Play It Forward
Grant
The USA Pickleball Serves Play it Forward Grant will award funds to community organizations and/ or schools that are installing or converting pickleball courts to increase court access and development of the sport.
The USA Pickleball Serves Grant Program is invested in supporting community organizations and schools to grow the game of pickleball.
The Play it Forward Grant champions community organizations invested in creating more places to play in underserved and heavily populated player communities. USA Pickleball Serves is committed to increasing court access and promoting the sport of pickleball. Two grants will be offered annually with a giving fund of $50,000 each.
Application Dates
- Opens: Tuesday, April 15, 2025
- Closes: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
- Announcement: Friday, August 8, 2025
Play It Forward Grant Giving Guidelines
- USA Pickleball Serves Grant Committee is responsible for reviewing each application and verifying all eligibility requirements are met.
- Must be for a specific pickleball location in the United States or its territories.
- You must agree to the terms and conditions set forth in the USA Pickleball Grant Program.
- The organization’s program is aligned with one of USA Pickleball Serves core commitments – court enhancements, youth programming and inclusive play.
- The organization has a physical office or presence in the local giving area.
- The application demonstrates a clear funding need for a pickleball program.
Pre-qualifying Requirements
- The pickleball court(s) must be installed in a public facility.
- The pickleball court(s) must be permanent, dedicated court(s) for the sport of pickleball.
- The pickleball court(s) must be installed and open for play within 12 months of receiving funds.
- A project lead must work with a local USA Pickleball Ambassador or USA Pickleball Serves Committee Member for support and to provide updates.
- The pickleball court(s) must have permanent branding recognition for USA Pickleball Serves and host an unveiling event to include a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
USA Pickleball Serves Play it Forward Grant Scoring Rubric
| CRITERIA | POINT SCALE (low to high) |
|---|---|
| Applicant communicates a streamlined plan and need for funding to complete pickleball court(s) project. | 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 |
| Applicant provides clear and current funding information for project and has evidence to show how USAP’s support would directly contribute to the completion of the project in the required timeframe. | 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 |
| Applicant exhibits additional resources are available to assist with the planned pickleball court(s) project. | 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 |
| Applicant clearly demonstrates a commitment to growing the game of pickleball with a detailed pickleball programming plan. | 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 |
| Applicant showcases how pickleball court(s) will support their community and provide a lasting, positive impact. | 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 |
| Applicant's programming aligns with one or more of the USA Pickleball Serves’ core commitments – court enhancements, educational youth programming, inclusive play. | 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 |
If you want to preview the grant application questions, click here to download a PDF of the Grant Application Questions.