Opportunity

The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) and the national nonprofit KABOOM! are partnering to build eight new playgrounds throughout Virginia in 2023 to provide healthy spaces where kids can thrive.

Each playground will be custom-designed by kids and community members through an engaging and fun process that culminates in a volunteer playground build day.

While applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, this is a competitive process so interested youth-serving organizations and municipalities are encouraged to apply quickly for these exclusive opportunities to bring healthy play to Virginia communities.

The KABOOM! Community Build Model

Step 1: APPLY

Complete the online application on kaboom.org. Qualifying organizations will be invited to complete the full screening process. A final project timeline will be confirmed at the end of the screening process.

Step 2: COMMUNITY ACTIVATION

Selected partners will work with KABOOM! to create a plan to build awareness and engage community members in the project.

Step 3: DESIGN

Kids, parents, community members, and partners will give design feedback through a hybrid approach of in-person and virtual design touchpoints.

Step 4: PLAN

KABOOM! will facilitate weekly planning calls with community members and other local partners to help plan the all-volunteer, playground build week.

Step 5: BUILD

Each playground will be built by 75-100 volunteers from the community over a 3-day period.  The final day will end with a ribbon cutting to celebrate completion of the new space!

Requirements

• Applicants must:
  • Provide services to youth who lack access to safe, quality play spaces
  • Have a minimum of 2,000 square feet of space to build a playground
  • Own or lease the land where the playground will be built or partner directly with the landowner
  • Engage community members in the project process
  • Be comfortable with a volunteer playground installation (overseen by KABOOM! staff and professional installers from the equipment manufacturer)
  • Complete site preparation and host the build event
  • Maintain the playground after it is built

The Application Process

Application Part I – Logistics

https://kaboom.org/grants/application

The Application provides us with all of the necessary logistical information (including pictures) to understand your community playground needs. After completing this section, a KABOOM! Community Engagement Manager will be in touch within two weeks of receiving your application.

Estimated time to complete: 30-45 minutes

Application Part II – Community Context

You will be invited to complete Part II of the application after a KABOOM! Community Engagement Manager has assessed your Part I Logistics application. Part II information helps us better understand your community goals, capacity needs and playground vision.

Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes

Questions?
Please feel free to email VFHY Director of Programs Michael Parsons at mparsons@vfhy.org