Playground Equipment Grants and Funding
Are you looking for playground equipment grants and funding?
We understand that securing a budget for new play areas can be a challenge – that’s why we are proud to have partnered with FundEd, a leading expert in grants and funding support for schools.
Through our partnership with FundEd, we can help guide you towards the best funding options available to find you playground equipment
grants. Whether you’re planning a full playground redevelopment, adding exciting new play structures, or upgrading your existing equipment, there are a wide range of grants and funding opportunities that could support your project.
How we can help:
Expert advice on the most suitable playground equipment grants
Access to comprehensive lists of available playground equipment funding opportunities
Guidance on preparing successful funding applications
Practical tips to maximise your chances of securing grants
We believe that every child deserves a safe, stimulating, and inclusive outdoor play space – and funding should not be a barrier to achieving this. With the right support, your vision for a vibrant new playground can become a reality.
Get in touch
If you would like to find out more about how we and FundEd can assist you, or if you would like to discuss your project, please get in touch with us today. Let’s work together to create an inspiring play environment for your pupils!
Contact us for more information and we can link you up with FundEd.
Current UK Funding opportunities you can use with Everyday Play playground equipment.
London Marathon Foundation’s Active Spaces Fund
Between £10,000 and £80,000
The Active Spaces Fund is run by the London Marathon Foundation and supports projects in London that improve spaces, places and facilities and help people who are less active or underserved to lead more active and healthy lives.
The Foundation’s priority audiences currently include children and young people, people from ethnically diverse groups, people from lower socio-economic groups, women and girls, people with disabilities, people with long-term health conditions, older people aged 65 and over, and the LGBTQ+ community.
The fund is particularly relevant to projects where improving a physical space will help create more opportunities for people to take part in physical activity.
- Stage 1, Expression of Interest (EOI): You can apply at any time throughout the year. The Foundation says it aims to tell you within 30 working days whether your project is eligible to proceed to the full application stage.
- Stage 2, full application: If your EOI is successful, you apply during one of the scheduled funding rounds.
- The next full application deadline is 23 September 2026.
- After that, the listed deadlines are 6 January 2027, 24 March 2027, 7 July 2027 and 22 September 2027.
The Linnean Society: School Nature Grant Scheme
Up to £1,000.
Encouraging young people to take the lead on projects that involve local nature and natural spaces. The Linnean Society’s Local Nature Grant Scheme is open to schools, student groups, community groups and small charities. Projects can include creating a nature walk, building a community garden or holding a school festival about nature.
Application window opens in September
RHS (The Royal Horticultural Society): National Education Nature Park
Up to £5,000.
Each year, the RHS publishes a list of educational settings that qualify for a National Education Nature Park Grant. Funding is available to improve biodiversity in school grounds – empowering children and young people to make a positive difference to both their own and nature’s future.
Application window opens in September
PE and School Sport Partnerships Network
The PE and School Sport Partnerships Network is the government’s new approach to supporting PE, school sport and physical activity in schools across England. It is replacing the existing Primary PE and Sport Premium, which came to an end at the end of the 2025/26 academic year. The new Partnerships Network is being introduced during 2026/27, with the government expecting it to be operational from January 2027 and fully rolled out from Spring 2027.
The new approach represents a significant change in the way schools will be supported. Rather than continuing with the previous direct-to-school PE and Sport Premium model, the Partnerships Network is designed to provide schools with access to wider support, expertise and opportunities through local and national partnerships.
The government has announced £580 million for the new Partnerships Network, as part of more than £1 billion of investment in school sport over three years. There is also almost £200 million for improvements to school sporting facilities, which could support areas such as accessibility and additional equipment. A one-off £100 million payment is also being provided to support primary schools during the transition to the new approach.
Phase 3 School-Based Nursery (SBN) Capital Grant 2027–2030
The UK Government has launched the third phase of the School-Based Nursery (SBN) Capital Grant, providing capital funding to support the creation and expansion of school-based nursery provision between 2027 and 2030.
The programme is designed to increase access to high-quality early years places, particularly in areas where there is a clear need for additional provision.
