to be on the hook for an injury. Sadly, most of the stuff that might be easiest to build (think: jungle gyms made of pipes and whatnot) would probably not pass these days.
On the other hand, well-built by a good team is better than none at all, and it may be that for simple stuff, you may only be talking about a couple of hundred bucks for some PT wood, hardware, and ready-mix concrete for the footings. The commercial stuff is mind-numbingly expensive, but appears to be worth it in terms of durability. The wood stuff may need to be replaced every few years under heavy (and occasionally abusive) use.
posted by jquinby at 9:35 AM on December 22, 2008
Parks for People New England does exactly this sort of work. (Disclaimer: I work for their parent nonprofit, but in a different state.) I'd urge you to contact them. There are often State/Federal/Municipal dollars (yes even in this tight economy) earmarked for these sorts of projects.
posted by anastasiav at 9:36 AM on December 22, 2008
posted by anastasiav at 9:36 AM on December 22, 2008
KaBoom has many resources, toolkits, and grants available for this sort of project. I found out about them through the Sonyfield yogurt lids, but have no personal experience with them.
posted by scubbadubba at 9:52 AM on December 22, 2008
posted by scubbadubba at 9:52 AM on December 22, 2008
Best answer: I do have personal experience working with KaBoom. This is exactly what they do--partner with community groups to design, fundraise for, and build playgrounds in areas that need them. Their sort of signature thing is that they get people in the community to come out and build the playground all in one day (as in, "All of a sudden there's a playground here! Kaboom!"). They have project managers that work with a group in the community (like your community center) to organize the whole thing; the project managers help guide you through the fundraising, help you plan your project timeline, etc.
In theory, they are really committed to working with the community and using the resources of the community to get the playground built, so that once it's built they community feels invested in the playground and will keep taking care of it. In practice, the whole operation can sometimes have a little bit of a corporate, pre-fabbed feeling to it. But hey, that's why they can build playgrounds so smoothly, because they've turned it into a routine. They've also got a bunch of corporate partners, including Home Depot. All in all, I think they do good work, and they've created a system that's pretty accessible and successful for people like you, who want to improve their community but aren't sure where to start.
If you wanted to work with them, you'd start by filling out a "Playground Profile Application" on their website. If you don't go that route, I'd still poke around on their website; there are some useful ideas and links on there. Good luck!
posted by aka burlap at 10:13 AM on December 22, 2008
In theory, they are really committed to working with the community and using the resources of the community to get the playground built, so that once it's built they community feels invested in the playground and will keep taking care of it. In practice, the whole operation can sometimes have a little bit of a corporate, pre-fabbed feeling to it. But hey, that's why they can build playgrounds so smoothly, because they've turned it into a routine. They've also got a bunch of corporate partners, including Home Depot. All in all, I think they do good work, and they've created a system that's pretty accessible and successful for people like you, who want to improve their community but aren't sure where to start.
If you wanted to work with them, you'd start by filling out a "Playground Profile Application" on their website. If you don't go that route, I'd still poke around on their website; there are some useful ideas and links on there. Good luck!
posted by aka burlap at 10:13 AM on December 22, 2008
I think we could get free labor in the form of students and parents to build it. Centrally, the cost would be materials.
As much as I appreciate your DIY spirit, its very important to talk to the city government first. I imagine the Providence Parks Dept should be the first place you call. You'll need a permit to build anything and they probably dont want a bunch of amateurs with no experience building a playground for kids. The liability issues here can be very serious. At the very least you'll need a permit and an inspection. The playground must pass inspection and code.
Also, it might be more practical to raise the money for the park and have the city build it.
posted by damn dirty ape at 1:29 PM on December 22, 2008
As much as I appreciate your DIY spirit, its very important to talk to the city government first. I imagine the Providence Parks Dept should be the first place you call. You'll need a permit to build anything and they probably dont want a bunch of amateurs with no experience building a playground for kids. The liability issues here can be very serious. At the very least you'll need a permit and an inspection. The playground must pass inspection and code.
Also, it might be more practical to raise the money for the park and have the city build it.
posted by damn dirty ape at 1:29 PM on December 22, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by netbros at 9:30 AM on December 22, 2008