Grant Program Overview
Youth Program Providers or Official College/University Club members can apply for a USA Pickleball Youth & Collegiate grant for a maximum of $350 per location for the purchase of eligible pickleball equipment.
Grant Eligibility:
- You must be a current USA Pickleball Youth Program Provider or Official College/University Club member 18 years of age or older. If you are not a USA Pickleball Youth Program Provider or Official Club member:
- CLICK HERE for Youth Provider memberships.
- CLICK HERE for Club memberships.
- All public and private schools, youth programs (Physical Education, intramural programs and student clubs) and colleges/universities are eligible to apply for a Youth & Collegiate Grant.
- USA Pickleball Ambassadors can purchase the Youth Program Provider Membership for the teacher, school, or after school program, but the membership MUST be in the name of the teacher or educator that will be using the membership.
- Grants will not be considered if an ambassador submits on behalf of a youth organization/school/program/teacher and the youth organization/school/program/teacher is not a YPP member.
- Your designated school location must be listed in “Places 2 Play” at the time the grant application is submitted.
- You are limited to one grant per location (lifetime).
- A named PE teacher, club leader or Official USAP Ambassador must participate in the program.
- You must have a USA Pickleball Ambassador from your area endorse your program.
- You must agree to the terms and conditions set forth in the USA Pickleball Grant Program.
Expenses that are reimbursable include only the following:
- any items listed on the USA Pickleball Youth Program Provider Equipment Discount Program sheet
- any net(s) purchased from the USA Pickleball Store (except for Douglas products)
- one USA Pickleball Rulebook.
Award consideration will be given to locations with:
- A summary of the program listed with the grant purpose and justification description on the application.
- Your pickleball program describes extracurricular and intramural pickleball play (e.g., student clubs) that are a highlight of the program.
Grant Administrative Details:
- Grants will generally be reviewed for approval on a first-come first-served basis.
- The maximum reimbursement to any one location is $350.
- Grant reimbursements will only be valid for 90 days from the date of the award letter.
Terms and Conditions
By accepting a USA Pickleball Youth & Collegiate Grant, you agree to the terms and conditions set forth below.
- Grant approvals are made on reimbursement basis only. Within ninety (90) days following grant approval, you must send a copy of your receipt(s) to the USA Pickleball Finance Department. The receipt(s) should clearly show the person or organization that paid for the equipment, product(s) purchased, the cost of each product and total amount. The grant number must be clearly identified when submitting receipts for reimbursement. Please identify the mailing address for the reimbursement check if different than the grant approval letter.
- The grant is to be used solely for the project as described in your Grant Application.
- Your pickleball program must adhere to all USA Pickleball rules and standards.
- Your pickleball program must adhere to all federal, state and local health and safety laws, regulations and mandates as well as those rules implemented by individual facilities.
- We recommend that the grant awardee updates the P2P grant location listing a minimum of every twelve months.
- You will encourage all student players in your pickleball program to become familiar with the USA Pickleball organization and website.
- By accepting this grant, you agree that USA Pickleball and its authorized vendors and contractors may use photographs, logos, published/printed information, and any other materials you supply us, without further notice, in our press releases, electronic or printed publications. Note: USA Pickleball will NOT publish any student photos without parental consent.
- The decisions of USA Pickleball on matters involving the Youth & Collegiate Grant Program are final, binding and not appealable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I list the school on the USA Pickleball Places 2 Play website when I do not have a net? You must list the new location with the anticipated start date and startup details. If your new program is dependent on grant approval, please include in your listing’s Comment section: “USA Pickleball Grant applied for—we hope to start offering pickleball at this location soon.”
Schools can state the pickleball location is restricted to students and staff. This is an example of a possible school listing:
“Comment: Facilities are open only to the staff and students of the school. This posting is a promo to the parents in the locality for their kids to try out the fun game of PICKLEBALL.”
USA Pickleball cannot issue an award for any location not listed on Places 2 Play.
Why does a school location need to be listed on Places 2 Play? (P2P) USA Pickleball utilizes P2P as the central location to tabulate player usage information, and players utilize the listing to locate playing locations. Parents and students can search by city on P2P to locate the best available pickleball playing location.
How do I add the new site to USA Pickleball’s Places 2 Play listing? See the Places 2 Play Help Guide.
Can I submit receipts for equipment purchased prior to the grant being awarded? USA Pickleball will honor receipts for reimbursement of equipment purchased up to 90 days prior to the grant being approved. Be aware that not every grant application is approved.
Why is the Youth & Collegiate Grant program limited to the United States & US Territories? Due to budget constraints, the USA Pickleball Board decided that available funds could be more effectively used in the United States.
Are public and private schools eligible for a Youth & Collegiate Grant? All public and private schools, youth programs (Physical Education, intramural programs, student clubs) and colleges/universities are eligible to become a Youth Program Provider member. Only Youth Program Provider and Official College/University Club members are eligible for the grant.
Is a school limited to one grant? Yes. The mission of the grant program is to introduce pickleball into the school system. Once introduced into the school it would be the school’s responsibility to invest in the sport.
Can a school apply for both a Community Grant and a Youth & Collegiate Grant? No, because of USA Pickleball’s limited resources. A Youth & Collegiate Grant and a Community grant are each a grant. The policy is only one grant per location.
How does USA Pickleball expect the pickleball equipment to be used? USA Pickleball expects the equipment to be utilized in unison with the Youth Program Provider or Official Club member resources. However, each organization will need to determine how to best use the equipment to introduce the sport of pickleball to its students.
How do we deal with student privacy issues? School/Collegiate organizations have policies in place regarding taking photos of students and the release of student information. USA Pickleball advocates strict adherence to these policies. USA Pickleball will not post any pictures of youth under 18 without written consent of the parent.
Can I make a tax deductible donation to help grow programs like the Youth & Collegiate Grant Program? Yes. Click HERE to make a donation to USA Pickleball. USAP is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of federal and state tax laws.