Turn your outdoor learning spaces into sun-safe areas for play with the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) Shade Structure Grant Program. This funding opportunity will help you take sun safety one step further by allowing you to purchase permanent shade structures for your playground, park, and other outdoor areas where children learn and play.
Eligible applicants could receive up to $8,000 to purchase a permanent shade structure for their schools, child care centers, parks, and non-profit organizations.
No matter how much grant funding you receive for sun safety, you may have questions about how to get the most out of this opportunity. Are you eligible for the Shade Structure Grant Program? How do you apply for this funding opportunity? When will you receive funding, and how long will you have to spend it?
As a leader in early childhood education for the last 50 years, Kaplan understands the importance of materials and equipment that support the development of young children and keep them safe. This article will highlight the American Academy of Dermatology’s Shade Structure Grant Program and how to use this monetary award to protect your outdoor learning environments from the sun’s harsh rays.
What Is the AAD Shade Structure Grant Program?
Since launching in 1999, the American Academy of Dermatology’s Shade Structure Grant Program has awarded over 482 grants, providing shade for millions of individuals daily. The 2025 grant opportunity is open to public schools, city parks, child care centers, and non-profit organizations that currently have a sun-safety/skin cancer awareness program in place. A sun-safety/skin cancer awareness program can include use of the AAD’s Sun-Safety Toolkit, their Good Skin Knowledge Curriculum, or any other resources that deliver sun safety education to children and families in your community.
Grantees can expect up to $8,000 in funding to purchase and install permanent shade structures for outdoor learning and play environments.
Who is eligible for the AAD Shade Structure Grant Program?
To apply for and receive the AAD Shade Structure Grant Program, you must:
- Operate as a non-profit organization, school, child care center, or city park
- Primarily provide services for children under the age of 18
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to sun-safety/skin cancer awareness
- Have a sun safety/skin cancer awareness program in place that has been active for at least one year before you submit your application
- Be recommended by an AAD member dermatologist (you can find an AAD member dermatologist by using this tool)
What types of shade structures meet the requirements of the AAD Shade Structure Grant Program?
If you receive this award, you must purchase and install shade structures with roofs made of shade cloth, metal, or wood that blocks more than 90% of harmful ultraviolet radiation cast by the sun.
For cloth/textile roof structures:
- Include documentation about the percentage of ultraviolet radiation the fabric blocks
- The fabric must block at least 94% of ultraviolet radiation, preferably 96.7%
For hard-top roof structures:
- Do not require documentation about ultraviolet radiation blockage because they block 100% of direct ultraviolet radiation
You may not use this award to purchase slat-roof structures, gazebos, trellis roofs meant for future plant coverage, shade trees, or small cap-roof structures for pieces of playground equipment. If you need help selecting a shade structure that meets the AAD’s criteria and will fit your outdoor location, please reach out to a Kaplan Sales Representative. They will gladly share options that meet the eligibility requirements for this grant opportunity.
How do I apply for the AAD Shade Structure Grant Program?
Applications for the 2025 Shade Structure Grant Program are open from October 1, 2024, until December 15, 2024. To apply for this grant opportunity, follow these steps:
- Reach out to an AAD member dermatologist to secure a letter of recommendation
- Submit your application as well as the letter of recommendation from an AAD member dermatologist using the AAD’s online portal
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to sun safety within your organization
To be eligible for this funding opportunity, your program must have had a sun safety/skin cancer awareness program in place for at least one year prior to your application. Visit the American Academy of Dermatologists website for sun safety resources and access to their Good Skin Knowledge curriculum.
When will I receive grant funding, and how long will I have to spend it?
The American Academy of Dermatology will release grant funds in March 2025. To receive their grant check, recipients must submit a W9 for the application organization and a shade project vendor invoice within 45 days of award notification.
You have until November 30, 2025, to use this grant to purchase and install your shade structure. Grant winners who cannot supply the above paperwork within 45 days of receiving the award will forfeit their grant to a runner-up applicant.
Where can I shop for eligible sunshades?
With the American Academy of Dermatology’s Shade Structure Grant Program now available, it is time to begin shopping for eligible sunshades and creating a plan for installation. Once you receive your grant funds, you will only have a few months to complete your project before the program deadline.
Kaplan’s team of sales representatives, specializing in playground equipment and sunshades, will be happy to assist you with choosing a shade to fit your space and scheduling your installation once you have grant funding in hand. To connect with your local Kaplan Representative, visit our website.
