For Immediate Release:
October 7, 2025
Contact: Evan Owens, eowens@omc.com
Los Angeles, CA – Last month, at the USC Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy’s Sports, Community and Philanthropy summit, Doug Kimmelman, founder of Lulu’s Place, joined colleagues from nationally-recognized organizations to discuss the future of the youth center and how it will serve as a model for sports and education, working hand-in-hand to empower young people.
Set to open in mid-2027, the state-of-the-art, 34-acre, academic and athletic complex is a $170 million investment in the future of Los Angeles youth, being funded entirely through private donations.
“We want the community to embrace this; it’s integral to put the education and athletic pieces together. For these kids to be surrounded by excellence is such a motivating thing,” said Doug Kimmelman.
During a fireside chat with Wendy Wachtell, Chair of Joseph Drown Foundation, Kimmelman highlighted how the legacy of his late wife, Carol “Lulu” Kimmelman, a public-school teacher, tennis player, and passionate advocate for kids, is driving this project to connect academic achievement with physical wellness and leadership development.
Pam Shriver, tennis broadcaster and member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, reflected on the mission and philanthropy of Lulu’s Place and its alignment with the USTA Foundation, where she served alongside Carol Kimmelman on the board.
“The partnership of sports…and academics together is incredibly powerful, and I want every youth in Los Angeles to be able to have access to a place like Lulu’s Place. It’s a game changer,” said Pam Shriver.
Lulu’s Place, in partnership with TGR Foundation, a Tiger Woods charity, will be home to a TGR Learning Lab, providing underserved students from elementary to high school access to high-quality STEAM education, along with career and college readiness resources. “We want to open their eyes to the opportunities they have, and we can help give them some focus on those opportunities,” said Michael McKee, Chairman of TGR Foundation and Vice Chairman of Lulu’s Place.
Tracy Austin, sports commentator and member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, spoke about the USTA West Coast headquarters moving to Lulu’s Place and what the campus will provide for students coming from up to 52 schools within a 10-mile radius of the site. “So many kids in this area will have a place to go to where they’re going to feel safe, they’re going to feel cared about and can develop all these character traits that are going to help them for the rest of their lives. That’s what Doug has been able to do, and Carol would be so proud of him and so proud of their four kids for doing this and making a big impact,” said Tracy Austin.
At Lulu’s Place, leading organizations are uniting to provide transformative resources that will uplift the entire community. More than a campus, it stands as a living tribute to Carol Kimmelman’s enduring legacy of compassion and vision—creating a place where thousands of under-resourced students across Los Angeles can unlock their potential, pursue their passions and thrive for generations to come.
About Lulu’s Place
Lulu’s Place will offer state-of-the-art facilities in Los Angeles, near LAX airport, that bring together academic, athletic, and wellness programs at little or no cost to under-resourced youth and families. Trusted partners, including TGR Foundation, a Tiger Woods charity; the USTA and its charitable arm USTA Foundation; Winward Academy; Cedars-Sinai; and Providence will bring professional teachers, coaches, mentors, and service providers to deliver high-quality programs to children and their families.
The vision for this monumental project is rooted in the passion and generosity of Carol Kimmelman, a Southern California native, former public elementary school teacher and lifelong tennis player who passed away in 2017 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Today, her husband, Doug Kimmelman, and their four children are honoring her legacy by advancing her mission to transform the lives of young people, creating greater equity in sports and education through this groundbreaking youth center.
Learn more at www.lulusplace.org