Community Partners are organizations interested in providing safe places for children to play. We work with a myriad of types of organizations, including non-profits, schools, parks, municipalities, neighborhood associations, and other youth-serving organizations. Each Community Partner for KaBOOM! projects must have access to a good location for a playground and bring the energy and enthusiasm needed to plan, fundraise, and actually build the playground.

Community Partner Selection Criteria for LEAD Projects

• Socio-economic profile of the neighborhood (KaBOOM! works predominantly in low-income communities);
• Need for a playground;
• Number of children served (or potential impact on children served if smaller population, i.e. a group home for abused children may only serve 20 children but the need may be greater);
• A site that will work for a playground (at least a 50-foot by 50-foot space, larger if possible) and ownership and/or long-term lease of the land;
• Ability of Community Partner to make a significant financial contribution (it ensures investment and optimizes the development that can happen with the community if they are contributing to the project);
• Ability of the Community Partner to prep the site for the build (grading if necessary, digging holes, removing already-existing structures, etc.);
• Commitment of the Community Partner to provide at least half of the volunteers on Build Day and to provide a dozen volunteers two days prior the Build Day on the first day of prep;
• Ability of the Community Partner to provide food and beverages to the volunteers throughout the build day (breakfast, lunch, water, snacks, etc.) and preparation days, provide bathrooms (depending on site amenities and number of volunteers) and music, helping to turn the Build Day into a celebratory event;
• Willingness and ability of the Community Partner to work closely with KaBOOM! and the Funding Partner in the planning of the one-day build event (average planning of 10 hours per week spread across the members of the playground planning committee); and,
• Ability of the Community Partner to maintain, supervise and insure the playground after it is built.

The first step to becoming a KaBOOM! Community Partner is to complete a Playspace Profile. To receive a profile, please contact Alejandro Cardemil (acardemil@kaboom.org), 202-464-6066.