Search for Your Play Grants

Funding and Grant Advice on Where to Start Your Search

There is a plethora of funding opportunities available ranging from government run grant schemes, lottery funds, private grants or traditional fund raising. Below is a selection that our customers use the most frequently, to fund outdoor playgrounds and shelters. But as you can see above, we have created a database of other grants that you can search for, based on whether you are a school or a parish council, whether you are looking simply for £500 or £50,000 and whether you are located in London or Yorkshire.  

* Please note that this information was current, to the best of our knowledge, at the time it was entered, please visit the funding website to ensure the information is still valid.

If you an Educational entity start here:

Department for Education replaces Department for Children, Schools and Families

The Department for Education was formed on May 12, 2010 after the change of government. It is responsible for the education and children's services of all people under the age of 19. The website www.edcuation.gov.uk contains information for school governors, early years workforce, school workforce, children's workforce, local authorities, parents and carers, employers and young people.

Early Years Setting: Early Year Capital Funding Grant DEADLINE IS AUGUST 31, 2010!

For private and state settings that provide early years education between the years of 0-5. Designed to improve the quality of the learning environment including everything from indoor to outdoor equipment that stimulates children’s progress. We have been told that applications not submitted by August 31st, 2010 will loose any remaining Early Years Capital Funding Grant due to the cuts the new government has put in place. Please contact your LEA advisor to find out if you can still submitt an application!

Primary & Secondary Schools: Per Capita Grant

For schools, based on the number of children, type of school and locality. It may sound obvious but surpluses between income and expenditure are an important source of funds for many school projects.

Primary & Secondary Schools: Devolved Capital

Provides funding either directly to schools or in some cases to both local authorities and schools. The goal is to provide each school with it's own capital money to address it's own priorities such as buildings, ICT and other capital needs. This includes £959 million for the year of 2010-2011 and is based on a given formula plus an amount per child. Visit this website for more information.

Primary & Secondary Schools: Modernisation

Programme given to Local Authorities to improve the infrastructure of the school estate and upgrade existing buildings or build new ones in line with local asset management plan priorities. £517 million is available in 2010-2011 and is allocated by formula. Visit this website for more information.

New Specialist Schools

Programme to support one-off capital projects at newly designated specialist schools to enhance the schools' facility in relation to teaching specialist subjects especially in providing suitable permanent accomodation and access to the facilities. £15 million is available in 2010 and 2011 and paid to the Local Authority on a quarterly basis, as a one-off flat grant of £100,000. Visit this website for more information.

Primary, Maintained Nurseries & Secondary Schools: School Travel Plan

Designed to initiate a package of measures to improve safety for children to walk to school and reduce car use. To be used for on-site improvements which promote or enable more sustainable travel to the school such as lockers, cycle storage, new paths and CCTV. £20 million is allocated for 2010-2011 based on a set amount and a number of pupils (ie a primary school will get £3,750 plus £5 per child). Visit this website for more information.

Primary Schools: PCP, Primary Capital Programme

For all UK schools to rebuild or improve their facilities by 2022-2023 including taking out the worst 5% of primary school buildings, giving 45% of primary schools a major investment and ensure the remaining 50% have minor investment to maintain and improve their buildings. £1.9 billion has been pledged from 2008-2011. Contact your Local Authority’s Primary Capital Coordinator for details.

Primary & Secondary Schools: Free Swimming

It's aim is to bring flexibility to encourage creative approaches to swimming facilities and increase participation especially to those under the age of 16. Can be applied by Local Authorities for improvements to publically accessible swimming pools or those maintained in school ownership. £25 million is allocated in 2010-2011 half of which is for pools on school sites. Visit this website for more information.

Fundraising Skills

A company we work closely with where you will find a lot of help and advice in preparing your funding submissions and fundraising training courses for schools, sports clubs, charities and self help organisations. For more information visit www.fundraisingskills.co.uk or call Louise Germaney on 0191 276 3261.

The National Lottery - The Big Lottery Fund

Gives away over £2.8 billion in grants ranging from small local groups to major national charities through programmes such as:

- Awards for All funds small local based projects between £300-£10,000 to improve communities and the lives of people within them. It is for voluntary and community groups, schools and health organisations, parish and town councils. Visit their website for more details or call 0845 410 2030.

- National Lottery Fund Finder is a great place to start to see if your project qualifies for the many funds that the National Lottery runs!

If you are a Local Council, Community Group or a Not-For Profit entity:

DCMS, Department for Culture, Media and Sport

DCMS’s aim is to improve the quality of life for all through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion tourism, creative and leisure industries. For example they are responsible for the 2012 Olympic Games, the National Lottery and Sport England. For more information visit www.culture.gov.uk.

Sport England

Run by the DCMS, Sport England's focus is the creation of a world-leading community sport system including facilities, clubs, coaches and volunteers. They invest £480 million through the National Lottery and other funding programmes. Visit their website for more information or call 0845 850 8508.

The National Lottery - The Big Lottery Fund

Gives away over £2.8 billion in grants ranging from small local groups to major national charities through programmes such as:

- Awards for All funds small local based projects between £300-£10,000 to improve communities and the lives of people within them. It is for voluntary and community groups, schools and health organisations, parish and town councils. Visit their website for more details or call 0845 410 2030.

- Community Wildlife funds £300-£10,000 to not-for-profit groups and local, town or parish councils to get get communities involved in their local wildlife by creating or enhancing local wildlife areas. To learn more visit their website or call 0845 367 0610.

- Changing Community Spaces funds £10,000-£49,999 to community groups such as resident associations or freinds groups, that want to improve local green spaces such as play areas, community gardens, parks, wildlife areas, village greens, kick-about areas and pathway improvements. Deadline is January 2011.  Visit their website for more information or call 0845 367 1671.

- National Lottery Fund Finder is a great place to start to see if your project qualifies for the many funds that the National Lottery runs!

Fundraising Skills

A company we work closely with where you will find a lot of help and advice in preparing your funding submissions and fundraising training courses for schools, sports clubs, charities and self help organisations. For more information visit www.fundraisingskills.co.uk or call Louise Germaney on 0191 276 3261.