Grants Stimulus

Playground equipment is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. Engineering and raw material costs can prohibit some organizations from the opportunity to afford commercial-grade play equipment.
This is precisely the reason Playground Equipment Pros encourages and provides a detailed and often updated list of ways to fund your playground purchase through local, state, and national grants. By leveraging these funding resources, you can transform your vision into reality, ensuring that all children in your community have access to safe and engaging play experiences.
For personalized assistance and additional budgeting information related to your specific project, please contact your local playground representative. Then reach out to us with any questions!

National Grants

🧸 Build-A-Bear Foundation

Deadline: March 31st Award Amount: Varies
The mission of the Build-A-Bear Foundation is to provide a little more love to life by providing opportunities for children of all ages to better their communities and share their heart with others.
Key Details:
  • Grant requests received January 1st through March 31st
  • Requests received after the deadline will not be considered
  • Applying organizations must be a 501(c)(3) and live within 50 miles of a Build-A-Bear location
  • Values programs that promote H.E.A.R.T.: Help communities through volunteering, Experience the power of teamwork, Accept people's differences, Respect people and animals, Take the lead to drive positive change
  • Organizations are encouraged to apply yearly until a grant is secured
Applications can be found and submitted electronically on the Build-A-Bear Foundation website.

🥦 Childhood Obesity Prevention Challenge Area

United States Department of Agriculture
Deadline: August Award Amount: $7,000
Designed to target youth ages 2–19 and reduce obesity and overweight percentage, fostering a long-term effect.
Key Details:
  • A successful proposal includes three components: research, education, and extension
  • In most cases, this is a matching grant
  • At least 50% of grant funding must be matched by a non-federal source towards equipment purchase
Additional information can be found on the USDA website.

🏈 Community Grants — PeyBack Foundation

Deadline: February Award Amount: Varies
The PeyBack Foundation funds communities where NFL player Peyton Manning has lived and holds an interest, including Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, and Tennessee.
Key Details:
  • Over $7 million in grants distributed since 2002
  • Must be a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
  • Applications due annually in February; funding distributed in May
  • Priority given to programs impacting at-risk youth outside the school day
Visit the PeyBack Foundation website for applications and instructions.

🔨 Community Grant — Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation

Deadline: Rolling Award Amount: $5,000–$25,000
Grassroots community projects are a focus of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation.
Key Details:
  • Funding for 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities in communities with Lowe's stores and distribution centers
  • Primary areas: community improvement projects and K-12 public education
  • All applicants must take an online eligibility quiz
  • Average requests fall between $5,000–$25,000
  • Does not fund individuals, churches, capital campaigns, private schools, or institutional overhead
Visit the Lowe's Foundation website for more information.

🏦 Corporate Giving — Wells Fargo

Deadline: Rolling Award Amount: Varies
Wells Fargo Corporate Giving strengthens communities by providing assistance to organizations offering human service, community development, educational, artistic, cultural, civic, and environmental programs.
Key Details:
  • Must be a 501(c)(3) organization or qualified tribal/government agency (including schools)
  • Cannot fund individuals, advertising, labor activities, or for-profit entities
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis; review takes approximately 60 days
  • Grant funds typically received within 30 days of approval
  • Applicants encouraged to reapply yearly if not selected
Applications available on the Wells Fargo website.

🛒 Costco Wholesale Grants

Deadline: 3 Months Prior to Need Award Amount: Varies
501(c)(3) organizations can apply for funding through grants focused on Youth, Education, and Health & Human Services.
Key Details:
  • Must be located near a Costco location
  • Not eligible: individuals, religious organizations, individual/primary schools, government agencies
  • Applications accepted year-round; allow at least 90 days for determination
  • Submit grant application and cover letter via email to the designated Costco recipient
Applications available on the Costco Charitable Giving website.

🏃 Go Grants! — Phit America

Deadline: June 1st Award Amount: $1,000–$5,000
Go Grants support physical activity for youth ages 5–12 and require enrollment in the Let's Move! Active Schools Program.
Key Details:
  • Public or charter schools only, serving K–6 students
  • Must implement a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity per day
  • Projects must be new or implement additional physical activity (preexisting programs not eligible)
  • Maximum funding: $40 per youth
  • Awards announced by late July
Refer to the Phit America website for guidelines.

🎲 Local Community Grants — Hasbro Children's Fund

Deadline: Varies Award Amount: Varies
Grants focus on three principles: programs providing hope to youth in need, play for youth who wouldn't otherwise have access, and empowerment through service.
Key Details:
  • Local community grants available where Hasbro has operating facilities: Los Angeles, CA; Renton, WA; and Rhode Island
  • Priority: children in crisis, pediatric services, hunger security, educational programs, quality out-of-school time programs
  • Each state coordinates an annual application deadline
Visit the Hasbro Children's Fund website for state-by-state requirements.

🏥 National & Community Grants — Aetna Foundation

Deadline: RFP due in April Award Amount: Varies
The Aetna Foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations with an emphasis on nutrition and motion.
Key Details:
  • Funds organizations that increase physical activities in communities where access is limited
  • Will not fund over 20% of an organizational budget
  • 15% of application budget cannot be designated towards indirect costs
  • RFPs due in April; Stage 1 notifications in early May
Visit the Aetna Foundation website for details.

🏦 PNC Foundation Grant

Deadline: Rolling Award Amount: Varies
Support for organizations benefiting health, education, quality of life, and services for low-to-moderate-income families and individuals.
Key Details:
  • Must be a 501(c)(3) with preference for early childhood and economic focus
  • Must be near a PNC banking location (interactive map available on website)
  • Not eligible: religious organizations, non-sectarian activities, PNC United Way recipients, annual funds of colleges/universities/hospitals
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Submit online through the PNC Foundation website.

☀️ Shade Structure Program — Academy of Dermatology

Deadline: November 25th Award Amount: $8,000
Grants for permanent shade structures for playgrounds, pools, and outdoor structures not protected from the sun.
Key Details:
  • Available to public schools and nonprofits serving youth 18 and younger
  • Must be recommended by an American Academy of Dermatology Dermatologist
  • Must show commitment to safe sun practices
  • Two color photos of the area to be shaded required
  • Application cycle opens September 1st; closes November 25th
Submit online through the AAD website.

👦 Youth Development Grant — The Dekko Foundation

Deadline: Rolling Award Amount: Varies
The Dekko Foundation funds projects focused on developing healthy youth.
Geographic areas of interest:
  • Limestone County, Alabama
  • Collier County, Florida
  • DeKalb, LaGrange, Kosciusko, Noble, Stuben, Whitley Counties, Indiana
  • Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Ringgold, Union Counties, Iowa
  • Norman County, Minnesota
Key Details:
  • Grants categorized by early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, and community development
  • Proposals received on a rolling deadline; allow at least 90 days before funding need
  • Application limited to 100 words (serves as first step in the relationship)
  • Phone calls welcomed during the application process
Visit the Dekko Foundation website for applications.

Need Help Applying?

Contact Playground Equipment Pros and we'll help you identify the best grant opportunities for your project and guide you through the process.
There are many many opportunities for grants running a basic google search can list up to date and current open grants.