The American Himalayan Foundation

The amazing and inspirational Sir Edmund Hillary died today, leaving the world a better place than he found it.
He was actively involved with the equally amazing American Himalayan Foundation, a non-​profit based right here in San Francisco that works hard to improve the lives of the Nepalese, Tibetans and Sherpas living in the remote and beautiful Himalayan region where the world’s highest mountains are found.
This is a place where the population lives without some of the most basic necessities and where there has also been a lot of pressure on the natural environment. The AHF was founded nearly 30 years ago by climbers who visited the area and were determined to improve the lives of the people living in the shadow of this incredible landscape. Over the years, they have built schools and health clinics, housing, clean water systems, planted trees and rebuilt monasteries.
Most years they have a benefit dinner where they have some great speakers. I have been to these a few times and have heard lectures from Sir Edmund Hillary, Bill Clinton, Jon Krakauer, Jamling Tenzing Norgay, and Diane Feinstein (her husband, Dick Blum, is Chair of the AHF). Other speakers over the years have included the Dalai Lama, Al Gore and Jimmy Carter.
The AHF is a great organization with very low administrative overhead doing some very worthwhile work. Check them out.
And rest in peace, Sir Edmund.