THE MISSION OF THE ALEX LOWE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION.
“Alex Lowe was not only perhaps the
greatest alpinist of his time, he was also a man who had a remarkable
impact on many of the people indigenous to the high mountain regions
where his expeditions took him. His sheer enthusiasm for adventure
and compassion for the difficult lives led by these people stands
as a continuing inspiration for those who knew and admired Alex.
The Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation, Inc.
(referred to by its initials “ALCF”) is dedicated to
preserving his legacy by providing direction and financial support
to sustainable, community based humanitarian programs which are
designed to help the people who live in these remote regions of
the world.
The ALCF was created shortly after Alex’s
death by his wife, Jennifer Lowe. It is a not-for-profit corporation
based in Jenni and Alex’s home state of Montana. The Foundation
will soon be applying for status as a tax deductible entity pursuant
to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The first project for the ALCF is already
underway. The board of directors is working hard to bring an outdoor
education program to Mongolia in August 2000. Working with the
assistance of The Alpine Club of Mongolia, the Mongolian National
Park Service, and at least one or two internationally prominent
climbers, the ALCF will help organize and provide initial funding
for the project. The program will expose Mongolian youth to their
own rich culture and tradition in such outdoor activities as horsemanship
and archery, as well as promoting interest in rock climbing and
mountaineering.
The ALCF will raise funds from private donors,
corporate sponsors and many fund raising events. A major effort
in this regard will be the creation of a book about Alex Lowe
and his life, the sale proceeds from which will be donated to
the foundation.
In the future, the ALCF will continue to
work to create new programs to assist and improve the lives of
the people who live in the remote areas of the world which are
sought out by explorers and adventurers like Alex. It will also
fund programs which meet these goals which are sponsored and managed
by other organizations. These efforts will likely include supporting
school construction, the development of health care facilities
and other types of social service assistance.
Alex Lowe was blessed with unique gifts:
the ability to climb the world’s most challenging peaks,
and the capacity to connect with, and love, the people he met
in some of the most remote areas of the world. His foundation
will carry on his spirit of adventure, and most importantly, his
spirit of love."