OutClass™ Outdoor Classrooms, Funding Opportunities

Whether it’s just a little more help, or an entire project that needs funding, there are always avenues to help get your project off the ground. Our goal with OutClass™ outdoor classrooms, patent pending, is to get your project funded and built as quickly as possible. The faster we’re able to install your classroom, the sooner your students get outside and experience the first-hand benefits of outdoor learning. Today, fundraising is more competitive than ever before and it requires a sophisticated, strategic approach. Having raised millions of dollars for hundreds of projects, we offer this guide as a companion to our fundraising workshop. We hope this helps to make your dream a reality. Remember the old proverb, “the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time”.

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New Funding Opportunities

We’ve got our ear to the ground and constantly have our eyes peeled for new funding opportunities. Often, these are time sensitive, with application deadlines, or specifically geared towards a specific type of installation. We’ll keep our list of current, “live” grant and funding opportunities up-to-date on this page along with details on their coverage and application process.

Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation
Location: Utah
Type: Outdoor Classrooms, Outdoor Recreation, Large Regional Projects
For Projects: $10 000 to $500 000
Deadline: March, 18, 2022.
Link: Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation

No Child Left Inside
Location: Minnesota
Type: Outdoor Education and Recreational Programming
For Projects: $5000 to $25 000
Deadline: February, 24, 2022.
Link: No Child Left Inside

Resilient Communities Fund
Location: Ontario
Type: Community Improvement
For Projects: $5000 to $150 000
Deadline: April 6, 2022, at 5 PM ET
Link: Resilient Communities Fund

Canada Healthy Communities Initiative

Location: Canada

Type: Community Improvement

Deadline: Opens May 14th

Link: Canada Healthy Communities Initiative

California Parks Outdoor Equity Grant

Location: California

Type: School & Community

Deadline: October 8th, 2021

Link: California Parks Outdoor Equity Grant

Friends of Acadia Outdoor Classrooms

Location: Maine

Type: Outdoor Classroom

Deadline: Ongoing

Link: Friends of Acadia Outdoor Classrooms

NC Heritage Advisory Council “Go Outside” Grant

Location: North Carolina

Type: Outdoor Classrooms

Deadline: Ongoing

Link: NC Heritage Advisory Council Go Outside Grant

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund

Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund

Location: United States

Type: Education Pandemic Relief

Deadline: Ongoing

Link: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund

Community Impact/Classroom Boost Grant

Location: Providence, RI

Type: Outdoor Classroom

Deadline: Ongoing

Link: Community Impact/Classroom Boost Grant

Eight Sources for Funding

Property Owner

Your project will increase property value for the owner and for the surrounding homes while reducing teacher absenteeism, bullying, and vandalism as well as enriching the health, intellect, and self-worth of students. This all adds value for them. Will your project fix existing drainage issues, repair surfacing, reduce maintenance costs, or improve curb appeal? Ask about their budget for property improvements. You will need their permission regardless of whether or not they contribute.

Bake Sales, Bottle Drives, Trivia Nights

We know, it’s a lot of work; but this is as much about building buy-in from the community and potential funders as it is about the money. This is about building your credibility across all funding platforms. Why should they invest in your project if you aren’t?

Foundations and NGOs

There are loads of charitable organizations that have recognized the importance of connecting children and communities to the outdoors. From TD Friends of the Environment Foundation to Trillium, to Sobeys and Home Depot, these foundations provide millions in project funding every year. Local community foundations, Rotary, Civitan, Probus, Lions, and Optimists are always looking for projects to support.

In-Kind

Take your project labor list and start knocking on the doors of local contractors. You will be amazed at what they will contribute if you ask. Discounted materials are as good as cash. Call your local Landscape Trades Association; local chapters are always looking for projects to help their community.

Philanthropists

It is better to ask for advice on whom else to go to for support rather than simply asking them for their money. Building a network of support helps with all of your funding channels.

Government

All three levels (Municipal, Provincial and Federal) have something to gain by being involved in your project, and something to lose if they are not. Make sure they understand this. Ask them to match each others’ support. Start with your local councilor and then move up the chain from there.

Volunteers

This is the fun bit. Just make sure there is ample water, snacks, washrooms, Band-Aids, and meaningful work available for everyone. If you have someone with a military background available for build days, which helps as well. Contact OutClass™ outdoor classrooms, patent pending, for a full Community Build Guidebook to help with planning.

Corporations

Large corporations have Sponsorship Directors, Green Marketing strategies, Corporate Social Responsibility Charters (ISO 26000), and Human Resources Team-building budgets. Outdoor classrooms that are completed through a community build model offer an opportunity to engage each of these departments individually or all of them in combination. Team building budgets are often funded more generously than sponsorship budgets at the local level.

Where do we Start?

Gather Your Community

Together for a big meal and decide why you are doing this. What is it about your story that makes your project stand out from any other? How is your community unique? What is the change you are looking to accomplish? What is it that will keep your core team inspired to realize your project regardless of any opposition?

Record Your Story

In a one page brief and a ten page report outlining the need and the solution. Your story will serve as a design brief and the foundation of your fundraising strategy.

Design Your Space

In colour and in 3D. Hire an expert with a proven track record in community-based design facilitation (as opposed to a prescriptive design process). Make sure that the project reflects the natural, cultural and industrial heritage of the site and your community. Create the ultimate dream project; do not water it down before you even begin. Remember that most of us need to be presented with a vision that we can picture ourselves in and be inspired by before we invest.

Make a List

That details all materials, equipment, and labour (both skilled and unskilled) that you will need to complete the project.

Assemble a Steering Committee

You will never get this done alone (unless you are rich or superhuman). Organize your most dedicated community members as your core group, and assign tasks to team leaders. Ideally, your steering committee should consist of 4 to 9 people. Research shows that larger committees do not necessarily make better choices; they simply make them more slowly, while smaller committees fail to achieve buy-in and tend to burn out more quickly with the increased workload.

Post Everything

The website and social media plan will help to keep your campaign on track. It will also help you to engage more grant writers, community organizers and supporters.

Create Challenges and Set Targets

For every funding stream. Often, one family will match another’s contribution, or one business will attempt to beat their competitor’s bid.

Break Ground

In a public ceremony where you acknowledge your major supporters and volunteers. A good rapport with donors, organizations and volunteers will go a long way in fostering lasting relationships should you require to call on them again in the future.

OutClass™ Outdoor Classrooms, Funding Opportunities

New Funding Opportunities

Eight Sources for Funding

Property Owner

Bake Sales, Bottle Drives, Trivia Nights

Foundations and NGOs

In-Kind

Philanthropists

Government

Volunteers

Corporations

Where do we Start?

Gather Your Community

Record Your Story

Design Your Space

Make a List

Assemble a Steering Committee

Post Everything

Create Challenges and Set Targets

Break Ground

A Few Key Partners in Fundraising

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