First, there was cornhole at the TPG Throwdown. And now… there will be pickleball at the Paddle Palooza.
That’s right, friends, family, and colleagues! On Wednesday, June 12, the TPG Foundation will host its first fundraising pickleball tournament, called Paddle Palooza: Pickleball for a Purpose, at our Southport offices outside Seattle, WA. Modeled after our annual TPG Throwdown: Cornhole for a Cause, a dynamic tournament now in its third year, the Paddle Palooza will be the second major event in support of TPG’s Give30 goal to give back $30 million in time and donations to our communities by 2030.
Our 2024 Beneficiaries
We are so pleased to recognize and celebrate these four non-profits that were selected as event beneficiaries:
TPG Throwdown: Cornhole for a Cause (Portland area)
CASA for Children provides a voice for abused and neglected children within the court system. Their dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to ensure these children find safe, permanent homes.
Kinship House focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of children in foster care. Their comprehensive approach addresses the unique needs of each child, helping them heal and thrive despite the challenges they may have faced.
Paddle Palooza: Pickleball with a Purpose (Seattle area)
AFK Youth Mentoring is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children who have disabilities and special needs and the high school athletes who mentor them. AFK believes that modeling acceptance, inclusion, and respect for all individuals transforms and strengthens our communities.
Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest is on a mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Through various educational programs, they equip young girls with the skills and confidence needed to navigate challenges and succeed in life.
“We are so excited to bring a fundraising event to our Southport location, not only to promote awareness for our beneficiaries but to show the community that The Partners Group has a goal to become a major philanthropic contributor in the greater Seattle region,” says event organizer and TPG Foundation Executive Director Emily-Rose Galati. “We had many, many wonderful organizations apply to be beneficiaries. All proceeds from the 2024 Paddle Palooza will be given to these two selected non-profits who are helping to support the next generation of Washingtonians. Our goal this first year is to raise $50,000, which would be split evenly between the two groups.”
So, What is Pickleball?
According to USA Pickleball, the game was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island outside Seattle. Three dads –Bill Bell, Barney McCallum, and Congressman Joel Pritchard — are credited with creating the game for their kids. Today, pickleball is played by singles or doubles teams using short paddles and a special perforated ball. The rules rely heavily on those of badminton and are governed by an international federation. In 2023, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association names pickleball the fastest-growing sport in the US for the third year in a row. People who are into pickleball get really, really into pickleball.
Join In the Fun!
Gather your teams and start practicing – the more participants, the merrier. You can expect great food, drink tickets, and entertainment at both events. Help us exceed our event goals and have fun doing it. Event registration will go live later this spring.
Interested in Throwdown or Paddle Palooza Sponsorship?
If you or your organization is interested in sponsoring the 2024 Paddle Palooza: Pickleball with a Purpose or the TPG Throwdown: Cornhole for a Cause, the Foundation has varying levels of corporate sponsorship. All are welcome to participate and enjoy the day with co-workers, staff, and employees. Contact TPG President Sarah Friend (sfriend@tpgrp.com) for questions or to complete your sponsorship.
About the TPG Throwdown: Cornhole For a Cause
At our first major fundraising event held in September 2022, the TPG Foundation raised $70,000 for its two beneficiaries. TPG President Sarah Friend said at the time, “We have dreamed of this day for years. Our goal was to raise $25,000 each for our beneficiaries and, through the generosity of our participants, sponsors, and spectators, we were able to better that goal.” In 2023, TPG’s Throwdown bettered its set $100,000 goal. Our third annual Throwdown will be held on September 5, 2024.
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