Lace Up

LACE UP

let's get in the game

Home: Welcome

WHO WE ARE

Lace Up is an athletic non-profit that provides basic basketball equipment to underprivileged youth in the Los Angeles area. Through speaking with our local community, we have identified that the high cost of basketball sneakers and equipment has caused a barrier to entry for our local youth. A lack of proper equipment can cause athletes to become injured, stop playing, or never pick up the sport. Our mission is to provide underprivileged youth the equipment to play basketball in the Los Angeles area. It's that simple.

Here at Lace Up, we believe every child

deserves a chance to get in the game.

100% of donations go directly to the athletes

Home: About

OUR STORY

Lace Up was founded in 2021 with a mission to give every underprivileged youth in the Los Angeles area the opportunity to play basketball. Since its inception, Lace Up has donated equipment to more than 70 underserved youth in the Los Angeles Area and continues to build partnerships with local non-profit organizations, coaches, and programs that specialize in supporting underserved athletes.

Lace Up was a vision that grew from Kate and Tim’s interaction with their neighbor Jordan, a 15-year old basketball athlete raised by a single parent. Together, Tim and Jordan both turned to basketball during the pandemic. Tim saw firsthand the struggle of Jordan, as he outgrew his old shoes and worn down basketball but continued to return to the court with just as much grit and determination to become a better athlete. Jordan and his mother began connecting Kate and Tim with coaches, programs, and local families, which further demonstrated the need for an organization to provide basic basketball equipment to the community.

Today, with the help of Lace Up donors, Jordan is now a top performer on his varsity basketball team.

Basketball is not just a sport. It has the power to unlock educational opportunities, organizational and teamwork skills, and a lifetime of community and friendships. Whether an athlete is in a competitive basketball program or is picking up a basketball for the first time with the dreams of playing in the NBA, Lace Up is here to support them along the way.

MEET THE TEAM

KATE NAZARETH

Co-Founder

As Co-Founder of Lace Up, Kate focuses on

building relationships with local basketball coaches, developing marketing material, and setting our non-profit goals. With a background in M&A consulting and data analytics, Kate has extensive knowledge of financial due diligence, optimizing business operations, and partnering with brands. She is extremely passionate about people and working within her community.

Kate currently serves as the KPMG Women in Analytics Chair and a Diversity & Inclusion Leader for her organization.

TIM MALESKI

Co-Founder

Tim's love for basketball is the foundation of Lace Up.

As a former collegiate basketball player, Tim's life was shaped by basketball from the moment he began playing at age three. A 2020 graduate of the UCLA Anderson School of Management, Tim has a strong foundation in sports analytics, strategic planning, and working with other non-profits and youth organizations in the Los Angeles area.