Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of our most commonly asked questions. Just click on the topic below to see them.

Please note: If you are a previous 2023 Pickleball for the Cure event participant, you will need to re-register and create a new account and Participant Center on this 2024 site.

How do I register to play?
Registering for Pickleball for the Cure is easy! First choose how you want to get involved. You can take our Pickleball Challenge or search our directory to play at a local event. From there you will be offered some simple choices as you are guided through the registration process. If at any time you have questions or need support, please contact us at pickleball@komen.org.

How do I register to host a Pickleball for the Cure event or party?
Registering as a host is easy. See the Hosting section below for more information about the registration process for hosts.

Can I participate with a partner or team?
For the Pickleball Challenge, we encourage you to form a team and challenge your pickleball partner or all of your friends to participate with you. One of you will start the team by registering as the team captain and, as part of that, will choose a name for the team. Once that’s done, others can register to join the team either via a link to the team’s webpage (provided by the team captain) or by searching for the team here. Once the team has formed, members can fundraise individually (collect donations on their personal webpages) or the team can collect donations via the team’s webpage. You can learn more about team fundraising in the Fundraising section of this FAQ.

For local events you’d like to join, forming teams is not possible. Event players must register as individuals. That said, some events may allow individuals to play with a chosen partner. Specific information about the events can be found on the event’s webpage. (Click here to search for an event).

Is there a registration fee?
There is never a fee for the Pickleball Challenge. Instead, all players are encouraged to fundraise as much as they can. We suggest a goal of $250, but the sky’s the limit!

Most events also do not charge a registration fee, but there are some exceptions. Information about event registration fees and fundraising requirements (if any) can be found on the event’s webpage. Search here to find an event (and see the event’s webpage).

Why can’t I find the event I’m looking for?
All events can be found on this page. If you don’t find what you’re looking for the event host may have chosen not to list it. Please contact the event host or venue for specific details on how to register for their event.

Why can’t I find the team that I’m looking for?
If you are doing the Pickleball Challenge and want to join a team, you will need to know the name of that team and then click here to search for that team name. If you are unsure of the name, ask the team captain.

Am I required to fundraise in order to participate in Pickleball for the Cure?
Fundraising is highly encouraged (but not required) for the Pickleball Challenge. Likewise, most events do not require a fundraising minimum (or charge a registration fee) to play, but fundraising is still highly encouraged (and celebrated). Please refer to the team’s webpage for specific information about any registration fees or required fundraising minimums.

The funds raised by our participants supports Komen’s investments in life-saving research, direct patient support services and policy and advocacy efforts to make access to health care easier for all people. Our hope is that everyone who registers (either as a player or host) will also become a fundraiser. Plus, studies show that fundraising can greatly improve your pickleball game.

How much do you think I should (or could) raise?
On average, our typical player raises $250, yet some raise as much as $25K! Keep in mind that every time you ask for donations, you’re raising awareness, and every donation you get will make a difference in our mission to end breast cancer.

Plus, as you start getting donations, you'll earn digital badges on your personal FUN-raising page, and you’ll begin earning rewards when you’ve reached your first $100!

How can I raise (or adjust) my fundraising goal?
Congrats on raising the bar! To increase (or change) your fundraising goal, you first need to login to your personal FUN-raising page. Next, click on Personal Page. Then, click on the edit goal button, enter in the new goal amount then click Save. Done and done!

Can I earn rewards (prizes) for fundraising?
Abso-dinking-lutely! Players and hosts earn great Pickleball for the Cure signature gear through their fundraising efforts. You’ll qualify for your first reward when you reach your first $100 in donations (made to your personal FUN-raising page).

And, as your fundraising level grows, the level of rewards grows with it! Once you complete your Pickleball Challenge or event, you will receive an email message from us inviting you to choose your one reward (one that is at or below the highest level you reached). Once you’ve made your selection, we will mail the reward to you.

Are there suggestions on how to fundraise?
Check out this Quick Start Guide to learn how you can get your first donation in five minutes or less. Also check out this digital library full of tools that make asking for donations (and thanking your donors) a total breeze.

Can I do a Facebook Fundraiser?
The answer is YES! However, in order for your Facebook Fundraising dollars to show up on your Pickleball for the Cure FUN-raising page, you will need to set up your Facebook Fundraiser by logging into your FUN-raising page. This integration allows Facebook to automatically link the funds you raised through your Facebook Fundraiser towards your fundraising goal on your Pickleball for the Cure FUN-raising page. This means that the funds you raised on Facebook will also count toward you earning these fabulous fundraising rewards!

Can we fundraise as a team?
All team members are encouraged to fundraise as much as they can via their personal FUN-raising webpages. Any donations collected by team members on their personal pages will also appear in the fundraising total on the team’s FUN-raising page. Teams can also collect donations directly on the team’s FUN-raising page; however, when you do, it’s important to note that donations made directly to the team page will not be split across the individual team members and will not count towards individual team members fundraising goals (or towards them earning fundraising rewards).

