Big news, Tucson pickleball family: Tucson Area Pickleball is now officially recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity, effective October 9, 2026.

This has been in the works for months, and it’s a huge step forward for our organization — and for everyone who’s helped us grow pickleball in Tucson along the way.

What this means for you

• Your donations are now tax-deductible. Any gift you make to TAP — whether it’s a one-time donation or a contribution to our court capital campaign — can now be claimed as a charitable deduction on your taxes.
• Sponsorships count too. Local businesses supporting TAP can now receive the same tax benefits as they would giving to any established nonprofit.
• It strengthens our case for grants and partnerships. Many foundations and granting organizations only fund registered 501(c)(3) charities, which opens new doors for funding future projects like the Udall Park court expansion.
• Nothing changes day to day. Memberships, events, and the way we operate stay exactly the same — this is a change in our tax status, not our mission.

We want to thank everyone who supported TAP through this transition, especially our board and the volunteers who pushed this conversion across the finish line. This milestone puts us in a much stronger position to keep expanding access to pickleball across Tucson.Ready to support the next chapter?