Do You Want to Be a Baller?
At the Newport Beach Tennis & Pickleball Club, the Baller Fund is built around one idea — give back to the Orange County community through play, partnership, and direct support to local nonprofits. This Joy of Giving episode documents a recent meeting and introduces two new Baller Fund members.
How the Baller Fund Works
- Donate — Ballers contribute directly to the fund, which distributes to vetted Orange County nonprofits - Play — community pickleball events double as fundraisers, with proceeds flowing to selected causes - Support fundraisers — Ballers show up for the events that move the needle for local nonprofits - Word-of-mouth growth — every Baller becomes an ambassador, inviting the next member into the fund
Why It Works
The Baller Fund avoids the friction most charitable giving carries — overhead, distance from impact, anonymity. Every member knows who their dollars helped because they meet the nonprofits in person, often on the court. Pickleball becomes the connective tissue.
How to Join
If you want to donate or join the Newport Beach group, email val@investorsphilanthropic.org or comment on the episode. Membership is open to anyone serious about giving back through the Orange County community.
Watch the full episode to meet the new Baller Fund members and see the model in action.
