USA Pickleball Serves Accepting “Grow the Game” Grant Applications

USA Pickleball Serves, the charitable arm of USA Pickleball, has opened its Grow the Game grant program which is focused on investing in supporting community organizations and schools nationwide to grow the game.

Grow the Game grant has two rounds of open applications. Round one started on November 14 and closes December 12. Grant recipients will be announced on January 16, 2025. Round two will open July 8 and close August 5 with recipients announced September 9.

“USA Pickleball Serves ‘Grow the Game’ grant was developed to encourage and support community organizations and schools to offer pickleball programs,” said Brenda Puga, USA Pickleball director of community relations. “Encouraging community members and youth to pick up a paddle and benefit from instructional resources and engaging games developed by USA Pickleball is a step forward in our mission to grow the game.”

To be considered for a grant, applicants must be a USA Pickleball member registered at one of the three membership levels. The community organization or school must be located in the United States or its territories with a physical presence in the local giving area. A designated space for play must be a public facility with the application demonstrating a clear need for equipment to begin or maintain a pickleball program.

Schools and organizations may apply for essential equipment bundles that are beginning or maintaining pickleball programs and increasing exposure to the sport. Applicants have the option to apply for one of several equipment bundles, including paddles and balls. The bundles are as follows:

• Dink Bundle: 24 wooden paddles, 100 pickleballs and one portable net
• Drop Bundle: 48 wooden paddles, 100 pickleballs and two portable nets
• Drive Bundle: 72 wooden paddles, 200 pickleballs and three portable nets
• Campus Edition Bundle: 12 paddles, 100 pickleballs and three portable nets (available for colleges and universities)