What happens if I can’t get logged into my personal or team FUN-raising page?
If you forgot your password and are having trouble logging in to your FUN-raising page, simply go to the login page and click on reset password. This will prompt you to enter your username and it will allow you to reset it. If you are still having trouble, please reach out to us at pickleball@komen.org.

Where could I host a Pickleball for the Cure event or party?
Your event can take place anywhere you want- in your driveway or on your street; in a local park or unused parking lot; at a community center, tennis center or at a pickleball club. No matter where you are, you will be making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

How can I register my event?
You can register your team here on our website. It’s not necessary to know all the details about your event at the time you register it on our website. Immediately after you’ve registered for the event, a webpage will be set up for your event on our website. You will receive an email containing a link to your Host Playbook, which will guide you through the planning of your event. Once you’ve made your plan, you can login to your team’s webpage and update it with all the details, and then share a link to your event page with everyone you’d like to invite so they can register and start fundraising!

For any events taking place across multiple locations or clubs, or expected to have more than 250 participants, our staff will need to assist with creating the event page. If this applies, please enter your information in the form HERE or e-mail pickleball@komen.org.

If at any time you have questions or need support with hosting, please contact us at pickleball@komen.org.

I’m having trouble logging into my team’s webpage?
If you forgot your password and are having trouble logging in to your team page, simply go to the login page and click on reset password. This will prompt you to enter your username and it will allow you to reset it. If you are still having trouble, please reach out to us at pickleball@komen.org.

When will I receive my Host Playbook?
Once you’ve registered as a host on our website (see above for details), we will send you an email containing a link to your Host Playbook which contains all the information you need to plan and promote a successful Pickleball for the Cure event or party!

When will I receive my Event Kit?
Once at least 10 players have registered for your event (via your event webpage on our website), we will mail you an Event Kit containing LOADS of handy tools and fun decorations that will make your event sparkle! Large events (with more than 50 players) can request additional event kits by emailing us at pickleball@komen.org.

As a host, am I also eligible to earn fundraising rewards?
Absolutely! Every host will get a personal FUN-raising webpage where you can collect donations from your personal network. As soon as you reach at least $100 in donations on your personal FUN-raising page, you’re eligible for a reward! Please note: Donations made to your event’s webpage will not count towards your personal fundraising total (or rewards).

How can I attract corporate partners (donations) for my event?
Your Host Playbook provides LOADS of tips and ideas for how to best engage local companies in your event as cash donors, in-kind donors or both! We also have some special certificates in the Tool Kitchen which you can award to your sponsors at (or after) the event.

Will Komen offset the costs of producing my event/party?
No. Due to insurance and liability reasons, Komen cannot contribute to or offset the costs of producing local events. The good news is that our hosts have been quite clever at asking local businesses and pickleball clubs to donate money and supplies needed to produce a fun and safe event experience. Top tips and ideas for engaging local companies can be found in your Host Playbook.

Can I collect a registration fee at my event?
Most events do not charge a player registration fee because our hosts find it easy to secure a venue, food/drinks and other essentials via local businesses who are happy to donate them. Also, research shows that players tend to fundraise a lot more than the amount they would personally pay for registration fee. Thus, without registration fees, more money is ultimately raised for the cause of ending breast cancer.

That said, if you feel it’s absolutely necessary to use a player registration fee to cover expenses for your event, here are some guidelines and suggestions:

  • Any fee charged to players should be called a player fee and should not be called a donation. It must only be used to cover material costs of your event (venue rental, food/drinks, etc.) which make it possible for players to participate.
  • All remaining proceeds from the player fees should be donated to Komen. Those proceeds can be considered a donation and can be donated via your event’s webpage.
  • The player fee needs to be collected outside of Komen’s provided fundraising platform, as Komen cannot collect these fees on your behalf or reimburse any event expenses from funds raised. On your event site, you can simply include payment instructions to a Venmo/PayPal account or collect the player fees on-site on Event Day.

What happens if I can’t get logged into my personal or team event FUN-raising page?
If you forgot your password and are having trouble logging in to your FUN-raising page, simply go to the login page and click on reset password. This will prompt you to enter your username and it will allow you to reset it. If you are still having trouble, please reach out to us at pickleball@komen.org.

I manage or produce an established pickleball event or tournament and want to learn how I can turn it into a fundraising event with Komen as the beneficiary. Who can I contact to discuss this opportunity?
Fabulous! Please contact us at pickleball@komen.org and we’ll find a time to discuss the opportunity with you.

My company is interested in becoming a corporate sponsor of Pickleball for the Cure. Who can I contact to discuss this opportunity?
Super! Please contact us at pickleball@komen.org and we’ll find a time to discuss the opportunity with you.

I’m with the press and I’m interested in interviewing someone about this program. Who can I contact to discuss this opportunity?
We'd love to talk more about it! You can email us at press@komen.org.

I’m looking to host a large-scale event across multiple locations. Do I need to take any additional steps?
Yes! For any events taking place across multiple locations or clubs, or expected to have more than 250 participants, our staff will need to assist with creating the event page. If this applies, please enter your information in the form HERE or e-mail pickleball@komen.org.