The Foundation

The fee doesn't go to Graham

Every penny from Graham’s talk goes directly to the Graham Keene Foundation. You don’t need to donate. Just book him.

The Graham Keene Foundation began in 2011, the year after Graham stepped away from his business career and long before Everest. The Foundation supports young people and the communities that shaped Graham’s own journey.

Its work begins with ambition – helping students build confidence, develop leadership skills and see what’s possible for their future. The aim is simple: to support ambitious young entrepreneurs and help them to dream big.

It extends to the wild places that inspired Graham, from the South West Coast Path to Exmoor National Park and the search and rescue teams who protect those landscapes.

And it reaches to Nepal’s mountain communities, supporting the Sherpas and their families who make climbs like Everest possible and backing organisations like Chora Chori based in Kathmandu, which gives vulnerable young women safety and education.

Across all its work the Foundation opens paths, expands opportunity and supports the people who carry the greatest burdens.

What the Foundation backs

From Devon to the Himalayas

Three threads run through the work – the young people just getting started, the wild places that shaped Graham, and the mountain communities who make the climbing possible.

Young entrepreneurs in the South West

Graham built a global business from Devon at a time when that wasn’t expected. The Foundation helps the next young entrepreneurs do it faster.

We are hugely grateful to the Graham Keene Foundation for its generous philanthropic support of the University of Exeter’s Student Startup Programme. This investment will help nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs, providing students with the skills, confidence and opportunities to transform innovative ideas into impactful ventures that benefit our communities and economy.

Head of Student Entrepreneurship
University of Exeter

The wild places that started it

The South West Coast Path, Exmoor National Park and the search and rescue teams who go out in the dark when somebody else’s day goes wrong.

On behalf of Exmoor National Park Authority and everyone who enjoys Exmoor I want to say a massive thank you to Graham and his Foundation. Their generous donation to this project gave us the impetus we needed to get this bridge built. It is our largest investment in public infrastructure for decades and has been welcomed by the many people that enjoy access along this beautiful part of the Barle Valley.

Dan Barnett
Access and Recreation Manager

Nepal's mountain communities

Nobody summits Everest on their own. The Foundation supports the Sherpas and their families who make climbs like Graham’s possible – and who carry the risk long after the clients have flown home.

It has also supported Chora Chori, a refuge and children’s home in Kathmandu, giving young women at serious risk a safe place and a route to an education.

How it's funded

We're not asking the public for money

The Foundation is funded by Graham’s speaking gigs. If you want to support this work – book him for your next event. Thank you.

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