About US
Founded by sports champions and social activists Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss, the Billie Jean King Foundation builds on Billie Jean’s life-long quest to provide opportunities across sports, education, and overall supporting the next generation of game changing leaders.
At the Billie Jean King Foundation, we focus on the transformative power of sports, education, and activism. Our commitment to these pillars is deeply rooted in the remarkable journey of our founder, Billie Jean King.
As a trailblazing athlete, Billie Jean King’s impact transcended the tennis court. She shattered barriers and inspired millions, showcasing the profound influence and power of sports. From her legendary “Battle of the Sexes” match to her relentless advocacy for gender equality in sports, Billie Jean’s legacy underscores the critical role of athletics in fostering empowerment and driving social change.
Moreover, Billie Jean’s unwavering dedication to education reflects her belief in the power of knowledge to ignite change. She understands that education is not only a fundamental right but also a catalyst for progress. By supporting educational initiatives, we honor Billie Jean’s commitment to equipping individuals with the tools they need to succeed, both on and off the field.
Central to our mission is activism, a cornerstone of Billie Jean King’s legacy. Throughout her career, she fearlessly spoke out against injustice and fought for equality, blazing a trail for future generations of activists. By championing causes ranging from LGBTQ+ rights to gender equity, Billie Jean demonstrates the profound impact individuals can have when they use their platform for positive change.
We are proud to carry forward Billie Jean’s legacy by supporting sports, education, and activism. By leveraging these interconnected pillars, we strive to create a more equitable and inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Join us in honoring Billie Jean’s legacy and advancing her vision of a brighter future for all.
At the Billie Jean King Foundation, we focus on the transformative power of sports, education, and activism. Our commitment to these pillars is deeply rooted in the remarkable journey of our founder, Billie Jean King.
As a trailblazing athlete, Billie Jean King’s impact transcended the tennis court. She shattered barriers and inspired millions, showcasing the profound influence and power of sports. From her legendary “Battle of the Sexes” match to her relentless advocacy for gender equality in sports, Billie Jean’s legacy underscores the critical role of athletics in fostering empowerment and driving social change.
Moreover, Billie Jean’s unwavering dedication to education reflects her belief in the power of knowledge to ignite change. She understands that education is not only a fundamental right but also a catalyst for progress. By supporting educational initiatives, we honor Billie Jean’s commitment to equipping individuals with the tools they need to succeed, both on and off the field.
Central to our mission is activism, a cornerstone of Billie Jean King’s legacy. Throughout her career, she fearlessly spoke out against injustice and fought for equality, blazing a trail for future generations of activists. By championing causes ranging from LGBTQ+ rights to gender equity, Billie Jean demonstrates the profound impact individuals can have when they use their platform for positive change.
We are proud to carry forward Billie Jean’s legacy by supporting sports, education, and activism. By leveraging these interconnected pillars, we strive to create a more equitable and inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Join us in honoring Billie Jean’s legacy and advancing her vision of a brighter future for all.
Our Pillars
Billie Jean King’s Story
Named one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” by Life magazine and a 2009 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Billie Jean King is the founder of the Billie Jean King Foundation, part of the ownership groups of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angel City FC and a member of the Advisory Board of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She founded the Women’s Sports Foundation and the Women’s Tennis Association. In 2006, the National Tennis Center, home of the US Open, was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in honor of her accomplishments on and off the court. In 2017, Fox Searchlight released the critically acclaimed film, Battle of the Sexes, which depicts the cultural and social impact of the groundbreaking match.
In 2018, King received a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards. In 2019, the Billie Jean King Main Library opened in King’s hometown of Long Beach, California, and ESPN established the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award. In 2021, she received the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award and the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. In June 2022, she received France’s highest order of merit, the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur, from President Macron, and was inducted into the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Hall of Fame as a special contributor. King serves on the board of the Women’s Sports Foundation, is an adidas Global Ambassador and is the Honorary Lifetime President of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and a past member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. King is a New York Times best-selling author and her memoir, ALL IN: An Autobiography, was published by Knopf in 2021 and released in paperback in 2023.
