Climbing Mountains. Changing Lives.
Climbing to Change Lives.
What started as a mountain fundraiser for one child fighting cancer has become a nonprofit focused on giving families direct financial relief when treatment turns life upside down.
Mission
A hard challenge is how the story gets attention.
The foundation’s strongest asset is not a generic nonprofit template. It is the credibility that comes from doing something visibly difficult on behalf of families who are doing something far harder.
What began in 2015 as a simple idea — climbing mountains to raise money for kids fighting cancer — has grown into the Keep Climbing Foundation.
Thanks to the generosity of donors and corporate partners, our climbs have raised over $500,000 to support children and families battling this disease.
Now we are taking our mission higher with a scholarship program that helps families by directly paying medical bills during treatment.
$500K+
Raised since 2015
10+
Charitable partners supported
1,000+
Individual and business donors
Origin
How it all began
Before the foundation, Ryan Kelley and a small group of friends took on a mountain to raise funds and awareness for Alec Ingram, a boy battling cancer.
That first climb established a pattern that still defines the organization: use a hard challenge to create practical help for families facing an even harder one.
“Over 18,000 children will be diagnosed with cancer next year. We believe that one is too many, and that is why we climb for the kids.”
Ryan Kelley
President & Founder
Featured Films
Stories that make the mission tangible.
The climb works because the story is visible. Film is how the foundation turns effort into something people can witness, share, and support.
10 Years and Still Climbing
A look at the latest annual climb and the deeper reason the team keeps returning to the mountains.
2021 CFTK, More Than A Crown
A documentary anchored in Elizabeth Weidner’s story and the team’s Alaska climb for childhood cancer support.
2019 CFTK, Switching the Summit
A film about pediatric cancer research and the 2019 climb in Ecuador on Cotopaxi Volcano.
Keep Climbing - The Film
An outdoor story with First Descents alumni centered on resilience, teamwork, and summiting together.
3 Ways to Help
A small set of actions with direct impact.
Choose the path that fits you best and help move support closer to families who need it.
2
Climb with us
Follow the annual climb and step into the story that powers the organization’s fundraising engine.
3
Spread the mission
Follow the foundation and help more families discover the work through films, updates, and campaign storytelling.
Every dollar counts
Charitable partners the foundation has supported over the years.
The climb exists to move money and attention toward organizations that care for children and families in moments of medical crisis.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Leading the way in pediatric cancer treatment and research, with survival rates transformed over decades of work.
Fisher House Foundation
Provides free comfort homes for military and veteran families while a loved one is receiving care.
Team Alec Forever
Financially supports childhood cancer families in the St. Louis area, especially in moments of profound need.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Helps families stay together and close to the care their children need during a medical crisis.
First Descents
Creates life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and serious health conditions.
Friends of Kids with Cancer
Enriches the daily lives of children undergoing treatment for cancer and blood-related diseases.
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