Playground grants in Minnesota

Several Minnesota funders accept applications from schools. Bernick's Fund Grants from the Bernick Family Foundation pay for capital projects in youth and education and youth health and fitness, with awards of $5,000 to $40,000. Schools based in or serving Bernick's service areas around Bemidji, Brainerd, Duluth, Waite Park and Willmar can apply. Because the fund favors projects that promote fitness and recreation, it helps to describe the playground in those terms.

In Lake Country Power's service territory, the LCP Education Improvement program funds projects at any school district facility that are used for educational purposes. Only district administration can apply, so a teacher or parent group should bring the idea to the district office rather than apply on its own. See our playgrounds for schools.

Yes, from at least one source. The Walmart Spark Good Local Grants accept faith-based organizations, as long as the project benefits the broader community and the church serves the same area as the Walmart store, Sam's Club or distribution center it applies to. Plan for a playground that neighbors outside the congregation can use.

Awards range from $250 to $5,000, so a grant would cover only part of a playground. The program runs three application cycles each fiscal year. A church that receives a grant cannot reapply to the same store in the same fiscal year, but it may apply to a different nearby facility. See our church playground equipment.

In the East Metro, it can if it has a fiscal sponsor. The F. R. Bigelow Foundation's Community Solutions Grant Program accepts groups that have an eligible fiscal sponsor, along with nonprofits, schools and government entities in Dakota, Washington and Ramsey counties. Its capital grants cover facilities and equipment, and the project should connect to priorities such as youth, equity or community building.

Elsewhere, many Minnesota funders accept only formal organizations. Initiative Foundation Grants in Central Minnesota go only to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, school districts and local government units. A neighborhood group in that region would need to partner with its city, township or a local nonprofit to apply. See our playgrounds for HOAs.

Yes. In Douglas County, the Alexandria Area Community Foundation's Difference Maker Grants accept government entities, schools and nonprofits, and they fund capital projects of $5,000 to $30,000. Completed projects are not funded, so a city should apply before construction starts and not after the playground is built.

In the 14-county Central Minnesota region, which includes Stearns, Wright, Sherburne and Crow Wing counties, local government units can apply for Initiative Foundation Grants. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with competitive review, and the foundation funds projects that build vibrant communities. See our playgrounds for parks.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation runs local community funds for several small towns. The Twin Valley-Gary Area Community Fund and Joseph Urdahl Memorial Fund gives grants of $500 to $10,000 for charitable, educational and public purpose projects that improve quality of life for residents and visitors. A playground can fit that purpose, but at that size a grant would likely cover only part of the project.

The Roseau Area Community Fund supports projects that improve quality of life in the Roseau area. It also considers educational programs and projects from the Roseau Public School district, so either a community playground or a school playground can qualify. Both funds accept applications during a set window rather than year round.