Unlike previous phases, Phase 3 is being led by local authorities. Individual schools cannot apply directly for the grant. Schools interested in creating or expanding a nursery should contact their local authority to discuss whether their project can be included within its funding proposal.
Funding can support projects at state-funded primary schools, maintained nursery schools and Best Start Family Hub sites, including the creation of new nursery spaces or the expansion of existing provision.
Key deadline
Local authorities must submit their Phase 3 funding proposals by 5pm on 30 September 2026.
Schools considering a new or expanded nursery should therefore engage with their local authority as soon as possible.
Planning a school-based nursery project? We can help you understand the funding requirements, develop your project proposal and prepare the information needed to support discussions with your local authority.
Other known available grants
National Lottery Community Fund – Awards for All
Who can apply: Schools, charities, and community organisations across the UK.
Funding available: £300–£20,000 for projects lasting up to 2 years.
Eligible projects: Playground upgrades, outdoor learning spaces, and accessibility improvements.
How to apply: Apply online via the National Lottery Community Fund website.
Tesco Stronger Starts
Who can apply: Schools, registered charities, and not-for-profit organisations supporting children and young people.
Funding available: Up to £1,500 awarded through customer voting in Tesco stores.
Eligible projects: Small-scale playground improvements, new equipment, or upgrades to existing facilities.
How to apply: Apply online through Tesco Stronger Starts.
Biffa Award
Who can apply: Non-profit organisations (excluding schools) for projects near landfill sites in England and Northern Ireland.
Funding available: £10,000–£75,000 for projects costing up to £200,000.
Eligible projects: Larger-scale playground projects and community outdoor spaces.
How to apply: Apply online via Biffa Award.
Playground Fundraising
Playground equipment is often one of the top priorities for PTAs, parents, and school leadership teams. But how do you actually go about raising the money? Here’s a practical guide to help you explore the best strategies and start turning your plans into reality.
Fundraising Avenues to Explore
Every school is unique, so it’s worth surveying your community to find out which types of fundraising would be most popular and what skills or contacts people can offer. Here are some of the most common – and effective – ways to fundraise for outdoor play projects:
Playground Grant Funding
Potential: £500 – £10,000+
There are numerous grants available for schools developing outdoor learning or play spaces. Some are specifically focused on education or outdoor enrichment (e.g. Ernest Cook Trust), while others are broader in scope, such as the National Lottery’s Awards for All programme.
Writing a compelling grant application takes time. You’ll need to prepare detailed budgets, gather quotes, seek letters of support, and demonstrate community need and impact. Plan ahead and don’t leave it to the last minute.
FundEd is a valuable resource, offering a grants database and expert guidance on bid writing – ideal for schools looking to strengthen their application success rate.
Crowdfunding in the Community
Potential: £2,000 – £8,000
Crowdfunding allows you to tell your story, showcase your vision, and invite a broad audience to contribute small amounts online. It’s a great way to involve the whole community – from parents and extended family to local businesses and former pupils.
You can also seek sponsorship from local companies. Many have community support or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budgets, especially businesses like estate agents, which benefit from strong local schools. After-school clubs and other organisations using your premises might also be willing to support a shared space improvement.
Fundraising Events
Potential: £150 – £3,000
Events are a fantastic way to bring people together and raise funds at the same time. Make it clear that proceeds are going towards your playground project, and consider hosting events that tie in with the theme of outdoor play.
Some ideas include:
Summer fairs and outdoor festivals
Campover nights or open-air film screenings
Pet shows, car boot sales or nature trails
Sponsored activities like fun runs, bounce-a-thons, or fitness challenges (don’t forget to claim Gift Aid!)
Low-Effort Fundraising Ideas
Potential: £50 – £1,500
Small activities can quickly add up – and they’re perfect for involving a wide range of supporters.
Small, simple activities can build momentum and quickly contribute to your fundraising total – without requiring a huge amount of time or resources.
One popular option is a “Loose Change Challenge”. Each class gets a jar or container, and over a set period (a week or month), pupils are encouraged to bring in spare coins from home. It creates a fun, friendly competition between classes to see who can collect the most. You can even offer a small prize for the winning class, like an extra playtime or non-uniform day.