To channel funding, equipment, and volunteers to pickleball visionaries who are bringing the unique benefits of the sport to under-championed communities around the world.
A future where the sport of pickleball is a global force for good.
In 2022, pickleball was booming across the country. Two media headlines caught our attention: Can Pickleball Save America? and Can Pickleball Save Democracy?
As pickleball enthusiasts who simply enjoyed playing, we had an Aha! moment: How can we help make the sport we grew to love be a gamechanger for those who can benefit the most — on the court and in life?
That’s when the idea for Pickleball for Good was born.
By offering a dedicated grants program and secure online crowdfunding platform, we have a winning strategy to mobilize resources so those waiting on the sidelines can now have full access to social, emotional, physical, and economic benefits of the sport.
Our growing community of Pickleball for Good GameChangers is making it possible for pickleball to truly change the world—one grantee and crowdfunding partner at a time.
Now that’s a big dill…JOIN US TODAY!
Pickleball is known as a sport that is: easy to learn, social, and adaptable for those facing physical, mental, age-related, or economic barriers.
Research studies are validating the special ways pickleball enhances wellbeing and quality of life for all:
While an estimated 50 million people in the U.S. tried the sport in 2024, there are millions more around the world who lack access.
Here are just a few reasons why:
Through our Global Pickleball Grants Program, Picklers Give platform, and Volunteer Network, we aim to change this, for good.
Susan (aka Dinkerbell) envisioned the potential for Pickleball for Good by combining three of her passions: promoting philanthropy, playing pickleball, and protecting our shared planet. Her professional nonprofit development career spans almost four decades. Since 2018, Susan has served as Philanthropic Partnerships Officer with Global Greengrants Fund, a leading international grassroots environmental justice funder.
She is a board member of Earth Gives, serves on Global Pickleball Federation’s Community Development Committee, and is a member of the Association for Fundraising Professionals. When not on a court, Susan adores spending time in and around Lafayette, Colorado with her furry best friend, Ruben Valentino, a Bichapoo puppy mill rescue.
Dr. Lovell is a CEO, author, and turnaround leader who has proven successes in creating, inspiring, and leading innovative strategies allowing individuals and organizations to successfully adapt, grow, and thrive. She has held leadership roles at public and private universities, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and brings 30+ years of executive leadership.
Currently, Dr. Lovell is CEO and President of Lovell For Success providing executive coaching and independent consulting on leadership, strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, and public policy. She is also a Level 1 Certified Instructor through the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA).
Kim is the Co-Founder of Empower Pickleball and a passionate advocate for using sport to build inclusive, empowered communities. With a background in marketing, partnerships, and social impact, she brings over two decades of experience helping brands grow with purpose.
Through Pickleball for Good, Kim is dedicated to creating opportunities that connect people, spark joy, and make a difference—on and off the court.
Kyle’s career has centered on elevating community voices and making complex projects accessible through effective communications and storytelling. At the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, he helps communities advance their energy goals by translating technical projects into clear, relatable messages that build understanding and support. Previously, he led public engagement for major transportation and infrastructure projects across Chicago, including in the South and West Sides, ensuring historically underrepresented communities were informed and empowered in shaping local investments.
An outdoor enthusiast, Kyle spends his free time backpacking, camping, and photographing nature. He also got into pickleball a couple of years ago and sees the sport as a way for communities to connect, participate, and strengthen relationships—an ethos that mirrors his professional commitment to engagement and access.
Dan’s career has spanned continents and disciplines—from filming dragons on remote islands for Discovery Channel at 22, to two decades in Bali as a National Geographic–published photographer documenting disappearing cultures and wildlife. He later built creative agencies, restaurants, and brands, including helping grow Vital Farms from $5M to $150M as Brand Director.
Now based in Charlotte, NC, Dan has led award-winning creative work across industries while channeling his enduring belief that sport can be transformative, particularly for marginalized or impoverished communities. A lifelong athlete and passionate advocate for access, he sees games like pickleball not just as recreation but as powerful tools for connection, resilience, and opportunity.
Mark is a technology executive, entrepreneur, and nonprofit leader with a passion for helping people and companies grow. He currently advises startups, helps people advance their careers, and recently fulfilled a state grant to build pipelines from education to business for job creation.
Mark served as CTO for Helping Habit, providing nonprofits with a free platform for donations and volunteerism. A certified pickleball coach and lifelong learner, he brings energy, candor, and a results-driven mindset to advancing Pickleball for Good’s mission.
A passionate advocate for community and sustainability, Shachi is eager to bring her enthusiasm and professional insight to the Pickleball for Good board. With a background in technology and life sciences consulting, Shachi offers a unique blend of strategic thinking and operational excellence. For the past two years, she has played pickleball and witnessed firsthand its powerful ability to build community and bring people together.
This personal experience, coupled with a dedication to social impact and sustainability, perfectly aligns with the mission of Pickleball for Good. Shachi is committed to leveraging her skills to support the organization’s growth and maximize its positive influe
Kevin is a passionate pickleball player who has spent his career creating and directing community programs that inspire environmental and social change. Backed by advanced degrees and decades of experience fostering partnerships across all sectors of the community, he is thrilled to be part of the Pickleball for Good movement to help bring the sport of pickleball to those who lack access and to be an inspiration for others to be more environmentally conscious both on and off the court. With a lifetime behind the lens, you can find him traveling the world to bring people’s love, joy and good work into creative focus.
Gus is our legal counsel guiding us through the maze of regulations and contracts overseeing our charitable activities. He has served exempt organizations for over 25 years as both in-house and outside counsel, including those with international activities, and assisted both privately held and nonprofit/tax-exempt startups.
Additionally, his practice specializes in intellectual property asset protection, commercial transactions, entity structure and financing. In addition to his JD degree, Gus holds a Master of Laws in international contracts.
As our consultant extraordinaire, Josh brings more than a decade of experience in web design, digital strategy, and technology leadership. As the founder and CEO of Thrive Engine, a Denver-based web design and marketing agency, Josh has helped nonprofits, startups, and established organizations build secure, accessible, and mission-driven online platforms.
Passionate about both innovation and impact, Josh combines his technical expertise with a deep commitment to service. Beyond his professional work, he is an avid supporter of community development initiatives in Colorado and enjoys contributing his skills to causes that create lasting change.
A serve in pickleball begins every point.
Likewise, our starting point is reflected in these core values.
We prioritize long-term social, economic, and environmental impact.
We aim high and champion every effort to grow, learn, and lead.
We value every player, every story, every community.
We champion visionaries who build inclusive, life-changing programs.
Everyone who has a desire to play should have the opportunity to benefit.
A Pickleball for Good GameChanger is a creator of possibility. You don’t just play the game, you change it.
