Shade Structure Grants

On hot days, shade provides an oasis on the playground. Grants applied to shade structures help schools and other organizations build playground improvements aimed at making children's lives longer and healthier. It is important to learn the importance of protection from the sun when young, according to dermatologists, because childhood sunburns are the ones most responsible for adult skin cancers.

Shade Structure Grants

• Shade structure grants are available nationwide through the American Academy of Dermatology's (AAD) Shade Structure Program. In 2010, AAD made grants of $8,000 each to 37 schools and children's organizations to construct shade shelters. The program began with two grant recipients in 2002.

  The Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery awards shade structures to elementary schools based on students' winning entries in an essay contest about the importance of sun safety.

  American Academy of Dermatology

  P.O. Box 4014

  Schaumburg, IL 60168

  866-503-7546

  aad.org

  Florida Society of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery

  11891 Magnolia Falls Drive

  Jacksonville, FL 32258

  904-880-0023

  fsdds.org

KaBOOM Playspace Grants

• KaBOOM, a national non-profit organization "dedicated to saving play for America's children," offers advice and sometimes administers grants for building community playgrounds. Although it is not a grant-making foundation or a fundraising organization, KaBOOM provides notices about playground grants and is a conduit for funding from members of its Community Partner program.

  KaBOOM!

  4455 Connecticut Ave. NW

  Suite B100

  Washington, D.C. 20008

  202-659-0215

  kaboom.org

Home Improvement Company Grants

• Through its foundation, Home Depot provides grants that can be used for playground work. There are three funding cycles a year through its Building Healthy Communities Grant Program. A recipient project (which must involve community volunteers) receives a Home Depot gift card for up to $2,500 in tools and materials.

  The foundation of another home improvement chain, Lowes, provides grants of up to $5,000 twice a year to public schools and public school teachers through its Toolbox for Education program. These include grants to build and improve playgrounds.

  The Home Depot Foundation

  2455 Paces Ferry Road, C-17

  Atlanta, GA 30339

  770-384-3889

  homedepotfoundation.org

  Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation

  1605 Curtis Bridge Road

  Wilkesboro, NC 28697

  lowes.com