Tournament Sponsors: Types of Businesses that Support Pickleball Fundraisers
Looking for sponsors for your upcoming pickleball event or other tournament fundraiser? You're not alone—and you're in the right place. Whether you're hosting a nonprofit fundraiser, a school or alumni tournament, or a community event, securing the right sponsors can help cover costs, increase visibility, and bring in more dollars. The good news? There are lots of different types of businesses and organizations keen on contributing—especially when it’s an enjoyable community activity that supports a great cause.
Here, we’ve compiled a quick list of the kinds of businesses most likely to say yes to sponsoring your pickleball fundraiser so your committee can get started right away on a target list.
1. Community Banks & Credit Unions
These institutions often have community giving budgets and interest in supporting local events that align with financial wellness, trust, and relationships. Do a little research before reaching out, as most community-focused financial institutions have some parameters around the types of events, causes, or organizations they tend to support.
2. Healthcare Providers & Clinics
Hospitals, chiropractic offices, physical therapists, dentists, dermatologists, and urgent care clinics benefit from visibility in active-lifestyle communities—and often have outreach goals.
3. Fitness Centers & Gyms
Gyms, yoga studios, personal trainers, and wellness centers see your audience as potential members and are eager to get in front of health-conscious locals with active lifestyles, making tournament sponsorship ideal. In-kind options can also be auctioned or raffled, including trial memberships, training sessions, and group classes.
4. Sporting Goods Stores & Equipment Retailers
These businesses love event exposure and might even donate gear, gift cards, or raffle items in addition to sponsorship funds. Don’t overlook second-hand and consignment sporting goods retailers, which sometimes have even more significant give-back goals.
5. Restaurants, Bars, Coffee Shops, & Breweries
These businesses thrive on local loyalty and word-of-mouth, making them great partners for community events. What appeals most is visibility to a local audience, foot traffic opportunities, and positive brand association with a feel-good cause. Offer perks like signage, vendor space, or chances to provide food, drinks, or coupons to players and spectators. They may also be open to in-kind donations like gift cards, raffle items, or post-event specials that help drive business and build long-term community goodwill.
6. Racquet Clubs, Pickleball Facilities & Country Clubs
These venues already cater to active, social, and community-driven members—and sponsoring your event gives them a chance to build brand awareness, attract potential members, and align with a cause that fits their values. Whether they contribute financially or offer courts, venue space, staffing, or promotional support, these clubs gain prestige and visibility by supporting well-organized fundraisers.
7. Real Estate Agents, Mortgage Brokers & Insurance Agents
These types of professional service providers tend to sponsor community events for brand awareness and relationship-building. Plus, local agents often have community sponsorship programs—especially those tied to national brands (State Farm, Farmers, Coldwell Banker, H&R Block). This provides exposure to and face time with families, professionals, and homeowners.
8. Accountants & Wealth Advisors
These professionals are often looking for ways to connect—especially during key times of the year like tax season or year-end. Sponsoring a charity tournament gives them local exposure in a positive, community-focused setting where people are already thinking about their finances, donations, and planning ahead. Many will appreciate brand visibility, but also the chance to offer educational handouts, host a small booth, or provide in-kind services.
9. Car Dealerships, Mechanics & Car Washes
Car dealerships and auto service providers often have marketing budgets for community events—especially those that align with families, active adults, and cause-driven initiatives. Consider offering opportunities to showcase vehicles on-site, distribute service coupons, or offer raffle prizes like oil changes or detailing packages.
10. Salons, Spas, Makeup Artists, & Beauty Studios
Women make up about 40% of regular pickleball players, and perhaps even more of the playing field at fundraisers, making beauty industry professionals an ideal target for sponsorships. They’re looking for events that help them connect with locals in a fun, relaxed setting. Offer them visibility through signage, social media mentions, or inclusion in gift bags. Many are also happy to contribute in-kind items like gift cards, free treatments, or raffle baskets, which increase future appointments.
11. Home Repair Professionals, Remodelers, Installers & Contractors
Whether it’s window replacement, roofing, or general home improvement, service-based businesses thrive on local trust and visibility. These companies often have strong marketing budgets and rely on word-of-mouth and neighborhood credibility to grow their customer base. Sponsoring a tournament gives them the opportunity to connect with local homeowners, highlight their services, and align with a cause that builds goodwill.
12. Photographers, Graphic Designers & Virtual Assistants
Creative and service-based professionals often work with small businesses, nonprofits, and growing organizations—making them well-aligned with your event’s mission and audience. These sponsors value visibility, relationship-building, and referrals, and may offer in-kind services (like event event photography or design work) in exchange for promotion.
13. Hardware Stores, Nurseries & Garden Centers
Sponsoring a tournament fundraiser gives these businesses a chance to connect with homeowners, families, and weekend DIYers who shop local. Plus, they often have flexible marketing budgets. In-kind support might include gift cards, raffle baskets, or event supplies like tables, chairs, and signage.
14. Event Venues, Event Planners, & Service Providers
Venues, caterers, DJs, A/V teams, and rental companies can showcase their work, connect with future clients, and build goodwill by sponsoring or providing in-kind support for tournament fundraisers. Offer recognition as an official event partner and promotion across your website, signage, and social media.
15. Community-Focused Franchises & Chains
Think fitness franchises, grocery stores, convenience stores, and even fast-casual and fast food restaurants. Many have local marketing budgets and appreciate low-cost, high-engagement sponsorships that bring them visibility and foot traffic.
Take the Next Steps
From local favorites to community-minded brands, these are the businesses that understand the value of showing up—and standing out—at events that bring people together. Use this list to create a target ask list, then connect with your planning committee to surface pertinent relationships and connections before asking sponsors to support your event or cause. Be sure to showcase every sponsor’s logo on your tournament’s event website—which helps build credibility and goodwill among sponsors.
Ready to get your event website up and running so you can start engaging sponsors and showcasing their support? RecDay is here to help with a sleek, professional tournament website backed by powerful, all-in-one planning software that makes coordinating an event from start to finish easier than ever. Use the link below to reach out and get started.
