Written by KABOOM! CEO
Lysa Ratliff
When people and institutions give to social causes, it’s a form of investing in our shared future and building something meaningful for generations to come. These investments in the essentials for a healthy life – education, healthcare, housing, nutrition, and public spaces – shapes the kind of world we want our children to inherit.
After decades as a fundraiser, I’ve seen a lot of versions of philanthropy. For a long time, the work often revolved around fitting into a funder’s priorities – packaging programs and defining impact in ways that aligned with someone else’s goals. Over time, we’ve thankfully seen more focus on letting organizations rooted in community lead the way. More funders are now asking, “How can we help you do what you do best?”
Philanthropists like MacKenzie Scott have accelerated this shift. Her approach – leading with trust, giving big, and removing barriers – has shown the field what’s possible when we focus on outcomes and give the control to those closest to the problem. The result is bigger, bolder visions that get us closer to sustained impact rooted in solutions that support the needs and desires of community.
We’ve seen a lot of progress, yet there’s so much more to do. We have built the partnerships and capabilities to demonstrate how our mission can be achieved in our lifetime. All that is left is for us to come together and secure the resources to move at the speed our kids need for them to experience all of the benefits of having amazing places to play.
That’s why we’re launching the Unlocking Possibilities Fund – to ensure that we finish what we start in every community so kids get the playspaces of their dreams.
The Unlocking Possibilities Fund is designed to help KABOOM! break down barriers that would otherwise prevent us from building a playspace or limit the design of that space. It helps us support our community partners by keeping pace with evolving community needs and new opportunities, ensuring that every project is the best it can be for the kids who will play there for years to come.
This fund allows us to:
- Enhance playground designs with features that support both kids and the environment.
- Be more responsive to community desires and move quicker on new opportunities.
- Engage donors including corporations, foundations, and individuals to contribute at various giving levels.
Visit our Unlocking Possibilities Fund page to learn more and donate. Every contribution to this fund is an investment in a future where every kid has the chance to enjoy the happiest and healthiest childhood possible, fully able to reach their unlimited potential.
Kids’ childhoods are happening now, and they can’t wait.
