When you need to raise funds, start by getting a clear idea of the amount of money you're looking for. For smaller figures, consider sponsorships, collections and special events; more substantial sums will usually come through grant funding.

There are many sources of funding that can be accessed by groups seeking to improve opportunities for children’s play. Whichever suits you, we've put together these tips and suggestions to help boost your fundraising efforts.

Play providers have always been adaptable and resourceful in seeking funding. Your group should have a fundraising strategy that is part of your overall action plan. Don’t wait for an application pack before establishing what your priorities are, your vision and how you will achieve it.

Funders are interested in what difference their funding will make and what change will result from their financial support. They will also want to see evidence that your project meets their own objectives. Be confident that you can deliver the project or service you need money for, and how you will be able to show evience of what you achieve.of what you have achieved.

There are plenty of sources of information and advice about successful fundraising, but when you are starting out it is important to:

• identify who could help you – contact your local authority or Council for Voluntary Services (CVS)
• find out what funding is available – get to know what you can apply for and the funders that support children’s play, as well as the outcomes that play can help deliver for example, improving health by increasing physical activity 
• show you have community support – involve children and young people and other members of the community
• get other organisations to support your application – build partnerships with other groups and organisations in your area that can help or support your aims, for example other community groups, voluntary organisations, environmental and parks departments, police, health and children’s services
• build relationships with funders – be clear about what you want to achieve, check you have provided what they want, make sure you have thought about the small details for example, documents are dated and signed correctly, you provide all the information requested, monitoring information is sent in on time, and the funder is always mentioned in publicity.

Funding sources change all the time, so it is important to check that you are using the most up-to-date information before you apply. A handy government website - Directgov - summarises all the different grants available for voluntary and community organisations (see Tools and information below).

Apply for funds that will support what you do. You may want to think about how your project is packaged to match the interests of potential funders but do not apply for funds to create something that is not really what you want to do. That is why it is important to think about your action plan or business plan before you start.

Many local authorities have a dedicated funding officer and produce newsletters and information sheets about the latest funding available. Make sure you put yourself on their distribution list and let them know what type of funding you are looking for.

In recent years there has been dedicated funding for play from the New Opportunities Fund Better Play programme, the Big Lottery Fund Children’s Play programme and capital funding through the national Play Strategy. Increasingly, local authorities are commissioning external providers of children’s play projects through children’s services, early years or parks departments.

Contact your local CVS for information advice and guidance on local funding opportunities. Many play associations also provide information on funding providers, specifically those that are likely to fund play projects. The Children’s Play Information Service has a database of play associations.

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Tools and information

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Organisations