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physical projects with a tangible outcome. Your bright, shiny new play area is a highly visible space and will bring a lot of attention. Attract sponsors with the promise of their name and logo on a donation board and an invitation to the press launch. PE and Sport Premium funding


is an option but be aware that the DfE does not permit its use on capital-based projects. The Association for Physical Education (afpe.org.uk) has guidance on this, including details on the fi ve key indicators that schools should see improvements in. If you’re creative and can


demonstrate sustainability and impact, then Sport Premium could be an option. Speak to your local Active Partnerships too, as they’ll have suggestions on appropriate routes to funding (sportengland.org).


Shout from the ramparts Even good campaigns fail to get off the ground if they’re not marketed properly. You don’t need a slick PR campaign but do plan how you will launch the project and then follow up with reminders and reposts. Your school website is the


primary portal for information, so make sure your campaign is visible and can be accessed with just one or two clicks. A banner across the top of the home page, a scrolling tickertape or a new ‘Fundraising’ tab will help convert interest into action. Provide links to your crowdfunding page from Twitter, Facebook and so on. You can add a hashtag to your new project name too. Remove the barriers and make it easy for people to help you.


■ Justin Smith is managing director of Chameleon Consultancy and Training Ltd, which provides specialist marketing and income generation support to schools. chameleon-training.co.uk


PLGRANTS FORAYGROUNDS by Sarah Everson F


un and engaging outdoor spaces are more important than ever for schools: they allow children to come


together with less risk of passing on infection, while the social and mental health benefi ts of physical play and exploring the environment are undeniable. Grant awards can be hotly


contested, but supporting young people and Covid-19 recovery are common priorities for many funders. When applying, remember to stress how important reconnecting with peers and the environment is for children after extended periods of lockdown and home learning. Larger projects tend to be funded


by larger trusts, although making a number of applications to several smaller funders can bear dividends. (See the Focus On Local Grants in the autumn 2021 edition of FundEd.) Schools can apply for The National Lottery Community Fund’s Reaching Communities England grant-funding stream, which offers more than £10,000


for projects that improve community places. Tesco Community Grants can be used for school projects beyond the curriculum, either for a


whole project or a contribution towards a larger scheme. However, don’t expect to receive funding quickly – projects selected can take up to 18 months to reach the shoppers’ vote (which awards grants of up to £1,500). Tesco isn’t the


only supermarket offering grants that can


potentially be used for outdoor or playground improvement projects. The Co-op Local Community


Fund opens for applications once a year, usually in spring, and matches charitable causes with local branches (you will need your PTA to apply). A share of the local funding pot is awarded over the course of a year. As with Tesco, this isn’t a quick win, as the fi nal payment will be received around 18 months after application. Schools within geographical


areas where the Central England Co-operative operates can also be nominated for the My Co-op Community Dividend Fund. This offers up to £5,000 for projects aimed at health, wellbeing and the environment. Launched in October 2021, the


ASDA Foundation’s Investing In Spaces & Places scheme offers from £5,000 to £25,000 for improving community spaces where local people can be together and thrive. Applications for the fi rst round closed on 6 February, but the Foundation aims to offer this grant annually. Local grants are defi nitely


worth tapping into. If not a local supermarket, do you have an airport nearby? Many of the larger airports offer outdoor grants for playground and gardening projects as they seek to improve the environment impacted by their operations. If you are in a rural area off the


mains gas grid, look at the Calor Rural Community Fund. Funding of up to £5,000 is available and can be linked to an online crowdfunding campaign to boost the amount raised towards your project. To fi nd suitable funders, search


the ‘playground and outdoor’ category of the FundEd grants database funded.org.uk/grants/


FundEd SPRING 2022 11


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