The Public Policy and Advocacy group works with lawmakers and leaders at the federal, state, and local levels of government to mobilize their support for critical legislation and policies that serve to advance playspace equity.
We work in collaboration with other NGOs, grassroots organizations, and coalitions to secure public commitments to fund playspaces for kids that need these spaces most. This means making sure that lawmakers, at every level of government, understand the importance of playspaces perform in the areas of advancing better health outcomes for children and building vibrant neighborhoods for their constituents. We accomplish this goal through effective advocacy strategies like sharing our mission and stories of impact, publicizing our achievements, providing resources to policymakers, and mobilizing the communities we work alongside. Our advocacy efforts range from the nation’s Capitol, to statehouses to city halls. In DC, we believe it is vital that lawmakers hear from a diverse group of stakeholders on the importance of racial equity, access to the outdoors, and promoting and protecting the health and wellness of children. While at the state and local levels, we push to see policy translated in the areas of government that impact people the most, which means better quality playspaces, greater access to green spaces, and more attention paid to the social determinants of health that negatively impact BIPOC communities.
Playgrounds are a Bipartisan Issue
Have you ever wondered how elections impact our work to end playspace inequity? Our Policy, Advocacy, and Impact team wrote about what changes are expected after the recent midterm elections.
White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
KABOOM! CEO Lysa Ratliff facilitating a panel discussion at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The panel discussed supporting physical activity for kids through providing greater access and the power of play.
Listening Session in Baltimore
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises joined KABOOM! at Park Heights Academy to hear from kids and discuss the important role playspaces have in supporting the mental health of children. Read
IIJA Bill Signing
NIIAG cochairs, KABOOM! CEO, Lysa Ratliff and Independent Sector CEO, Daniel J. Cardinelli, attended the White House signing of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a victory for nonprofits and communities across the country.
Every child should have high-quality places to play, learn, and thrive. High-quality playgrounds afford children safe and engaging ways to play. Every child, regardless of race, should be able to reach one easily.
Numerous studies show the physical and mental health benefits of play and physical activity, which is why the government needs to invest more in the health of the next generation.
Nonprofits are on the front line of delivering vital social, human, and financial services to America’s most vulnerable residents and should be strongly supported by the government.
Open spaces where people can gather, learn, and play are critical to a community’s quality of life but also to sustaining our democracy and the free exchange of ideas.
NIIAG
Co-founded by KABOOM! and Independent Sector, the Nonprofit Infrastructure Investment Advocacy Group (NIIAG) entered its second year by helping our diverse group of leaders from across the charitable nonprofit sector to advocate for the essential federal investments needed to rebuild the nation in the wake of the pandemic and its subsequent economic fallout which has disproportionally impacted people of color. The coalition, 70 organizations strong, notched significant victories last year in the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Percent for Place Coalition
KABOOM! is one of over two-dozen nationally and locally-oriented organizations participating in this coalition that advocates for additional federal funding and policies that will ensure an equitable amount of public space is reserved for civic participation and engagement for the purposes of play, learning, entertainment, and exploration.