At the Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club (AOPC) meeting on October 30, 2025, members in attendance endorsed formation of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax exempt organization. Formation of a 501 (c) (3) will further club activities consistent with its mission, vision, and values. Potential actions include:

1. Expanding player communication and outreach through development of a website with access to newsletters, calendars, round robin fundraising, blogs for contacting other players, and links to Parks and Recreation Department and Commission meetings that address pickleball play in Ashland.

2. Conduct fundraising tournaments, eliminating the time and cost for the Parks Department to handle tournament sign-ups and fund management.

3. Pursue funding through grants, donations, and fund-raising tournaments for maintenance of the existing pickleball courts at Lithia Park and for development of additional pickleball courts in Ashland.

4. Facilitate application and receipt of grants available through public and private organizations.

Members were asked to vote on the question: “Should the Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club Organize and Operate as a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Organization?” Voting was held November 15 through December 14. Vote results are listed below.

MEMBER VOTE RESULTS: DECEMBER 14, 2025

Should the Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club Organize and Operate as a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Organization?

Meetings will be held on January 26, 2026 to confirm the vote and establish a plan of action to form the 501 (c)(3) organization. Forming a nonprofit requires bylaws be prepared and approved; bank accounts opened; documents filed and retained; insurance obtained; and a board of directors elected. A lawyer and certified public account may be required to assist, and a recordkeeping/accounting system be developed.

We estimate that the initial cost to establish the non-profit organization would be approximately $3,500 and the annual cost to operate the non-profit organization, using volunteer labor, would be approximately $1,500. Costs will include insurance, financial (tax service), and web site fees. The nonprofit would not hire employees but would use volunteers to fill various positions as described in the bylaws. Over the last three years, the AOPC has donated over $25,000 to the Ashland Parks Foundation (APF) specific to development and maintenance of pickleball in Ashland Oregon. The APF is willing to return $3,000 of the donations to provide seed money to offset the costs of forming the nonprofit organization.