Playgrounds are an important part
of life for many communities, but organizations often lack funds to able to
provide them. We understand and are here to help you with ideas to gain those
needed funds! One way to obtain the funds for playground equipment for your
organization are FUNDRAISERS! Here are
just a few fundraising ideas we’ve seen other customers try. Take a look at
some fun and cost-effective fundraising ideas:

Daycares/Headstart Facilities FundRaiser Ideas

Candy
Sales = Instant Sales

Kids love candy! They can’t get
enough of it. Candy is also ridiculously cheap in bulk. So why not sell it at
your daycare and put the money towards new playground equipment. This is a very
simple fundraiser to start. Just get a Sam’s Club or Costco membership and sell
the candy at roughly twice the price paid for the candy. Most parents don’t
mind sending extra money with their kids for treats. And this is a fundraiser
that can last all year-long!

Put Together a Talent Show

What better way to raise money
for your daycare and build a child’s self-esteem, than to put together a talent
show? It’s also a really inexpensive
fundraiser to do. You could get a church or school to let you use their venue
and audio technician for cheap. Parents love to show off their children, and
love to invite all the grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. who will come out
the woodwork to see their little loved ones on stage! Now here is the key – charge for
admission! Charge $10 dollars at the
door and you will raise enough money for a playground in no time.

Sponsored Equipment Purchases

Businesses are always looking for
unique ways to advertise. Why not have them sponsor playground equipment at
your daycare? Try reaching out to your local businesses in your area, and tell
them about the opportunity to sponsor equipment. Offer a permanent sign
attached to any equipment that there willing to sponsor. The biggest selling
point is that it is an advertisement that lasts for years to come.

HOA/Living Community FundRaiser Ideas

Raffles

While not a novel idea, raffles
are a tried-and-true method for raising money quickly. The unique part about
Raffles is the Raffle Prize! Maybe the neighborhood has a high concentration of
artisan craftsman who can create a work of art for raffling. Or, perhaps a
resident is a licensed massage therapist who would provide an hour session to
the winner. Who doesn’t love a therapeutic massage? Get creative! Modern raffles do not have to include cheap
coffee makers or toaster ovens!

Student Volunteers

Many high school and college
students need to complete a certain amount of volunteer hours. The criteria are
usually lenient, therefore requesting their help might be met with eagerness.
The money saved by hiring volunteers to help clear the lot, plan the structure,
and assemble the playground could be the difference between a pipe dream and a
reality. To make it more enticing (and fun), offer to present the volunteers
with a certificate of
proof that they can use on college applications/resumes!

Block Parties

A contemporary block party,
potluck, or barbecue is a perfect fundraising opportunity because they are a
blast and they have the best food! Involve local musicians, actors, caterers,
and anybody else who provides a valuable product or service. Balloon artists,
jump houses, pony rides, and other kid-friendly things can take your block
party from lackluster to brilliant. Keep tickets affordable and consider
inviting people from outside the neighborhood, if possible.

Local Business

Lastly, talk to local businesses
around town and tell them about your big playground dreams and plans. Many
restaurateurs, shop owners, and integral entrepreneurs from the local area are
more than willing to offer an exchange in order to increase sales and community
involvement. Possible deals could include their donating necessary funds for
publicity, recognition, or exclusive use of services for a specific time period.

With ingenuity, patience, and
help, raising funds is a savvy way to get a brand-new playground for the
children and families living in their dream neighborhood.

School FundRaiser Ideas

Penny-a-Page Book-a-thon

Students of all ages will find
sponsors who pay $0.01 per page read during the designated week or month. To
encourage classes and build excitement, reward the class or grade level who has
the most read pages at the end of the time period. Throw a pizza lunch or
build-your-own ice cream sundae treat!

Sports Camp Saturday

Contact the local high school and
recreational league, as well as student parents. Ask for just one hour of their
sports expertise for a Sports Camp Saturday. Post your event and purpose on the
school calendar and in the parent newsletter. Be sure to list the clinic hours
and schedule of sports offered. Charge $5/hour or $10/whole day for students to
come and learn about their favorite sports!

Breakfast Bonding

Host a “Donuts with
Dad” and a “Muffins with Mom” breakfast before two different
school days. Pricing is up to you: 1. Set a cost per muffin or donut. Or 2. Set
a “by donation” bucket by the door. Be sure to post a sign or picture
of the playground so parents remember how the money is being spent. Invite
faculty and staff to donate juice. Baked goods can be donated by parents or
requested from a local bakery. You may choose to tell local businesses about
your Playground Plan, too. You’ll be surprised how many owners leap at the
chance to participate.

Garage Sale

Members of the area,
organization, and businesses/donors could donate new and lightly used items to
be sold for moderate prices. This would be a good opportunity to get the whole
community involved in raising funds while also building relationships with each
other and members of the organization through teamwork.

Bake Sales

This would be an excellent
opportunity to get families involved with the planning and execution by
allowing parents, members of the organization, and supporters to purchase or
make their own treats for a bake sale event. There could be raffles, cake
walks, games, and simple auctions. This event would give families time to work
together to raise money, teach children the value of working to earn funds for
things they love and enjoy, and help encourage relationships between families
and your organization.

Trivia Night

This could be hosted in a number
of places (possibly your organization), and is very cost-effective as materials
could be narrowed down to just paper, pens, and possibly small prizes which
could be donated. A good way to conduct this would be to assign teams, to
encourage more excitement through the aspect of competition and allow more
organization in the game process.

Fundraisers Just Not Your Thing?

If you’re in a bit of a hurry to get playground equipment
purchased and installed sooner versus later, well, there are other ways to fund
your playground immediately. Noah’s Park and Playgrounds works with Marlin Equipment Lease, a national finance provider
who specializes in start-up funding for businesses and organizations. Many
times an application is approved within 24 hours or less, and usually with a
great rate. Another thought is an online campaign such as Kickstarter, or GoFundMe page. With good, thorough
social media advertising to your community, these online campaigns can raise
thousands of dollars in a relatively short time frame. 

Best of luck making your playground a reality. It will be worth it! If you
have any questions or want to talk through your ideas and payment options,
please contact us. We are here
to help you reach your goal and to help bless your communities children!