Keep Climbing Foundation
Helping Families Keep Climbing
THE ANNUAL FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE
Each annual climb turns a difficult mountain challenge into direct support for families facing childhood cancer.
Each year, the team takes on a challenge that demands preparation, trust, and perseverance. The mountain gives people something visible to rally around—and turns every step into momentum for families facing childhood cancer.
Our sponsors help cover expedition costs, allowing campaign dollars to stay focused on direct family assistance and the organizations serving children in treatment.
Some years we reach the summit. Some years the mountain says no. Either way, the purpose never changes. We do not climb for the summit. We climb for the kids.
The annual challenge gives supporters a concrete way to turn attention into practical help.
KCF reviews family requests and directs approved assistance toward eligible treatment-related needs.
$550K+
Raised since 2015
Hundreds
Families supported
1,000+
Individual and business donors
Ryan Kelley met Alec while volunteering at a children's hospital and decided to turn an unorthodox idea into a public commitment: climb Mount Rainier and use the challenge to raise money for kids who needed help now.
That first climb proved the model. People respond when the mission is visible, specific, and difficult enough to make the cause feel real.
“Families facing childhood cancer are carrying something that changes everything. That is why we climb. We take each step for families who need help.”
Keith Austin
KCF Board Member
Each annual climb turns a difficult mountain challenge into direct support for families facing childhood cancer. Every step helps raise awareness, rally donors, and move support toward families who need it.
2015
May 1, 2015
The first summit that established the fundraising model and proved people would rally around a visible challenge.
Raised over $14,000 · Mt. Rainier, 14,411′
2016
April 1, 2016
The team returned to Mount Rainier and showed the first climb was the beginning of an annual fundraising tradition.
Raised over $14,000 · Mt. Rainier, 14,411′
2017
April 1, 2017
A Colorado climb that kept the annual format moving and broadened the reach of the fundraiser.
Raised over $14,000 · Pikes Peak, 14,115′
2018
January 2, 2018
A Grand Teton ascent that pushed the event higher and helped the fundraising totals climb with it.
Raised over $30,000 · Grand Teton, 13,776′
2019
April 1, 2019
A major Ecuador climb paired with the Switching the Summit documentary.
Raised over $50,000 · Cotopaxi, 19,347′
2021
May 14, 2021
A climb on the Kahiltna Glacier that anchored More Than A Crown.
Raised over $64,000 · Kahiltna Glacier, Alaska
2022
August 16, 2022
A 20,000-foot Ecuador summit that raised money for St. Jude.
Raised over $55,000 · Chimborazo Peak, Ecuador
2023
September 26, 2023
A two-day Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim challenge that expanded the roster of beneficiary organizations.
Raised over $14,000 · Grand Canyon
2024
10th Annual Climb
The 10th annual climb reached the summit of Mount Baker and turned the milestone year into a new film about why the team keeps climbing.
Raised nearly $14,000 · Mount Baker, Washington
2025
2025 Climb
A seven-day Mexico expedition featuring climbs on Volcán La Malinche and Pico de Orizaba, raising more than $27,000 for families facing childhood cancer.
Raised over $27,000 · Volcán La Malinche + Pico de Orizaba, Mexico
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A few meaningful updates each month.