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Grant Writing 101

Let’s face it – grant applications can be a real drag. Often, volunteers are using their personal time and grant forms require a TON of information. So, we talked to one of Saskatchewan’s biggest fund administrators about what reviewers are looking for.

by Jesse Green

Read on to find for top tips for a killer grant application. We talked with Tracey Mann, Executive Director at the Community Initiative Fund (CIF) in Saskatchewan. CIF has distributed more than $148 million to more than 400 communities across the province since 1995 using proceeds via the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act.

1. Check & Double Check Eligibility Requirements

“This is the baseline. We encourage people to research and understand who is eligible and who is not. We don’t want to see people spending time and effort to put together an application that is not eligible,” said Mann.

2. Fit

Make sure it’s a good fit and that your plan is a match for what the grant fund is meant to achieve. If it feels like a stretch, spend some time looking at other grants. You will likely find a fund that exactly fits your vision and plan.

3. Grammar Police?

Well… kind of. Do your best to put together a well-written application. But, know that your application is judged on the merit of your idea rather than grammar.

“We appreciate that there are varying levels of expertise in grant writing. And, we understand that these proposals may be someone’s first attempt at writing a grant. So, we try to be aware of this and focus more on what it is they want, and who it will benefit,” said Mann.

4. What is Your Why?

While many playground projects start as a discussion around the coffee table, they need to be more than that before they hit the grant process. Think about why your community needs these resources. What is the problem? How is the grant going to solve that problem?

Do you have a solid, well-thought out plan?

5. Partnering 

“Having your school board or municipality on board doesn’t necessarily lend credibility to the application. But, if your plan relies on a partnership with one of these organizations, then you definitely need to have made contact,” said Mann. Your application should include evidence that you’ve talked to those groups and they support a partnership.

Secondly, don’t duplicate. If a similar organization is offering a similar solution, consider partnering and leveraging that relationship into a strong application.

6. Don’t Give Up!

Funds are limited and requests are many, so don’t let a rejection discourage you from trying again. Check out our Grants page for current funding opportunities in Saskatchewan.

New playgrounds, spray parks and sports facilities mean so much more than metal and concrete. They mean fun, they mean health and they mean community. We hope that some of these tips will help your next project come to life.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1 Stop Playgrounds proudly serves communities across all of Saskatchewan, including cities, towns, rural municipalities, and First Nations communities. Our office is located in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, which allows us to efficiently support projects throughout Northern, Central, and Southern Saskatchewan. We regularly deliver playgrounds, spray parks, park furnishings, and sport systems in both large centres and remote locations. Being locally based means, we understand Saskatchewan soil conditions, climate challenges, permitting requirements, and construction timelines, allowing us to deliver recreation projects that are built to perform long term.

We specialize in turnkey recreation projects, managing everything from early planning through to final installation. Our core services include commercial playgrounds, spray parks and splash pads, park furnishings, and sport systems. Park furnishings include benches, picnic tables, shelters, shade structures, bike racks, and waste and recycling systems. Our sport systems range from arena products and sport courts to outdoor fitness equipment and multi-use recreation spaces. We work with municipalities, schools, First Nations, and community organizations to create functional, inclusive recreation areas that align with budgets and long-term maintenance needs.

Yes. All playground, spray park, and sport system installations are completed by our in-house installation crews. We do not subcontract installation work. This allows us to maintain consistent quality, accurate scheduling, and direct accountability on every project. Our turnkey, in-house approach is especially important in Saskatchewan, where short construction seasons and weather conditions require efficient, well-coordinated execution.

Safety is integrated into every stage of our process. All playground and spray park projects are designed and installed to meet or exceed Canadian safety standards, including CSA guidelines. Our experienced crews follow strict installation procedures, proper surfacing practices, and manufacturer specifications to ensure safe, durable play environments suitable for public use in Saskatchewan communities.

Yes. We prioritize Canadian-made playground equipment and recreation products.  Our playgrounds, spray parks and sports systems are all Canadian-made and designed for Canadian climates.  This means CSA compliance and dependable parts, warranty and support. Our playgrounds, spray parks, park furnishings, and sport systems deliver lasting value for Saskatchewan communities.

When choosing commercial playground equipment, consider safety standards, durability, age-appropriate design, and how the structure fits your space. It’s also important to work with a supplier that offers installation and long-term support.

Did you know…

1 Stop Playgrounds has been delivering recreation solutions to Saskatchewan communities since 2010.

We are based in Humboldt, Saskatchewan and have hundreds of projects, from Coronach in the south to Fond Du Lac in the North. We help build strong communities by providing Canadian-made playground equipment, spray park equipment, and sports and arena systems. 

We build more than playgrounds and spray parks; we help Saskatchewan communities build legacies.  We have many projects, from small playground structures to turnkey recreational use areas that include gazebos, benches, tables, an accessible playground area, a spray park, and landscaping.

 All of our project are completed by our in-house staff who have years of experience building playgrounds, spray parks and other recreational amenities such as basketball, tennis and pickleball courts as well as skate parks and outdoor rinks. 

Safety is at the heart of what we do.  Our playground designs are made for all ages/levels of development, and we can accommodate users from toddlers to aging adults.  Our playground equipment and spray park equipment can stand up to harsh conditions; they are designed to be vandal-resistant.  Our commercial playground is put through third-party testing to ensure compliance.

Our installing supervisors are CPSI Certified Inspectors, certified to inspect playgrounds and playground equipment for compliance with the CSA playground standard.

 

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