Every Child Deserves a Chance to Play

Access to sports and play shouldn’t depend on where you live or how much money you have. The Play Equity Project leads advocacy, coalition-building, and systems change to make sure Kansas City values and funds play as a public health, education, and equity solution.

Why The Play Equity Project Exists

Our work targets the root causes of inequity through advocacy, coalition leadership, and systems change. While our other programs focus on direct service (#Ready2Play) and investing in community partners (GameChanging Grants), The Play Equity Project focuses on changing the system itself

What We're Doing in Kansas City

• Advocate for play as critical to mental health, education, and community safety—not just “extra.”
• Work to shift funding to under-resourced schools and neighborhoods.
• Build systems with schools, parks, healthcare, and city leaders to ensure every child has access.

Key Strategies

• Advocate for policies in schools, cities, and funding organizations.
• Lead coalitions through KCPEC and #Ready2Play to unite partners.
• Change the narrative through data, stories, and community voice.
• Connect Kansas City’s efforts to national leaders like Aspen Institute Project Play.

Why It Matters

If we don’t change the way Kansas City values, funds, and structures play, inequity will persist—no matter how many programs exist. This work tackles the system, not just the symptoms.

How This Complements Other ShareWaves Program

Program	Focus	Impact
#Ready2Play	Direct access to quality play and movement	Helping kids and families play
GameChanging Grants	Financial support for organizations	Building community capacity
The Play Equity Project	Advocacy, policy, systems change	Creating long-term solutions

Join the Movement

Are you a policymaker, funder, school leader, coach, or advocate? Let’s work together to make sure every child has access to play.

Contact Us