Are you looking to create a fitness space that combines the benefits of outdoor exercise with the structure of a traditional gym? Sourcing funds for an outdoor gym can be a challenging task, but with the rising interest in outdoor fitness facilities, it’s an effort that can achieve great rewards.
We’ll explore different strategies and sources for funding an outdoor gym, from grants to sponsorships. Whether you’re a community organisation or a school, finding the right funding solution is the first step toward brining your outdoor gym vision to life.
The benefits of outdoor fitness spaces
Outdoor gyms offer a blend of mental and physical health benefits, making them a great addition to any community. Unlike traditional indoor gyms, these open-air facilities allow people to exercise while soaking up natural sunlight and fresh air, boosting mood and energy levels. This change of scenery can also help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Once built, outdoor fitness areas are free to use, making them accessible to all, regardless of financial status. This inclusivity helps to strengthen communities as people from diverse backgrounds come together to work on common health goals.
How much funding does an outdoor gym need?
The amount of funding needed for an outdoor gym can vary depending on factors such as the size of the project, the types of equipment to be installed, and the location. It's important to carry out thorough research and cost analysis to determine the exact funding requirements.
With a detailed plan in hand, the next step is to determine the funding requirements. Break down the total budget into categories to understand where funds are needed most. Decide whether to implement the project in phases or all at once, depending on the financial support you can secure. This will help you set realistic fundraising goals and timelines.
Exploring potential funding sources
To bring your outdoor gym to life, you’ll need to explore various funding sources.
Sport England Return to Play: Active Together
To help sports clubs and physical activity organisations to move forward with projects and running costs. The focus aims to cushion the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and encourage return to play in the long term.
You can apply if you are a town or parish council, community sport, or physical activity organisation and are experiencing short term financial hardship or threat to operations.
Suez Communities Trust
Their aim is to support community and environmental improvement projects through the Landfill Communities Fund and Scottish Landfill Communities Fund. Programmes are designed to improve a broad range of publicly accessible amenities which benefit a wide cross section of the community.
You can apply if you’re a not-for-profit organisation, such as community groups, parish councils, charities, community interest companies, sports clubs, community associations, local authorities and voluntary organisations.
Tesco Community Grants
Their aim is to support projects that bring benefit to their communities, from improving outdoor spaces to buying new equipment.
You can apply if you’re a voluntary or community organisation (including registered charities/ companies), school, health body (e.g. Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NHS hospital trust, foundation trust), parish and town council, local authority or social housing provider.
Sport England Movement Fund
The Movement Fund offers crowdfunding pledges, grants and resources to improve physical activity opportunities for the people and communities who need it the most. Their focus is to support projects that match their goal of getting more people active, reducing the number of inactive people and tackling inequalities.
You can apply if you’re a formally constituted not-for-profit organisation types, including sports clubs, charities, local authorities, schools and Community Benefit Societies.
Click here to see our full Funding Guide so you can secure the perfect opportunity to install a new outdoor gym.
Applying for grants and sponsorships
Grant applications and sponsorship proposals are key components of your fundraising strategy. When writing a compelling grant proposal, you need to outline the community benefits, project details, budget and a create a clear plan for implementation. Remember to highlight the mutual benefits of collaboration to the sponsor, such as increased visibility and community goodwill.
Ten tips for successful funding applications
- Know the funder's goals: Research what the funder cares about and align your project with their interests.
- Set clear objectives: Define specific and measurable goals for your outdoor gym project.
- Show the need: Use data to demonstrate why your community needs an outdoor fitness area, such as surveys demonstrating demand for more outdoor exercise options.
- Describe the project: Clearly explain what you plan to build, including features and layout. Take a look at our packages for inspiration.
- Detail the budget: Provide a clear and realistic budget, showing how funds will be used. For more information or guidance on how to best use your budget, call one of our experts on 01782 571719.
- Plan for sustainability: Explain how you will maintain the fitness area long-term, such as installing litter bins to keep the area free from litter.
- Engage the community: Highlight support from community members and stakeholders for the new outdoor gym within your bid.
- Make it easy to read: Write clearly and use visuals such as graphs and pie charts illustrate your points.
- Include an evaluation plan: Describe how you will measure the project's success and how this will be reported and submitted.
- Review and revise: Proofread for spelling and grammar errors and seek feedback to improve your proposal.
For more in-depth guidance about writing a compelling grant proposal, read our blog ‘How to write a winning funding bid’ here. Or get in touch with one of our experts for assistance and guidance with the application process.
Celebrating success with Sunshine Gym
With the increasing focus on health and fitness, there is a growing need for outdoor exercise spaces that are easy to access. An outdoor gym is a valuable investment in the health and well-being of the public, outweighing the challenges of getting the money together.
And once you’ve secured funding and installed your new Sunshine Gym equipment, why not celebrate the successful completion of your outdoor gym project with a grand opening event!