ROCK CLIMBING NEWS ITEM

Summertime Contributions for Kismet

TUESDAY, 19 AUGUST 2008

North Conway, NH - The Great Circle Foundation of New York recently awarded a grant of $10,000 to the New Hampshire-based non-profit Kismet Rock Foundation (Kismet). This, added to news of several other major donations, makes for a remarkable total of nearly $40,000 in contributions over the past two months.

The news came in the weeks following the Board of Directors' decision to initiate an organizational expansion process.

"The Great Circle Foundation has displayed great vision in their decision to support Kismet," says Ted Wroblewski, President of the Kismet's Board of Directors. "During this time of growth, a new major donation has incredible impact and lends leverage for further fundraising."

Kismet Rock Foundation, which operates in New Hampshire's Mount Washington Valley, offers educational rock climbing programs to children with limited financial means from around New England. The unique program provides a multi-year extra-curricular education, focused on rock climbing, to children as they progress through their teens and into adulthood.

"Kismet Rock Foundation is offering a unique and important educational program," says Jeannine Weinberg, Director of the Great Circle Foundation. "We were very excited to find an organization that gives underprivileged children an experience that will impact their confidence and their future and that they will always remember."

The Great Circle Foundation's contribution was earmarked for direct program support, as were recent significant contributions from the Robert and Dorothy Goldberg Charitable Foundation and the Nike Factory Store Community Grant Program. Other contributors making up this summer windfall include the Evenor Armington Trust and the Nelson Charitable Foundation, both long-time supporters of Kismet, and the Chairman's Committee To Support Youth Activities. Alberto Alesina and Susan Adler and Brian and Carolyn Irwin earmarked their contributions for Kismet's capacity building and expansion process.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, and the students whose lives continue to be enriched by our program, we thank these benevolent individuals and Foundations for their generous support," says Wroblewski.

Kismet's final summer program week, reserved for students scheduled to graduate from the program, is underway now in North Conway, NH.

Kismet Rock Foundation seeks applicants for a newly forming Advisory Board. To learn more about this, or about other volunteer or donor opportunities, contact Janet Bergman, Project Director, at janet@kismetrockfoundation.org or 603.986.9457. Visit www.kismetrockfoundation.org to learn more about Kismet programs or see images of students in action from this summer.